Index (playing cards)
In the context of playing cards, a given card's index displays its rank and suit in its top-left corner.
Indices as we recognise them were first introduced by the NYCCC in Squeezer decks, so-called as they allow you to fan out your cards in a single hand, all squeezed together. The Squeezer style index pairs the rank's number or initial with the suit.
An interesting alternative was simply to duplicate the face of the card in miniature. It's perhaps surprising that the Squeezer style became dominant, considering it relies upon players speaking the same language and being literate, and was introduced at a time when a player's literacy wasn't guaranteed.
On the plus side, the Squeezer style makes it easier to differentiate Kings and Jacks. Indeed, these initials may well have spelled the final death knell for calling Jacks knaves.
References
Encyclopedias
- "Squeezers № 35" Simon Wintle, The World of Playing Cards, May 2010
- "Corner Indices" Simon Wintle, The World of Playing Cards, Jun 2020
Downloads
Documentation
Patents
- "Improvement in Game-Cards" Cyrus W. Saladee, US Patents, 1864
- "Improvement in Playing-Cards" Andrew Dougherty, US Patents, 1875
Playing cards: Index (playing cards)
