How India Gave Dice and Playing Cards to the World

India is famous for a number of very famous exports to the world including everything from the curries that are enjoyed everywhere from Britain to Australia to that well-known pastime of the very rich, polo. But, while these are two of the country’s highest-profile contributions to global culture, there are two other Indian inventions that are arguably enjoyed by many more people every day and in virtually every country of the world.

The first of these is the playing card. While there are many claims about the origin of these, with a popular theory that they were first used in the 9th century in China, India has a very strong claim to have preceded this.

The oldest examples were used to play a game called Krida-Patram. Because they were first used long before printing had been invented, they were made from fabric. Instead of the four suits that we have today, the oldest versions of the cards were decorated with scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Centuries later, they evolved into Ganjifa cards, and games using them were played in many of the country’s royal courts. By then, cards had become hand-painted on a variety of materials and were something of a status symbol with decorations ranging from tortoiseshell to pearls and precious gems.

Today, the most popular card games in India have evolved to be ones like Teen Patti and Satte Pa Satta. The former is like the English game of 3 Card Brag which is a simplified form of poker in which players bet over who has the best hand. Satte Pa Satta, on the other hand, is similar to a game of Patience in which an unlimited number of players can participate.

Indian card games are really rather popular in the country and indeed, there is a whole range of popular Indian online casinos which offer plenty such games, such as blackjack, baccarat and even poker. But reliable reviews indicate that the range is growing to include games popular in India. For the time being, that’s namely Teen Patti and Andar Bahaar, but with the operators in India and elsewhere having been so quick to add these to their listings suggests we could well see other popular Indian choices pop up in the near future.

How India Gave Dice and Playing Cards to the World

As is the case with playing cards, the history of dice is a disputed one. But, again, India has a strong claim to make about their invention. They are mentioned in the Reg Vida as well as in the list of games acknowledged by the Great Buddha. The earliest Indian dice differed in that they were oblong shapes rather than the more traditional cubes. It is these dice that are used to play the game Passa, still very popular today. They only have the numbers 1, 3, 4 and 6 on them and the game consists of betting on which double will be thrown. Because each die only has four numbers on it compared with the traditional six, a double is a more common occurrence and which helps to move the game along.

Again, there is great potential for this game to be widely adopted by casinos for its fast pace and simplicity. And with the rest of the world have fallen in love with our food and other parts of our culture, perhaps its time is not far around the corner.

Do check out:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More like this

Fortnite v34.30 Update: Sabrina Carpenter, Ballistic Changes & Adventure...

The Fortnite universe continues to evolve at a breathtaking pace, with Epic Games preparing to launch another...

Dynamax Passimian in Pokemon GO: Catch Guide, Shiny Odds,...

The world of Pokemon GO continues to expand with exciting new Dynamax additions, bringing the beloved mechanics...

How to Claim Warzone Season 3 Discord Quest Rewards:...

As Warzone Season 3 revitalizes the beloved Verdansk map, Activision has partnered with Discord to offer players...

Inzoi Baby Feeding Guide: Complete Steps to Care for...

Inzoi has quickly established itself as one of the most detailed life simulation games on the market,...

Clash of Clans Friend or Foe Event Guide: WWE...

Supercell continues to surprise and delight Clash of Clans enthusiasts with innovative crossover events, and their latest...

LATEST NEWS

UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Frattesi’s Late Strike Hands Inter Dramatic Edge Over Bayern in UCL Thriller

A gripping Champions League quarterfinal first leg between European powerhouses unfolded at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, as Inter Milan stunned Bayern Munich...

UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Rice Rockets Arsenal to Glory As Gunners Sink Real Madrid in Commanding 3-0 Champions League Win

On a night that will forever echo in Arsenal folklore, Mikel Arteta’s side produced an unforgettable performance under the floodlights at Emirates Stadium, thrashing...

UEFA Champions League 2024-25: PSG vs Aston Villa – Preview, Prediction and Where to Watch the Match Live?

As we gear up for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes, here’s our preview and prediction for Paris Saint-Germain vs...

UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund – Preview, Prediction and Where to Watch the Match Live?

All eyes turn to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys as we gear up for a thrilling Champions League showdown—here’s our bold Barcelona vs Borussia...

Featured