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Stories about the Spanish deck, the rules explained plainly, details about our decks and project news.
Culture ·
Did the Arabs bring playing cards to the Iberian Peninsula?
It is often said that the Arabs brought playing cards to Spain. We look at the evidence behind the claim: the Mamluk deck, the word ‘naipe’ and what the records tell us.
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Spanish deck ·
How modern playing cards are made
Card stock with an opaque core, offset printing, varnishing, cutting and rounded corners: we take you step by step through how a pack of playing cards is made today.
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Rules and concepts ·
What is a round in card games?
A round usually means one turn for every player, but it can also cover an entire deal. Here’s how rounds, hands and tricks differ, and how these terms are used in Spanish card games.
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Game psychology ·
Card games and memory: why playing helps you remember
Remembering which cards have been played is key to many games. We explain which types of memory you exercise when you play and why it is a useful workout at any age.
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Table games ·
The history of damas (draughts): from alquerque to cafés
Damas (draughts) is one of the world’s most widely played board games. Discover its roots in alquerque (an early form of draughts), its development on the Iberian Peninsula and the first book devoted to the game.
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