What's in a Name? The Matching Game II Quiz

Answer: Ace of Spades

The exact origin of how and when the Ace of Spades became known as the Death Card has been lost in time. Many theories abound, some more interesting than others.

The first theory is that it is related to the fact that the spades suit evolved from a suit depicted by swords and therefore is related to war and death. A second theory relates it to the English stamp tax in the 1700s that was placed on playing cards and the use of the Ace of Spades to show the tax had been played. Death and taxes always go hand in hand.

Another theory holds that it is related to tarot and pagan traditions in which spades are related to winter and the Ace of Spades to the yule week. The idea then is that it is the death of the old year and the heralding in of the hard times of winter. A final theory simplifies the whole process and states that spades are shovels and shovels are used for digging graves. There are other theories but these seem to be the most prevalent.

The use of the Ace of Spades as the Death Card found its greatest practice in the Vietnam War where whole decks of just Ace of Spades were shipped in country to be placed on dead enemy soldiers or to use in other psyops. Although some have asserted that this had a psychological impact on the enemy, the proposition is dubious at best. Although the impact on the enemy may have been negligible, it did boost American morale by using them.

Answer: Six of Hearts

In 1691 an Irish soldier, Colonel Richard Grace, was given the chance to switch sides from James II to William III, William of Orange, and spare his life and property. He wrote his refusal on the six of hearts and was soon killed in the ensuing battle. His stand and death have become legendary.

Answer: Ten of Diamonds

The Ten of Diamonds plays an important role in the Italian card game Cassino from the late 18th and early 19th century. In the game the Ten of Diamonds is worth three points and called the Big Cassino. When the game came to English speaking countries the name stuck and was shortened in many instances to Big Casino.

Answer: King of Hearts

As the deck of cards evolved over time, the four Kings were said to represent four historic kings:
King of Spades - David the king from the Bible
King of Hearts - Charles or Charlemagne the king of the Franks
King of Diamonds - Julius Caesar Roman ruler
King of Clubs - Alexander the Great the Greek emperor
In many depictions the King of hearts has his sword behind his head so that it looks like he is stabbing himself in the head. This is where the name comes from.

Answer: Queen of Spades

There is no definitive story as to how the Queen of Spades became known as Calamity Jane but most authorities agree it is merely to honor the frontierswoman and avid poker player. She became a legend in Deadwood, South Dakota along with Wild Bill Hickok.

She dressed like a man, played cards like a man, and was known for swearing and drinking like a man at a time when respectable women did not do such things.

Answer: Two of Spades

The Two of Spades plays an important role in the Italian card game Cassino from the late 18th and early 19th century. In the game the Two of Spades is worth two points and called the Little Cassino. It is also little because it is worth less than the Big Casino in the game, the Ten of Diamonds.

When the game came to English speaking countries the name stuck and was shortened in many instances to Little Casino.

Answer: Seven of Diamonds

In games where tricks are taken to win like bridge, the Seven of Diamonds can be used as a side bet but not part of the official rules. The rules vary but they all have the same affect, someone gets bought a beer that either involves the Seven Diamonds winning or losing the last trick. From her the nickname spread to other card games like poker.

Answer: Ace of Clubs

Any club can of course be called a puppy foot and holding puppy feet in poker is a club flush. Puppy foot singular usually denotes the Ace of Clubs specifically. Other names for the Ace of Clubs are clover and blackberry both because of how the club looks.

Answer: King of Diamonds

Only the King of Diamonds is in profile so that he has one eye showing. Interestingly, two of the Jacks are shown in profile but neither is a Diamond. The first is the Jack of Spades and other is the Jack of Hearts. The King of Diamonds is also the only King to be holding an axe in the modern deck while the other three hold swords.

He is thus sometimes referred to as "the man with the axe".

Answer: Nine of Diamonds

The Nine of Diamonds being called the Curse of Scotland has several possible sources. First, Sir John Dalrymple is supposed to have used the card to order the Glencoe Massacre. Second, the Duke of Cumberland ordered that no quarter be given in the Battle of Culloden on a Nine of Diamonds. Third, it is a corruption of the Cross of Scotland referring to its resemblance to St Andrew's Saltire. Finally, nine diamonds had been stolen from the crown of Scotland and a tax was levied on the people to pay for them.