what is the purpose of the jokers in a deck of cards?

Answer 1

The joker is an American innovation. Created for the Alsatian game of Euchre, it spread to Europe from America along with the spread of Poker. The joker was ideated around 1865 by Samuel Hart. The initial denomination of the card was Best or Imperial Bower (Bauer or Boer in German language is the name of the jack of trump in the game of Euchre). From the Alsatian name of the game, Juker, derived the actual appellative of the card. Although the joker card often bears the image of a fool (possibly derived from the stereotypical village idiot), which is one of the images of the Tarot deck, it is not believed that there is any relation. In contemporary decks, one of the two jokers is often more colorful or more intricately detailed than the other, though this feature is not used in most card games. The two jokers are often differentiated as "Big" and "Little," or more commonly, "Red" and "Black." In many card games the jokers are not used. Unlike face cards, the design of jokers varies widely. Many manufacturers use them to carry trademark designs.

Answer 2

I suppose they are a bit of a novelty now, but I believe they are used to replace a card that you lose perhaps. That way, a deck isn't useless if you lose up to two cards. I actually don't know of any games that incorporate the jokers in the deck. I suppose you could use a joker in old maid though.

Answer 3

The jokers can be either used as spare cards for if one is damaged or lost, and also they can be used in certain games. I get annoyed when i forget to them out of a new pack and shuffle them when not needed in the game i am playing.

Answer 4

you can play games with the jokers like u try to get rid of the joker by taking out the 2 matched paris like 2 red 3 or 2 blck kings

Answer 5

Some card games require the joker, personally it is jsut annoying. I like card games though : )

Answer 6

I've always thought they were on the top and bottom to try and avoid damaging cards on the top and bottom of the pack. Similar to when you buy a new pack of CDs from a computer shop, there is always a blank disk and you don't need those to substitute when you lose a disk or play a game do you?

Answer 7

That when things get a little bit too serious and one is losing money, the joker will pop up to make you happy =)

Answer 8

you use them in some games: like pitch. The jokers count as point cards :)

Answer 9

Wild cards

Answer 10

To use as substitutes when you loose your numbered cards from the deck