A deck of cards is one of the most versatile games ever invented. With just 52 cards, you can play hundreds of games, from quick rounds of Go Fish to serious poker tournaments. National Card Playing Day, on December 28, celebrates the joy of shuffling, dealing and playing. It falls in the quiet days between Christmas and New Year's, when families are often together with time to spare, making it a perfect excuse for a game night.
History of National Card Playing Day
Playing cards are believed to have originated in China during the Tang dynasty, around the 9th century, possibly developing from paper dominoes or money. Card games spread west along trade routes, and by the late 1300s cards had reached Europe, likely through the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, whose cards had suits like cups, coins, swords and polo sticks.
European card makers adapted the designs. Italian and Spanish decks used suits of cups, coins, swords and batons, still used in some regions today. German decks used hearts, bells, leaves and acorns. Around the 1480s, French card makers introduced the suits of hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades, which became the standard in much of the world, largely because they were simpler to print.
In the United States, card manufacturing grew in the 19th century, and features like corner indices, which let players hold cards in a fan, and the joker became standard. Today, card games range from classic family games to competitive tournaments, and solitaire was famously bundled with personal computers, introducing millions to the game. Who created National Card Playing Day isn't documented.
Why National Card Playing Day Matters
Card games bring people of all ages together around a table, encouraging conversation, friendly competition and laughter.
They're also great for the brain, building memory, strategy, maths and decision-making skills. And a deck of cards is cheap and portable, ideal for travel.
How to Celebrate National Card Playing Day
- Host a game night: play a mix of easy and strategic games.
- Teach a classic: introduce children to Crazy Eights, Go Fish or War.
- Learn a new game: try Spades, Euchre, Rummy, Cribbage or Bridge.
- Play solitaire: enjoy a relaxing game of Klondike or FreeCell.
- Learn a card trick to amaze friends and family.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a card-game lunch break can be a low-key team-building activity, and remote teams can play simple online card games together. In classrooms, card games are excellent for teaching maths skills, from counting and addition with younger students to probability with older students. Teachers can also use the history of playing cards in lessons about trade and cultural exchange. At home, make the most of the holiday break with a family card tournament, rotating through games so everyone gets to pick a favorite. Grandparents can teach games they played as children, passing down traditions. Keep a deck of cards in the car or travel bag for future trips.
Fun Facts About National Card Playing Day
- Playing cards likely originated in Tang dynasty China around the 9th century.
- The French suits of hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades date to around the 1480s.
- Corner indices let players read cards in a fanned hand.
National Card Playing Day FAQs
When is National Card Playing Day?
National Card Playing Day is December 28.
Where did playing cards come from?
They're believed to have originated in Tang dynasty China around the 9th century.
What are good card games for kids?
Go Fish, Crazy Eights, War, Old Maid and Slapjack are easy for children to learn.
Why are there four suits?
Four-suit decks came from early Mamluk and European designs, and the French suits became the global standard.