The Standard Playing Card Deck

A standard deck of playing cards is made up of fifty two cards. All of these cards are individually identified by three different characteristics. Suit, number and colour.

Initially the cards can be categorised by number. Starting at 2 and working up sequentially to 10, the cards are then given a royal position instead of a number. The 11 becomes a Jack, 12 is a Queen and 13 is a King. Following these the Ace is in the 14 position.

These are then separated into four groups of cards called suits. These suits are Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spade. Each suit has one card of each number.

Finally the cards are coloured. The Hearts and the Diamonds are red and the Clubs and Spades are Black.

Using these three characteristics a player can identify any card, be it an 8 of Clubs, King of Diamonds, or just a red 3.