Family · Cards

Card games: from Tang dynasty China to the casino table

Playing cards began in Tang dynasty China and later reached Europe. This family follows them to the tables they built: Vingt-et-un and blackjack, the long history of poker, and mahjong.

4 guides in the family0 playable here

All six game families

GameVingt-et-Un: The Original French Card Game That Became BlackjackExplore Vingt-et-Un (Twenty-One), the 18th-century French card game that is the direct and undisputed ancestor of modern Blackjack. Learn how its rules and objective laid the foundation for the world's most popular casino banking game.
HistoryHistory of Mahjong: From Ancient Social Game to Casino ClassicTrace the complete history of Mahjong from its Chinese origins to modern casino floors. Learn about the game's evolution, cultural significance, and enduring popularity.
HistoryThe History of Playing Cards: From Tang Dynasty to Modern PokerTrace the complete history of playing cards from Tang Dynasty China through Mamluk Egypt to European courts. Discover the origins of card suits, Hanafuda, Tarot, and the modern 52-card deck.
HistoryThe History of Poker: From Persian As-Nas to the World SeriesTrace the origins of poker from Persian As-Nas through French Poque to the modern World Series. Discover how this card game became the world's most popular gambling game.