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

7 de Copas de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es2 de Copas de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es

Rules and concepts ·

What is a discard in card games?

Discarding involves getting rid of cards that do not help improve your hand. We explain how it works in Chinchón (a Rummy-style game), Mus (a popular bluffing game), and others, and how to read your opponents' discards.

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As de Oros de una baraja de Lascuarenta.esRey de Espadas de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es

Spanish history and leisure ·

Charles III, Monopolies and Card Smuggling

In the 18th century, playing cards were State business. Only official decks were valid, sparking a boom in smuggling. Here is how it worked.

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As de Oros de una baraja de Lascuarenta.esAs de Bastos de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es

Playing cards ·

The first playing card factories in Spain

Before the major factories, there were family workshops, guilds, and royal monopolies. Discover where and how cards were made in Spain.

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Rey de Bastos de una baraja de Lascuarenta.esSota de Copas de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es

Playing cards ·

What was the Spanish deck like before Fournier?

Before 1889, there was no single baraja española (Spanish deck), but many. Each workshop had its own style. We explore what those early cards were like.

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As de Oros de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es7 de Oros de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es7 de Oros de una baraja de Lascuarenta.es

Spanish deck ·

How many types of Spanish decks exist?

40 cards, 48, 52, 36... The Spanish deck has more versions than you think. We explain what each one is used for.

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You might also like the rules of each game and the illustrated decks.