This list of playing card nicknames shows the nicknames of playing cards in a standard 52-card pack. Some are generic while some are specific to certain card games; others are specific to patterns, such as the courts of French playing cards for example, which often bear traditional names. This list does not contain names that are specific to poker as it would overwhelm the list and make it difficult to identify non-poker names. Poker nicknames are listed separately here.
The following is a list of nicknames used for individual playing cards of the standard 52-card pack. Sometimes games require the revealing or announcement of cards, at which point appropriate nicknames may be used if allowed under the rules or local game culture.
Card name | Initial | Alternative names | Collective names | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
King | K | Cowboy, [1] Monarch, [1] Alexander ( ), [2] David ( ), [2] Julius Caesar ( ), [2] Man with the Axe ( ), [1] One-Eyed King ( ), [1] Charlemagne ( ), [2] Charles ( ), [3] Suicide King ( ) [1] | Coat Card, Court Card, Face Card, Figure, Rembrandt, Royal Card | Honour | ||
Queen | Q | Argine ( ), [2] Black Lady ( ), Black Maria ( ), [1] Calamity Jane ( ), [1] Helen of Troy ( ), [2] Judith ( ), [2] Rachel ( ), [4] Pallas Athena ( ), [2] Stenographer, [1] | ||||
Jack | J | Boy, [1] Bower, [5] Fishhook, [1] Jackson, [1] Jake, [1] Johnny, [1] Knave, Valet, [1] Hector ( ), [2] Ogier ( ), [2] La Hire ( ), [2] Lancelot ( ), [2] Pam ( ), Roland ( ), Laughing Boy ( ), One-Eyed Jack ( , ) Nibs or Heels [6] | ||||
10 | T | Big Cassino ( ), [1] | Spotter | Whiteskin | Pip card Spot card Numeral Numeral card |
N/A |
9 | 9 | Neener, [1] Nina Ross, [1] Niner, Curse of Scotland ( ) [1], Pothook, [1] Scourge of Scotland ( ) [2] | ||||
8 | 8 | Ocho, [1] Pusher, [1] Snowman, [1] | ||||
7 | 7 | Beer Card ( ), [7] Fishhook, [1] Salmon, [8] | ||||
6 | 6 | Sax, [1] Grace's Card ( ) | ||||
5 | 5 | Fever, [1] Nickel, [1] Pedro [1] | ||||
4 | 4 | Devil's Bedpost ([1] Sharp Top, [1] Sore Spot, [1] Sailboat | ),||||
3 | 3 | Crab, [1] Trey [1] | ||||
2 | 2 | Deuce, [1] Duck, [1] Little Cassino ( ), [8] The Curse of Mexico ( ), [8] | ||||
Ace | A | Basto ([9] [10] Bull, [1] Bullet, [1] Rocket, Clover ( ), The Crispin ( ) [3], Death Card ( ), [11] One Spot, [1] Pig's Eye ( ), [8] Puppy Foot ( ), [1] Seed, [1] Sharp Top, [1] Spadille ( ), [12] Tax Card ( ) [1] | ),Honour | |||
Joker | ★ | Best Bower (Euchre) | — |
^ The nine of diamonds playing card is often referred to as the Curse of Scotland [13] or the Scourge of Scotland, [14] there are a number of reasons given for this connection:
^ The Six of Hearts is known as loyalty at the risk of death or Grace's Card. This is because in 1689 emissaries of William of Orange called on John Grace, Baron of Courtstown, with an invitation to join the army of the usurper. On a playing-card lying on the table beside him he scrawled a contemptuous refusal: "Tell your master I despise his offer, and that honor and conscience are dearer to a gentleman than all the wealth and titles a prince can bestow". Baron Grace was loyal to King James II of England, and risked being shot or hanged for his refusal to give up. One hundred years later, in Kilkenny, the six of hearts was still known as ‘Grace's Card’. [17] [18] [19]
^ The origin of The Bicycle, Little Wheel, Spoke, Steel Wheel, Steel Wheeled Bike or simply The Wheel is unknown, but it is believed to have something to do with the popular Bicycle Playing Cards issued by the United States Playing Card Company. [20] [21]
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