Naipes

Naipes are a set of playing cards used for a wide range of games, gambling, and, in some traditions, fortune-telling. A typical Western deck contains 52 cards divided into four suits, each with 13 ranks from Ace to King. Many decks include one or more Jokers that can serve as wild cards or special cards depending on the game.

Regional variations exist. In Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions, traditional decks differ from the common 52-card French deck. The Spanish deck uses four suits—oros, copas, espadas, y bastos—with 40 or 48 cards and face cards labeled Sota, Caballo, and Rey. Portuguese decks use similar suits (copas, espadas, ouros, paus) and distinct naming and rankings. The French or English-style deck, with hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, and ranks Ace through King, became standard in many parts of the world.

History and development. Playing cards are believed to have originated in Asia and spread to the Islamic world before reaching Europe in the late medieval period. By the 15th century, European manufacturers began standardizing deck compositions, with the French design eventually dominating many regions. Jokers were introduced in the 19th century for certain games and later spread to others.

Construction and features. Cards are typically made of paper or thin cardboard, sometimes plastic-coated for durability. A standard deck presents face cards (Jack, Queen, King) and numeric cards, with suits providing the color and symbol system. Variations in size, back design, and card stock are common across manufacturers.

Usage and culture. Naipes are central to countless games—poker, bridge, canasta, solitaire, and many regional games—while remaining a common tool for practice, magic tricks, and cultural activities related to card-playing traditions.