Using Tarot Cards as Playing Cards: Complete Beginners Guide

When most people think of tarot cards, images of mystical readings, spiritual guidance, and fortune-telling come to mind. However, tarot cards weren’t originally created for divination. In fact, their first and primary function for centuries was as a deck of playing cards. Before tarot was used by mystics and readers, it was a popular European game with complex rules and deep strategic elements.

In this article, we’ll explore the history, structure, and practical ways to use tarot cards for playing traditional and modern games. Whether you're a card game enthusiast or a tarot reader curious about your deck's roots, this guide will help you appreciate tarot in a new light.

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A Historical Look: Tarot's Origins as Playing Cards

Tarot cards were first developed in 15th-century Italy as a variation of the standard playing card deck. These decks, called carte da trionfi or “cards of triumph,” were designed for a game similar to bridge or euchre. The earliest known tarot decks, such as the Visconti-Sforza deck, were hand-painted and commissioned by nobility.

The use of tarot cards for divination didn’t begin until the 18th century, popularized by mystics like Jean-Baptiste Alliette (Etteilla) and Antoine Court de Gébelin. Before that, tarot was strictly a card game enjoyed across Europe, especially in France, Italy, Switzerland, and parts of Germany.

The Structure of a Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck has 78 cards, more than the typical 52-card deck used in most modern card games. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. The Minor Arcana (56 Cards)

These are similar to modern playing cards and are divided into four suits:

• Wands (or Batons) = Clubs

• Cups = Hearts

• Swords = Spades

• Pentacles (or Coins) = Diamonds

Each suit includes:

• Numbers Ace (1) to 10

• Four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King

Note: Modern playing cards only have three court cards—Jack, Queen, and King.

2. The Major Arcana (22 Cards)

These cards are unique to tarot and include iconic figures like:

• The Fool (0)

• The Magician (I)

• The Lovers (VI)

• The World (XXI)

In game play, these are called trumps, and they have special powers similar to the trump suit in bridge or spades.

Using Tarot for Traditional Games

The original purpose of tarot cards was for a game called Tarot, Tarock, or Tarocchi. It’s still popular today, particularly in France (as Jeu de Tarot). To use tarot cards as playing cards, you need to understand their function in this and other games.

Common Games Played with Tarot Cards:

1. French Tarot (Jeu de Tarot)

• Number of players: 3–5

• Uses the full 78-card tarot deck

• Goal: Win tricks and collect high-value cards, especially “oudlers” (Trump I, Trump XXI, and The Fool)

• Highly strategic, similar to bridge

2. Austrian Tarock

• Played with 54 cards (subset of tarot deck)

• Popular in Austria and Central Europe

• Emphasizes partnerships and bidding

3. Italian Tarocchi

• Early form of tarot gaming

• Complex rules and regional variations

In all these games, the Major Arcana serve as the trump suit, and the Minor Arcana function like traditional suit cards. The Fool acts as a special card that can escape a trick or be used strategically.

Can You Use Divination Tarot Decks for Playing Games?

Yes—but with limitations.

Most modern tarot decks used for divination, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith or Thoth Tarot, can be used to play traditional tarot card games, provided they have all 78 cards.

However, there are some challenges:

• Artistic Distractions: Modern tarot decks often have elaborate imagery that may make it harder to quickly identify suits and numbers.

• Size Differences: Tarot cards are usually larger than standard playing cards, which can be uncomfortable for shuffling and dealing.

• Court Card Variations: The use of Pages and Knights instead of Jacks can be confusing if you’re used to modern decks.

If your main goal is gameplay, consider purchasing a Tarot Nouveau or French-suited tarot deck, which has clearer markings and is specifically designed for games.

How to Adapt Tarot Cards for Common Playing Card Games

You can also use a tarot deck to play traditional card games like poker, rummy, or blackjack with some adjustments.

1. Create a 52-Card Deck

• Remove the 22 Major Arcana cards

• Remove the Page or Knight from each suit to reduce the court to Jack, Queen, and King

• Use Wands = Clubs, Cups = Hearts, Swords = Spades, Pentacles = Diamonds

You now have a standard deck usable for most games.

2. Use Full Minor Arcana (56 Cards)

• Keep all four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King)

• Play modified versions of rummy, war, or solitaire using the expanded hierarchy

3. Create a Trump Game with Major Arcana

• Assign the Major Arcana as a “trump suit”

• Use them to beat regular cards, similar to spades in the game of Spades

4. Fool as Joker

• In many modern games, you can treat The Fool as a wild card or Joker

Fun Home Games You Can Invent

Tarot’s versatility lets you invent your own games or put a creative twist on existing ones.

Example Game: Tarot War

• Each player draws a card.

• Major Arcana cards beat all Minor Arcana.

• Among Major Arcana, higher number wins.

• If both are Minor, suit ranking applies (e.g., Swords > Cups > Wands > Pentacles)

Example Game: Arcana Rummy

• Use only Major Arcana

• Players collect "life path" sets: 3 or more cards in a sequence (e.g., The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess)

• Special powers: Death (XIII) forces opponent to discard; The Sun (XIX) gives extra draw

These games are fun, symbolic, and great for parties or tarot learners.

Tarot as a Tool for Education and Creativity

Using tarot cards as playing cards can also have educational and creative benefits:

1. Symbol Learning

• Children and adults alike can learn numbers, symbols, mythology, and psychology through visual association.

2. Storytelling Prompts

• Each card can act as a character or plot point

• Create group storytelling games based on drawn cards

3. Language Games

• Describe the meaning of a card in a different language

• Match cards with vocabulary or idioms

Using tarot this way combines play with learning and intuition with imagination.

Choosing the Right Tarot Deck for Games

If you're serious about using tarot cards for games, here are your best options:

1. Tarot Nouveau

• Created specifically for playing

• Clear suit symbols and easy-to-read numbers

• Used in French Tarot tournaments

2. Tarocco Piemontese

• Italian-suited tarot deck

• Includes traditional trumps and suits

3. Rider-Waite-Smith or Thoth (for casual use)

• Best for storytelling, symbolic games, and spiritual games

• Great for dual-purpose decks

Tips for Playing with Tarot Cards

• Shuffle gently: Tarot decks are often more fragile and ornate than regular playing cards.

• Use card sleeves: Protect your deck if you plan to play often.

• Keep a score sheet: Some games, like French Tarot, require scoring systems.

• Print out rules: Especially for traditional games like Tarock or Tarocchi

• Be patient: If you're used to 52-card games, tarot gameplay takes some time to master

Final Thoughts

Tarot cards have a rich history that goes beyond spiritual readings. For centuries, they were tools for leisure, strategy, and intellectual challenge. Using tarot cards as playing cards helps reconnect us to this forgotten tradition, adding depth and versatility to your deck.

Whether you want to play historic games like French Tarot or simply add a creative twist to familiar ones, tarot cards offer endless possibilities. With the right knowledge, a tarot deck becomes more than a mystical tool—it’s a gateway to meaningful play, strategic fun, and shared human history.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.