There is quite an extensive history of a modern deck of cards used for card games, card magic, and more. Most people are unaware of the origins, as well as why there are a certain number of cards in a deck of cards.
This post will look at how many cards are in a deck of cards, what those cards are, the number of cards in a deck with Jokers, as well as why a deck of cards has that number.
In a standard deck of cards, the number of cards is 52 without the Jokers. This is because there are 4 suits in a deck (Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades). Each of the 4 suits gets 13 cards. This means that 13×4 gives us a total of 52 cards.
In a deck with the Jokers, there are 54 cards, because there are 2 Jokers cards added to the deck. This is because the 2 Jokers are added to the total of 52 regular cards, to make 54 cards.
Each suit has the same number of cards. The number of cards in each suit is 13. This includes the Ace through the King. The Ace replaces the number 1 in a deck, then it is followed by the standard numbers of 2 through 10. But instead of 11, 12, and 13, the cards are represented by the Jack, Queen, and King.
The values of all the cards in order are:
Ace
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Jack
Queen
King
Although the Ace takes the place of the number 1, and is the lowest card numerically, in many card games such as poker, the Ace is the highest valued card, being above even the King.
Face Cards
The Jack, Queen, and King are typically called “face cards” since they have pictures of persons with faces. This is in contrast to the number cards, which do not have pictures of people, but rather the picture of the suit repeated as many times as the value of the card is.
The Jack, Queen, and King are also sometimes called “court cards” because they are all royalty figures.
So, if we take 4 suits of 13 cards each, and we multiply 4×13, we arrive at 52, which is the total number of cards in a deck of cards.
There are some interesting connections between the number of cards and our modern calendar we will get to later.
Understanding Playing Cards
Here are two videos that teach how playing cards work.
Understanding Playing Cards
An Introduction to Playing Cards
Why Are There 52 Cards in a Deck?
The number of cards in deck is 52 without Jokers. The number of cards is 54 with Jokers.
I think the exact origin and reason are unknown, but there is something very interesting about a deck of cards, whether it was done on purpose or not.
A deck of cards is very close to a modern calendar. There are 52 weeks in a year, which could correspond with there being 52 total cards.
Also, there are four different seasons in a year, summer, spring, fall and winter. Likewise, there are four different suits in a deck of cards. Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades.
Why are there 52 cards in a deck?
Also, there are 13 cards in each suit. This might correspond with the fact that there are 13 lunar cycles. Also, a 13-month calendar has been proposed before.
And what is also interesting is that we have two cold seasons, Fall and Winter, which could be represented by the two black suits, Spades and Clubs. And we also have two warmer seasons, Spring and Summer, which might be represented by Hearts and Diamonds as well. You could also say that the two colors represent day and night.
Another eerie coincidence is that the number of total face cards or court cards is 12. This equals the number of months in a year.
And finally, if you add up the numbers of all the cards, you arrive at 364! That might have actually been the length of the calendar in previous times. If you add one of the Jokers you get to 365, the number of days in the current calendar year.
All 52 Cards in a Deck of Cards
Here are all 52 cards in a full deck of cards sorted by suits.
Hearts
Ace of Hearts
Two of Hearts
Three of Hearts
Four of Hearts
Five of Hearts
Six of Hearts
Seven of Hearts
Eight of Hearts
Nine of Hearts
Ten of Hearts
Jack of Hearts
Queen of Hearts
King of Hearts
Diamonds
Ace of Diamonds
Two of Diamonds
Three of Diamonds
Four of Diamonds
Five of Diamonds
Six of Diamonds
Seven of Diamonds
Eight of Diamonds
Nine of Diamonds
Ten of Diamonds
Jack of Diamonds
Queen of Diamonds
King of Diamonds
Spades
Ace of Spades
Two of Spades
Three of Spades
Four of Spades
Five of Spades
Six of Spades
Seven of Spades
Eight of Spades
Nine of Spades
Ten of Spades
Jack of Spades
Queen of Spades
King of Spades
Clubs
Ace of Clubs
Two of Clubs
Three of Clubs
Four of Clubs
Five of Clubs
Six of Clubs
Seven of Clubs
Eight of Clubs
Nine of Clubs
Ten of Clubs
Jack of Clubs
Queen of Clubs
King of Clubs
How Many Cards Are in a Deck with Jokers?
In a deck of cards with the Jokers, there are 54 cards. This is because there are 52 of the regular playing cards, plus two Joker cards.
There are 4 Aces in a deck of cards. This is because there are 4 suits in a deck, and each suit gets one Ace. The 4 Ace cards are the Ace of Spades, Ace of Hearts, Ace of Diamonds and Ace of Clubs.
There are 12 face cards in a deck of cards. Each of the four suits gets one of each of the three face cards. The face cards are the Jack, Queen, and King.
There are 13 spades in a deck of cards. Each suit gets one card of each of the 13 cards. This is the Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
There are 13 hearts in a deck of cards. Each suit gets one card of each of the 13 cards. This is the Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
There are 13 diamonds in a deck of cards. Each suit gets one card of each of the 13 cards. This is the Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
There are 13 clubs in a deck of cards. Each suit gets one card of each of the 13 cards. This is the Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
In a deck that does not include the Jokers, the number of cards is 52. If you include the two Jokers, then the number of cards will be 54 cards in the deck.
Are Jokers included in the 52 cards?
Jokers are not included in the 52 cards. When Jokers are included, then the total number of cards is 54.
There are two Jokers in a deck of cards. In a Bicycle deck of cards, there is one Guarantee Joker, (which is the colored Joker) and one black and white Joker.
What Comes After 10 in a Deck of Cards?
After all the numeric cards, ending with 10, come all the “face cards” or “court cards”, which are the Jack, Queen then King.
Do Jokers Count in 52 Cards?
Jokers do not count if you are referring to there being 52 cards in a deck. This is the number of cards in a deck of cards without the jokers.
What is the Strongest Card in a Deck?
It usually depends on the game being played. Most commonly the Aces are considered the highest cards in most games. Also, in Poker, the Spades are the highest-rated suit. So, the Ace of Spades is the highest-ranked or strongest card.
Final Thoughts on How Many Cards are in a Deck of Cards?
We have looked at the total number of cards in a deck of cards and seen that it is 52 without the Jokers. With the Jokers, the number of cards is 54.
We have also looked at all the different cards, as well as why there might be 52 cards in a deck, and also some connections with a modern calendar!
The magician started magic as a kid and has learned from some of the greats. He loves to share his knowledge with others and help out with the subtleties he’s learned along the way.
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