Card games are extremely popular around the globe. They are used in everything, from parlor games to gambling. However, the traditional set of 52 playing cards used in the West has seeped into popular culture, influencing music, cinema, design, and the English language itself. We discuss these terms in the article below.
Suit
A deck is made of 52 playing cards. These are divided into four suits. Suits are made of hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. Each suit has an ace, the numbers 2-10, then a jack, queen, and king.
In many games, the suits are not as important as card values. Yet in games like real money poker, they are vital. Playing in person or online, the suits let you access higher hands like a straight flush. This involves getting five cards in order of value that are all the same suit.
In the English language, a suit can also refer to a garment worn for formal occasions. You may also find it used to describe something that seems to fit a person well. For example, you may say “That hat really suits you”.
Ace
One ace is found in every suit. It acts as the value of one and an eleven or higher, depending on the game. Aces are vital in games such as blackjack, where players must try to reach values like 21 with multiple cards. Having a card that can be two values adds an extra level of strategy to proceedings.
In popular culture, the ace of spades has come to be symbolic. While there is a famous rock song about it which may have helped, though it also has historical connections. The ace of spades was used as a stamp to show tax had been paid in 17th century England.
A common phrase you may hear in conversation is that a person has an “Ace up their sleeve”. This means they have something special that might be pulled out or used when needed. For example, if a tennis player has a famous backhand shot, someone may say it is the “Ace up their sleeve”.
Set
A set is a collection of cards that players may try to accumulate during a game or round. In poker, this is often also known as a hand. Different sets, or hands, have differing worth within games. For example, a set (Hand) in poker of three cards of the same value, with two other cards of a matching value, is known as a full house.
This word is also used to describe a collection of any other object or numerical system. There are sets in tennis scoring. You may buy a selection of cups and saucers, which are often known as a tea set.
There are plenty of other card decks. However, aside from the more occult tarot cards, few have had the impact on language and design the 52-card deck has. The best way to learn these words is to play a game using them with friends or family and make sure to speak in English using your new terminology.
