The Spokesman-Review – 11 Ago 1941 by Sam Gordon.
History of game shows court Jester was its inventor.
Bridge is a game for entertainment. Start to learn it with that in mind. Be serious in your efforts. If you like. But know its funny side, even about its origin. Cards are thousands of years old. But several centuries ago they were remodeled for the amusement of nobility. And the task of doing that funny face-lifting job for court notables naturally fell to the court jester.
He was a wily comedian. And he put one over on his higher-ups. He designed what the cards should look like. He wove them into a story. From the story he framed how the grime with the cards should be played.
Jester Becomes Hero
One of his satirical jokes was to make himself, the Jester, the hero. One of the cards was made to look like himself. He then made that Jester card more important than any other card in the pack, even unto the king.
That is why, for many years afterward, many packs hold 53d cards that was jester. It was later known the Joker. And in many card games, even today, the Joker is the most important card used. In the game of bridge the Joker is not used. But you can still see the influence of the Jester in all the court cards. It will be noticed in the details about kings, queens and jacks.
All Kings Seem Alike.
Seemingly, all the kings are alike. Also the queens. Also the jacks. But a closer look will show you that they differ in a great many details in other suits. All the picture cards in spades face towards your right. Also the jack of clubs. The other cards also look to your left. None of the queens are in profile. One king is. And so are two jacks.
Some card manufacturers change some of the details. Their artists have not shown respect for the historical features. They have as little romance for the game as many card-slappers who say they play bridge.
Take a quick glance at your pack of cards. Now look at the cards I have mentioned at the top of this column. Which kings and jacks, if any, have only one eye?.