From Ancient China to Kickstarter: The Evolution of Card Games

The evolution of card games is a fascinating journey that spans centuries and continents. The first recorded card games date back to the Tang Dynasty in China around the 9th century. The oldest surviving playing cards originated in Egypt, and by the 1400s, playing cards had arrived in Europe, where they were decorated with images of royalty.

Modern card games have their roots in classic games that have been played for centuries. Blackjack, for example, originated from several European games, including Spain’s “trentre-un”, England’s “bone ace”, and France’s “quinze”. Poker also has a rich history, originating separately in multiple countries before consolidating in Europe and then being exported to the USA. Baccarat, on the other hand, originated in Italy as “baccara” in the 15th century before being exported to France.

In recent years, modern card games like Cards Against Humanity and Exploding Kittens have gained popularity. Cards Against Humanity was published on Kickstarter in 2010 and raised $15,000. Exploding Kittens followed suit in 2015, raising $8.7 million. These games have tapped into a desire for more social experiences while providing greater convenience than board games.