spelkort

Spelkort, or playing cards, are a set of cards used for a wide variety of card games and gambling activities. A standard modern deck consists of 52 cards divided into four suits: hearts (hjärter), diamonds (ruter), clubs (klöver), and spades (spader). Each suit contains thirteen ranks: ace (ess) through ten, plus the face cards jack (knekt), queen (dam), and king (kung). Many decks also include one or two jokers, which in some games act as wild cards or as special cards.

Spelkort are used for a broad range of games, from trick-taking games like bridge and whist to matching and shedding games such as canasta and poker. Some games require a standard 52-card deck, while others use shorter decks of 32 or 36 cards, depending on regional rules and traditions. The Swedish term spelkort is commonly used in everyday language for playing cards.

Historically, playing cards arrived in Europe in the late Middle Ages and spread across the continent, including Sweden. The modern 52-card French-suited deck became standard in many parts of Europe by the 19th century. Card designs vary by brand and finish, with stock ranging from simple to premium, often plastic-coated or linen-finish for durability.

Spelkort remain central to recreational gaming and social activities, with numerous regional variants and games built around different card combinations and strategies.