PLAYING CARDS

Imagine, if you will, a time when tablets, smart phones and computers didn’t exist. There were no handheld electronic games or even television to occupy your time. How on earth did people pass their time, you might wonder? Well, for much of the 19th century and well into the 20th century, one of the most common and popular forms of entertainment was playing cards.

Sadly, by the 21st century, decks of cards had become a novelty. Instead of taking pride of place in the home, cards nowadays are usually banished to a junk drawer in the spare room or a dusty box of curiosities in the garage.

This does little to reflect their true status in society, spanning at least the last 1000 years. Few popular pastimes have quite the dramatic history of playing cards.

Over the centuries it’s been claimed they were the invention of the Devil, nefarious soothsayers or gypsies determined to bring ruin to the lives of mortal men. In reality, it’s China we can credit with the invention of playing cards in about the 10th century ad. From there, they spread to the Middle East and into Europe some three to four centuries later.

Initially, playing cards were as much a status symbol for the royal families of Europe as they were a means of entertainment. So fiercely did the rich and influential guard their treasured pastime that a ban was placed on the lower classes from playing cards on any occasion other than public holidays.

Originally handcrafted, the mass production of playing cards was made possible by the invention of the printing press in the 14th century. This made them cheaper and contributed to their increasing popularity.

Into the 20th century, the Depression and two world wars ensured that playing cards remained at the forefront of entertainment. A pack of cards cost little, gave the option of solo or multiple-player games, and was great for taking your mind off your troubles. You could even play by candlelight if a bombing raid had taken out the electricity.

My own introduction to playing cards came when, aged nine, I was off sick from school for a month.

To make certain I didn’t suffer from boredom or lapse into self-pity, my ever-resourceful mum produced a pack of playing cards. It was a masterstroke. Because I couldn’t move around, I was a captive audience. My young brain soaked up the strategies, rules and terminology like a sponge.

We began by playing cribbage, a game that dates back to the early 17th century and is as addictive now as anything you are ever likely to encounter on a computer. Other games followed, including rummy, German whist and old maid, and – so I wouldn’t be entirely dependent on her company – Mum also introduced me to single-player games such as clock, roll call and patience.

HOW TO GET THE CARDS HABIT

•  Don’t rely on finding that pack of cards you know exists somewhere in the house – go and treat yourself to the pleasure of a new, pristine deck.

•  Brush up on the rules of card games. The internet is a useful resource, and there are plenty of good books on card games around.

•  Organise a time with your partner, friends or children to dedicate to the activity.

•  Make the experience special – turn off electronic devices, and have decent food and drink available.

•  Consider joining a local bridge group or put on regular card nights of your own.

•  When you have time alone, give your eyes a break from screens and have a game of solitaire with real cards.

•  If you’re travelling, take a deck of cards with you. They can help pass the time on long train, plane or bus trips – whether you are by yourself or with a loved one.

Even after my recovery, I maintained an interest in cards. While other children obsessed over Donkey Kong and Pacman, I agitated for evening sessions of cribbage. As a young adult travelling overseas, I always ensured a deck of playing cards was in my luggage.

The beauty of playing cards for a modern-day audience lies in both their simplicity and sophistication. For schoolkids, for example, they can help teach maths, encourage pro-active thought, strategy, and promote quality time with friends, siblings or parents. And taking time to play cards is a pleasure – just imagine switching off the television and electronic devices to focus on a battle of skill between yourself and a loved one.