National Card Playing Day
National Card Playing Day
Celebrated on 28th December, the National Card Playing Day is observed to acknowledge those deck of cards that came to your rescue when life got monotonous. These sleek looking cards have evolved and have been a staple when it comes to indoor games.
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2020 | 28th December | Monday | United States |
2021 | 28th December | Tuesday | United States |
2022 | 28th December | Wednesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalCardPlayingDay
#CardPlayingDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on December 28th:
Why Card Playing Day?
Across the seven continents of the world regardless of whether you are rich or poor, young or old, almost everyone alive on this planet would have been part of a game of cards or at least witnessed one. Besides entertainment, some shady hippies claim that the tarot playing cards can even give you a sneak-peek into the future. But let’s stick to the known for now.
Handling money with shrewdness has always been a big game in the business world. How about literally gaming with Money? The origin of the playing cards can be traced back to 9th century China where these cards were made from paper or money. From the Eastern land, the game spread like a virus, taking different styles and shapes.
By the late 14th century the cards sailed to the European shores and became popular in cities like Paris and Florence. These cards were sturdier and bore little resemblance to their Chinese counterparts. Cards with Mamluk designs were popular in Egypt and during the Moghal period, the card game Ganjifa was very popular in India. These cards were starkly different from the playing cards that we use today.
If you travel back to the 15th century, you might faintly recognize the playing cards as it resembles the modern style decks. During the years 1418-1450 printed card decks were commercially produced in Nuremberg, Ulm & Augsburg, thanks to the invention of the printing press. Complex designs and symbols like shields, hearts acorns and bells, were replicated with ease using printing technology. Packs of cards were now available for purchase and the game became a favorite pastime for the common man too.
An English influence resulted in the addition of clubs and spaders to the traditional suit. By 1628 the playing cards became an indispensable commodity as card makers strived to make the cards appealing to every crowd, employing user-friendly designs. In the past playing cards was synonymous with gambling and scandals, frowned upon by the governments even to the point of banning them. Though gambling and wagers aren’t extinct per se, in recent years it has gained the status of an innocent pastime with friends and family.
With a single deck of playing cards, you have a grand collection of card games at your disposal. Each game tests a different skill set and even the choosiest people can find a type of card game that they can enjoy. This day celebrates the game that has won the hearts of people all around the world, a blessing in disguise to enjoy the cold winter days with your loved ones.
How To Observe National Card Playing day
- Be A Gambit!
Like the popular Marvel comics character, master your card gaming and handling skills! You can involve in activities like card throwing, cardistry, or even build a card house.
- Gamble without Shamble
Play an interesting card game like Solitaire, Spite, and Malice, Spoons, Gin Rummy, Ridge, poker, etc with your friends and family without jeopardizing your bank balance. You can also play online card games with distant friends, family.
- Some fame for the game
Share your favorite card game, photos and videos of your celebration using #NationalCardPlayingDay #CardPlayingDay
Interesting Facts On National Card Playing Day
Here are interesting facts surrounding the National Card Playing Day!
- The decks were largely divided into four suits of coins, cups, swords and batons in the Renaissance epoch. The modern suite consists of hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs are said to develop from these suits. Some theories suggest that the suits are representative of the prevalent classes of the era- peasantry, clergy, military, and aristocracy.
- The term ‘poker face’ is inspired by the card game poker. In the game, the players try to maintain an expressionless face so as not to give away hints on their weakness or strength.
- According to Columbia University, there are about 6000 types of decks across 50 countries.
- The playing cards sent by the US to the imprisoned Soldiers in German camps peeled to reveal maps for their escape during World War II
History Of National Card Playing Day
The origin of this day remains unknown, seems like the tarot cards and divination can’t demystify this gap in history.