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Stories about the Spanish deck, the rules explained plainly, details about our decks and project news.




Culture ·
Banned and censored playing cards through history
From the earliest medieval ordinances to the Crown’s monopoly, playing cards have been banned, taxed and closely watched. We look back at the history of these restrictions.
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Rules and concepts ·
What is a points-based game?
A points-based game is played over several hands until someone reaches an agreed total. From hands and games to points, sets and matches, each game has its own way of keeping score. Here’s how it works in some of the most popular Spanish card games.
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Spanish history and leisure ·
How did the Romans in Hispania have fun?
Dice, knucklebones, board games, baths, theatre and chariot racing: explore how the people of Roman Hispania spent their leisure time and what traces of their games have been found across the Iberian Peninsula.
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Game psychology ·
Why do we love competing so much?
Competing in a card game taps into something deeply human. We explore what psychology and anthropology say about the pleasure of competition, and why it goes hand in hand with having fun together.
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Tutorials ·
How to avoid arguments during a card game
A card game wouldn’t be the same without a bit of rivalry, but it’s much better without rows. Here are some simple tips to keep things friendly around the table.
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