What Card Games Were Played in Medieval Times?

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By Monica Bates

When we think of card games, we often associate them with modern times. However, card games have actually been played for centuries – even in medieval times. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular card games that were played during this era.

Tarot
One of the most well-known card games from medieval times is Tarot. Originally used for divination purposes, Tarot cards became popular as a game in Italy during the 15th century. The game involves players using their intuition to predict which cards will be pulled from the deck.

Ruff and Honours
Another popular medieval card game was Ruff and Honours. This game was played with a standard deck of cards and involved players bidding on how many tricks they could win. The highest bidder would then choose a trump suit, and players would try to win tricks by playing cards from their hand.

Triumph

Triumph was another game that was played with a standard deck of cards. It was similar to Ruff and Honours, but instead of bidding on how many tricks they could win, players bid on which suit would be the trump suit for that round.

Maw

Maw was a trick-taking game that was played with an unusual deck of cards. The deck consisted of only 20 cards – four suits with five cards each. The object of the game was to win as many tricks as possible.

  • Gameplay: Players would begin by cutting the deck to determine who would deal first.
  • The Deal: Each player would receive five cards from the dealer.
  • Bidding: Players would then bid on how many tricks they thought they could win based on their hand.
  • Playing: The player who won the bid would lead the first trick, and players would take turns playing cards from their hand.
  • Scoring: At the end of each round, players would tally up their tricks. The player who won the most tricks would earn points based on their bid.

Conclusion

Card games have been enjoyed for centuries, and medieval times were no exception. From Tarot to Maw, there were a variety of games that were played during this era. While some of these games may seem unfamiliar to modern players, they provide a glimpse into the rich history of card games and how they have evolved over time.