Card games like blackjack, poker, baccarat and pai gow poker are some of the most popular gambling games. We play these card games as often as we can and enjoy the thrill and fun they offer us. But have you ever wondered where these playing cards came from? Who invented them? Well, it was the Chinese who first invented playing cards and paper money. But another interesting fact is that the two used to be the same thing. A document that dates back to the 9th century claims that to pass the time, the princess of the Tang Dynasty used to play a “leaf game” with members of the Wei clan.
It is believed that these game cards were the ancient Chinese “Money Cards” and interestingly enough, these cards had four suits. From then on the idea of the playing cards has been duplicated by many other countries and cultures. It was when the playing cards made its way across the Mediterranean and into Europe and finally to France that the modern deck was designed and developed.