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Playing Cards 101: How Many Cards In A Deck Are There?

writerize.comSeptember 9, 2024

Even if you’ve never played a game of poker or blackjack, you must have seen card games played in casinos in movies and on television. Have you ever wondered how many cards in a deck are there?

Your curiosity has led you to the right place! Learn the count of a typical deck of cards and discover various games!

The Standard Deck Of Playing Cards

There are 52 cards in a standard deck. They are split into 4 suits, each with its own symbol and color. The hearts and diamonds are red, while the clubs and spades are black.

Each family in this deck is quite large, boasting exactly 13 cards. They range from numbers 2 through 10 to the high-ranking court cards: the jack, queen, and king. At the top, or perhaps outside the traditional hierarchy, is the ace.

The ace is sometimes the low card, sometimes the high card, depending on the game you’re playing. For example, in Cribbage, it counts as a low card.

The Jokers

The two jokers are the wild cards. These unpredictable ones do not usually appear in most card games, but they do come in handy in rummy games such as canasta.

With them included, the deck grows to a total of 54 cards.

Card Decks from Around the World

Now, let’s take a quick trip around the globe and explore the variety of card decks used in different cultures.

Tarot Deck

While many associate tarot cards with predicting the future, they’re also used for a special type of card game in Europe.

A traditional tarot deck has 78 cards. There are 56 minor arcana cards, similar to the French deck, and an additional 22 major arcana cards, which are unique to tarot and feature symbolic images and titles like ‘The Fool’ and ‘The Lovers’.

Spanish Deck

Popular in Spain and Hispanic cultures, the Spanish deck, or ‘Baraja’, is unique. It usually contains 48 cards, but sometimes you’ll find decks with 40 or 50.

They’re divided into four suits: cups, coins, swords, and clubs. Each suit has 12 cards, but the 8s and 9s are often removed in the 40-card version.

Italian Deck: Rich in History

The Italian deck, often used for traditional games like Scopa, is steeped in history.

There are typically 40 cards in this deck. It features four suits: cups, swords, coins, and clubs. Each suit has ten cards: seven numbered cards and three face cards, which are the knave, knight, and king.

German Deck: A Different Set of Symbols

In Germany, card players use a deck that looks a bit different. The German deck has 32 cards and is called a ‘Skat’ deck after the popular game.

The suits in this deck are hearts, bells, acorns, and leaves. Each suit has eight cards, ranging from 7 to 10, plus the three ornate face cards: the Unter (under), Ober (over), and King.

Other Types Of Card Games and Their Card Counts

There are additional Card games, each with unique rules and card counts that influence gameplay.

UNO

UNO uses a specialized deck of 108 cards featuring colors and numbers, as well as action cards that create exciting combinations and strategic plays.

Players aim to be the first to deplete their hand, making the game fast-paced and engaging for all ages.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is typically played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game can accommodate 2 to 7 players. Each player is dealt a hand of 5 to 7 cards, depending on the number of participants.

The objective is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by matching the rank or suit of the card on the discard pile, adding an exciting twist to the traditional card-playing experience.

Pinochle

Another intriguing card game is Pinochle, typically played with a 48-card deck made up of two copies of the 9 through Ace cards from each suit.

This game emphasizes forming combinations of cards known as melds, and it requires skillful bidding and teamwork if played in partnerships. The strategic depth makes Pinochle a favorite among card enthusiasts.