cards

A card is a small, flat, rectangular piece of material used for various purposes, including games, identification, financial transactions, and information storage. Common categories include playing cards, trading or collectible cards, business cards, and identification or access cards such as driver’s licenses, employee badges, or payment cards.

Playing cards are typically organized into four suits with numbered cards and face cards (jack, queen, king), and often include an ace that can function as high or low depending on the game. Most traditional decks contain 52 cards, though variants exist, including tarot decks used for certain games and for divination. Card games range from simple matching to complex strategy and trick-taking formats.

The history of cards traces origins to ancient Asia and the Middle East, with widespread adoption in Europe by the late medieval period. Over time, designs standardized into modern suits and ranks, and manufacturing methods evolved toward mass production. Plastic cards and laminated finishes became common in the 20th century, improving durability and enabling new features.

Materials and design vary by purpose. Standard playing and business cards are usually paper or cardboard with coatings for durability. Identity and payment cards increasingly use plastic or composite materials and may incorporate security features such as holograms, magnetic stripes, embedded chips (EMV), PIN authentication, and contactless RFID or NFC technology.

Usage spans entertainment, commerce, and administration. Credit and debit cards enable electronic payments, while identification and access cards verify identity or control entry to facilities. Trading cards support collecting and exchange, and business cards convey contact information for professional networks. Digital or virtual cards are also used in wallets and online services.