10 Fun Facts about Face Cards in a Deck

Also known as court cards, face cards signify the Kings, Queens, and Jacks in a deck. With unique designs of illustrated faces rather than the usual numerical values or symbols, these cards represent enigma, royalty, and influence. Understanding them or getting to know facts about them will enable you to gain strategic depth while trying your hands in playing online Rummy and other card games.

Getting an Insight into the Face Cards

In a deck of 52 cards, there are 12 face cards – Kings, Queens, and Jacks. Each of the four suites – diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs – has one of each. This naturally indicates that you can find 3 face cards in each suit. With four suits of face cards in a deck, three gets multiplied by four, and this leaves you with 12 face cards in each deck.

King

The highest-ranking face card in a deck, the King symbolizes ultimate power, authority, and leadership. Historians associate this card with Julius Caesar (King of Diamonds) and Charlemagne (King of Hearts). 

• Its design – The face card is portrayed as a mature and regal figure who is positioned on a throne and dons a royal attire of robe, crown, and scepter.
• Its symbolism – Sitting at the pinnacle of the hierarchy, the King holds the most power and has the greatest value in a deck of cards. 

Queen

Another member holding prominence in the royal court of cards, the Queen is royalty just like the King. She emphasizes beauty, grace, and authority. In French decks, the card is often named after Athena (Queen of Spades) and Judith (Queen of Hearts).

• Its design – Portrayed as a dignified woman, she either sits or stands gracefully. The Queen wears royal attire and could either be holding a flower or a scepter.
• Its symbolism – The Queen holds quite a significant value in the deck and ranks just below the King in terms of authority.

Read for more info: How to use Kings and Queens in Rummy? | A23 

Jack

The Prince or the Knave, the Jack holds the lowest rank among face cards. But that does not mean he has no power; the Jack often symbolizes energy, wit, and resourcefulness. Historians argue that this face card came into being probably in the 19th century.

• Its design – The youthful figure is mostly shown in motions to indicate engagement in some kind of activity. He may be seen carrying tools or weapons.
• Its symbolism – The Jack holds different functions depending upon the game. While some games may have him as the lowest of face cards, other games could have him possess special powers of abilities.

10 Facts to Know while Playing with Face Cards

Playing Rummy games requires strategy and skill. And getting your hands on any of the face cards can change the course of the game. While playing Rummy, a player can take the decision of strategically placing or even discarding the face cards depending on the potential combinations or their point value. But to handle the cards effectively and utilize their power to the fullest, you ought to know about the facts that these cards possess.

1. The Face Cards Give You Higher Points

Every card comes with a different value, and face cards are the highest of them all. Playing most Rummy variations will give you face cards worth 10 points each. Thus, at the time of arranging runs and sets for valid melds, having face cards included in them can naturally take the overall score to new heights.

2. Origin Of Face Cards

The face cards were known to make the earliest appearance in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), featuring royalty. With the passing of time, each country took to its own designs to create the face cards.

Read for more info: Delving into the Origins of Tile Rummy: A Historical View 

For example, Europe saw face cards with mythological and historical figures of kings, queens, and knights. But as years went by, there came just one design into being, featuring the universally recognizable designs of King, Queen, and Jack that we see today.

3. The Face Cards Were Once Censored In France

How we know the cards today were not like this at a point in time in France! The face cards were largely censored from their original designs. Previously, the face cards featured the King, the Queen, and the Jack in their entirety. But the time of the French Revolution brought a change in many things, and face cards were among them as well. 

The full face of the King, Queen, and Jack were removed, and the designs were reformed to show only the profiles. Even the slightest trace of explicitly royal imagery was removed.

4. The Face Cards Are Effective In Creating Runs And Sets

Rummy players, at the most basic level, have to create runs and sets in the process of grouping cards of the same sequence or rank. And this can be done more effectively with the inclusion of face cards. 

For example, a player owning a queen of diamonds, queen of hearts, and queen of spades can form a three-of-a-kind set, known as a triplet. In the same way, one can use the face cards to create runs. A smart player can form melds absolutely designed for winning.

5. The Face Cards Can Act As Wild Card Alternatives

Some variations of Rummy games let players make use of wild cards. These cards work as a substitute for any other card at the time of completing a run or a set. And in this regard, face cards can be of help by functioning as wild card alternatives.

For instance, if someone has declared a wild card as the Jack of Spades, the player has the option to choose any jack from any suit and play with that to complete the set. The dynamic and flexible nature of face cards pave the path for maintaining suspense and strategy in the game of Rummy.

6. The Face Cards Can Be Discarded As Well

For a player, it is also equally crucial to know when to discard a face card. With higher values, the cards render the player helpless during times when the game ends prematurely. Thus, the player has to analyze and figure out whether holding the face cards will heighten their chances of winning or simply bog them down by the end of the game. Analyze the set or run with face cards to know if you stand a chance of utilizing the cards well.

A skilled player will always know when to do away with the face card so as to minimize the possibility of point loss.

7. The Face Cards Can Be Used To Create An Impact On The Opponent

A player with face cards in hand automatically has an intimidating effect on the opponent’s playing tactics. The opponent’s decision-making and strategic abilities are highly influenced by the number of face cards you are holding. In fact, making a move to retain or discard the face cards can confuse the opponent about the meld you are aiming for. 

On the other hand, if you see the opponent discarding a face card, analyze the move and try to adjust your strategy accordingly.

8. The King of Hearts was Also Known as the Suicide King

As a player, have you ever wondered why the King of Hearts is referred to as the ‘Suicide King?’ While some view the single-eyed King as ominous, others opine that this is the only king who does not have a full moustache and is thus known to be a symbol of vulnerability. It is often said that the card’s design is based on Charlemagne, whose portraits in medieval art were seen without a moustache.

But no matter the mysteries surrounding the theories, it goes without saying that the card holds incredible value in Rummy games and can make or break the luck of a player. 

9. The Real Queen of Hearts

Continuing with our theme of history, the Queen of Hearts also has an interesting, albeit heartbreaking, story behind it. Elizabeth of York was much loved during her time, and by her husband, Henry VII. She died during childbirth, and the grief-stricken emperor decided to commemorate his beloved wife’s love for card games by ordering the Queen of Hearts to be redone in her image. And this is probably more than just lore; if you juxtapose the traditional Queen of Hearts with a famous photograph of Elizabeth, the likeness is striking. 

10. The face cards change roles according to the game

In every game, the face cards are right in the center! Card games like Old Maid, Face Card Poker, Go Fish, ScoPone, Kings in the Corner, War, Face Card Rummy, and the Game of Hearts have the face cards exhibiting maximum potential and power.

If you are playing Go Fish, check for yours and your opponent’s face cards to fully complete the runs and sets. On the other hand, those playing the Old Maid might lose if unable to pair Joker cards and the face cards.

In conclusion

Exploring the fascinating facts of face cards will give you an upper hand in playing Rummy. And with that, the time comes for you to test your skill and knowledge in dealing with these cards and finally emerging victorious! Remember that once you master the face cards, there is no stopping from winning Rummy games!