A playing card is a rectangular piece of cardboard or plastic used in various card games. Each card typically features a unique design, including numbers or face images, and belongs to one of four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. Standard decks usually contain 52 cards, along with a few jokers, which can be used in some games. Playing cards have a long history, dating back to ancient China and spreading to Europe in the 14th century. They are used for entertainment, strategy, and social interaction, with countless games like poker, bridge, and solitaire played worldwide.