On the cards

X seems to have originated from a particular form of the card game Euchre. In this game, which began in Alsace-Lorraine, two Jacks of the same color are designated as being especially powerful.

What?

Joker card

In a verb sense, the phrase ‘To pull a king of hearts’ would mean to commit suicide. Why so?

Sword through the head – Was originally an axe

Bonus Question: Talking about bad copying down the years, what other design flaw resulted specifically with the king of hearts

Connect

The Globus Cruciger – Royal Orb

The term X was first used in the game of All Fours where it is the name of the point awarded for winning a trick containing the knave of trumps. X continued to used, since it made it easier when card makers decided to indicate the value index of the card in its two corners.

X?

Jack

Bonus Questions:1. Which mythological figure is the Jack of Diamonds? (Clue – Picture below)

2. X is a euphemistic term that crossed over from cricket into mainstream English. Term is a reference to batting order. X?

Bonus Questions:1. Hector

2. Last man Jack , Every man Jack

This practice first began under the reign of King James I who passed a law requiring some sort of insignia as proof of payment of a tax on local manufacture of cards. This tax was discontinued in 1960, but the legacy continues. How?

Ornately designed Ace of Spades with manufacturers name

Bonus Questions1. This term originates from the Italian word for sword. However its representation was changed to what is currently popular to avoid any confusion in English.What?

2. German – Bells, Acorns; English - ?

1. Spade

2. German – Bells, Acorns; English – Diamonds, Clubs

Connect

Jack of Clubs

Tyrolean hat

A phrase owing its origin to a warrior’s practice of adding something to his head gear after every enemy slain

Feather in cap

The United States Poker Company debuted a new line of plastic cards called ‘PokerPeek’ at the 2007 World Series of Poker. This line had a design innovation to aid poker players.

What was the innovation?

The ‘Aviator’ line of cards was released in 1927 by the USPC and are renowned for their smooth finish. They are often sold in airports.It was introduced in commemoration of what?

Lindbergh’s flight

These decks are made for Bridge or whist because they are perceived to reduce the risk of a player accidentally revoking (illegally playing a card of a suit other than that led). They are also commonly used in Poker as they help in recognizing ‘certain combinations’ easier.

What innovation?

4 colour decks

This deck of cards was commissioned by X and were first released in 2005. The back design features a subtle two-way image. Some of the court cards feature special faces; The King of Spades is X, The Queen of Hearts is his mother and jokers are illusions. X?

David Blaine

Poker hand Nicknames

• Set of two cards• Guess the cards with the nick• For ex. American Airlines is AA,

Pair of snowmen is 88 and so on

• Anna Kournikova

• Blackjack

• Baskin Robbins

• Brokeback

• Bachelor’s hand

• Dogs

• Oedipus

• Motown

• Wayne Gretzky

• Good Lover

• Dolly Parton

• San Francisco

• Orwell

• Heinz

• Gilchrist

• Bomber

• Luke Skywalker

• The Answer

• Michael Jordan