When is National Card Playing Day?

Thursday December 28th

On December 28th, National Card Playing Day encourages us to take a hand and play a game or two.

NATIONAL CARD PLAYING DAY – December 28

The Chinese began making games with money and other paper items in the 9th century. These early playing cards have no resemblance to the sturdier European playing cards that appeared a few decades ago.

Card games are popular around the world in a variety of shapes and styles. The decks were divided into four classes of coins, cups, swords, sticks, or batons from Egypt's intricate Mamluk designs to the unveiling of the first playing cards during the Early Renaissance in Europe.

When is National Solitaire Day? Today's modern decks of playing cards were created from these four suits. Theories vary from how the suits converted to hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. According to one theory, the suits represent the various classes of the period – clergy, aristocracy, military, and peasantry.