Tam Cúc 三菊
Tam Cúc playing cards from Vietnam (Việt Nam), based on Chinese chess, 2016
Tam Cúc playing cards purchased in Vietnam. Like Four Colour Cards, the deck is based on Chinese chess. However this is where the similarities end. Decks have only 32 cards, the distribution of cards exactly mirroring the pieces in a game of Chinese chess. Instead of 4 colours, there are two (one with red overprints, the other without). The deck contains 1 general (tướng 將), 2 advisors (sĩ 士), 2 elephants (tượng 象), 2 chariots (xe 車), 2 cannons (pháo 砲), 2 horses (mã 馬), and 5 soldiers (tốt 卒) repeated in red and black.
Tam Cuc is a trick-taking game
Indochina (now Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) was mainly inhabited by Cantonese people. In each of these zones, cards and dominoes were customized and adapted to local varieties.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Lo Cartescacco / Chess playing cards
Playing cards designed by F. Romagnoli bringing together Chess and Bridge, Italy, c. 1981.
Pixel Tarot
This tarot deck pays tribute to the golden age of pixelated video games, drawing inspiration from th...
Chinese Opera Masks Playing Cards 脸谱
Three different packs of cards featuring traditional Chinese face painting and Chinese opera masks.
TikTok Tarot
TikTok Tarot is a unique tarot deck that puts a modern spin on the Rider-Waite format; with TikTok-i...
Chinese Money-Suited Playing Cards from the British Museum
This deck of Chinese playing cards, donated to the British Museum in 1896, is believed to have been ...
Acelion Cyberpunk Playing Cards
This cyberpunk deck by Acelion combines magic and science fiction elements, inspired by Nordic mytho...
52 Chess Openings
52 chess openings published by SynHeme Inc., Canada.
Lost Boys
Designs created on the occasion of a chess tournament in Antwerp, 1997.
Pulp Pin-Up
Classic 1940s Pulp Pin-Up covers on playing cards from China, c.2010.
Diaoyu Poker 8068
8068 by Diaoyu Poker (China) 2019.
Chinese Costumes
Chinese Costumes from the Winterthur Collection, published by Fournier, 1984.
Khanhoo
Khanhoo by Charles Goodall & Son, 1895.
Chinese Jokers
Chinese playing card makers have probably produced the widest variety of jokers of any single part o...
Characters of “The Water Margin”
Characters from the Chinese novel “The Water Margin” - 水滸撲克.
Hogwarts
Harry Potter Hogwarts playing cards, c.2016.
Tô Tôm №1204
Tô Tôm is played with a 120-card Chinese-style deck.
Far East
Far East playing cards with designs by Isabel Ibáñez de Sendadiano, c.1980.
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, Beijing, China, c.1998.
Maxi Puke 201 Circus Poker
Maxi Puke 201 Circus Poker brand produced by Wenyu Paper Products, Shanghai.
57: China 3
A third and final look at some Chinese cards.
Hakka
“Double Happiness” brand Hakka [客家] playing cards used by Hakka ethnic communities who have a separa...
55: China 2
Some further American designs used in China.
Tam Cúc 三菊
Tam Cúc playing cards from Vietnam (Việt Nam), based on Chinese chess, 2016
54: China 1
Although many people would not consider Chinese cards worth collecting, the huge variety of court de...
Lucky Buddha Beer
Deck made in China in c.2010 advertising the Chinese brew “Lucky Beer, the enlightened beer”
Terracotta Army
Each card has a different photo of elements of the terracotta army whose purpose was to protect the ...
Magic Poker Cards
“Magic Poker Cards” are often found inside Christmas crackers along with party hats, puzzles and jok...
Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin
“Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin” collectible playing cards, made in China, c.2010.
Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera
A very impressive deck of cards featuring 54 different images from “Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera” ...
Four Colour Cards / 四色牌 / Si Sek Pai
Four Colour Cards made in Belgium for Far Eastern markets
Chinese Dragon Robes
Deck featuring 54 different images of Chinese Dragon Robes that emperors, empresses and royal family...
Chi Chi Pai
Chinese “Chi Chi Pai” Playing Cards by Mesmaekers Frères for Far East market.
Mao Zedong & International Friends
Playing cards celebrating the story of the Chinese leader and statesman Chairman Mao / Mao Zedong & ...
Titicaca ® Playing Cards
Each card in this novelty deck, subtitled “Funny Card”, carries information about a prestigious or p...
Mad Jack Miracle Pack
Mad Jack Miracle Pack by Chu’s Magic (Tobar) 1999.
Li River Souvenir
Li River Souvenir Playing Cards from China.
Hokkien Four Colour Cards
The characters on the cards are written one way for red and yellow, and another for green and white....
3: 20th/21st Century Variants including some from China
I expect most collectors ignore cards made in China for export. It's true that many of them are clos...