Diving into the Rich Tapestry of Popular Card Games and their Intriguing Origins From Across the Globe

The Arrival of Cards in Europe

The introduction of playing cards to Europe in the 14th century marked a significant turning point. Originating from the Islamic societies of the Middle East, these cards were initially used for divination before evolving into tools for gameplay. The four suits we recognize today - hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades - emerged in France around the late 15th century, becoming the standard for most Western card games.