You will always come across two sets of Joker cards in a standard deck of cards. Have you ever wondered what the purpose of this card is? Where did this card come from? Many a time, people associated this card with fortune-telling. The first Joker card came into existence during the late 1800s. When new rules in the game of Euchre appeared during the 1860s, they needed an extra trump card of the highest rank. The card, which later came to be known as Joker, or the Jolly Joker, flooded the American market.
History of The Joker Card
The earliest Joker card appeared in printed decks in the 1860s, during a time when new rules were being introduced in the American card game Euchre. Players needed an extra card, stronger than any other trump and they called it the Best Bower, the highest-ranking card in the game.
To meet this need, card manufacturers in the United States began including an additional card in their decks. This special trump card later came to be known as the Joker or Jolly Joker. By the 1880s, it became a standard feature in many American playing card packs, especially as Euchre continued to gain popularity.
The term “Joker” is believed to have come from the game Euchre itself, though it may also have been influenced by the words “joke” or “joker,” which were already in use at the time. But the concept of the card was clearly rooted in Euchre and American gameplay innovation.
Early Joker cards often carried unique designs ranging from company logos to floral or architectural patterns as part of the brand’s identity. Over time, the image of the jester became the most recognizable and widely adopted design. As card games evolved, the Joker found new roles beyond Euchre, gaining importance in mainstream games like Poker, Canasta, and Spades, where it became a powerful wild card or trump card.
Why are there two Jokers in a deck of cards?
Most standard decks come with 52 regular cards and 2 Jokers. But why are there two?
Originally, the Joker was created for the game of Euchre as a single extra trump card. But as more card games were developed like Poker, Canasta, Spades, and even Call Break, having two Jokers in the deck gave players more flexibility and allowed for new game variations.
On platforms like MPL, card games such as Poker and Rummy sometimes feature Jokers as wild cards, helping players form stronger combinations. In Call Break, Jokers aren’t part of standard gameplay, but in other formats of trick-taking games, they’re often used as powerful trump cards.
The two Jokers are often easy to tell apart. Some decks label them as the “Big Joker” and “Little Joker,” while others use different colors, like one in full color and the other in black and white. This is helpful in games where each Joker has a different rank or purpose.
Another practical reason for having two Jokers is to keep the total card count at 54, which helps when dividing cards equally in games that need even hands. In some versions of Spades, for example, both Jokers are used as the two highest trumps, with the Big Joker beating the Little Joker.
So even though not every card game uses Jokers, having two of them makes the deck more versatile, perfect for a wide range of online and offline card games, including those you can play on MPL.
Importance of the Joker Card
In a regular deck of 52 playing cards, each card has a different value in suit or family. Players use them in a variety of permutations and combinations, depending upon the game. The basic cards in each game are Ace, King, Queen, and Jack. With that comes along the Joker card.
In a new deck, there are generally two Jokers. The use varies greatly. Most of the card games discard the card completely. They are either replacements for lost or damaged cards in a deck. The game of Euchre uses as the highest trump. They are often wild cards, which allows representing other existing cards. The term “Joker’s Wild” originates from this.
The Joker Card can be extraordinarily beneficial or destructive. This card represents the highest trump in Euchre.
In poker, it is the wild card. In Old Maid, which is a children’s game, it is a card that you avoid.
Do Any Card Games Use the Joker?
Yes, many card games use the Joker card either as a wild card, a high-value trump, or a special-purpose card. While not every game includes it, those that do often give it a unique and powerful role. Here are some well-known card games (including those you’ll find on popular online platforms) that use Jokers:
Rummy
In many Rummy variations, Jokers are used as wild cards. Players can substitute them for any missing card while forming sequences or sets. There are two types of Jokers in Rummy: the printed Joker and the wild Joker (a randomly selected card at the start of the game).
Poker
In some Poker variations, especially casual or home games, the Joker is used as a wild card or a bug. A bug acts as a limited wild card, it can only be used to complete a straight or flush, or as an Ace.
Sevens
While the standard version doesn’t use a Joker, certain game formats may include Jokers as wild cards to unblock difficult plays or to represent missing cards in a sequence.
Call Break (variant rules)
In some casual formats or local versions, Jokers may be used to replace missing cards or act as trump-enhancers, although traditional Call Break doesn’t use Jokers.
Euchre and 500
The Joker is the highest trump card, often called the “Top Bower”.
Canasta
The Joker is a wild card worth 50 points in melds, while 2s (also wild) are worth 20 points.
Chase the Joker
A version of Old Maid where players try to avoid being left with the single Joker card at the end.
War
In some versions, the Joker is the strongest card, beating all others.
Pitch
Jokers are point cards, often labeled as High and Low, each with different ranks.
Daihinmin (Japanese)
The Joker acts as a wild card and can end a round or clear the pile when played.
Crazy Eights
Used as a skip card, similar to Uno. Playing it can force an opponent to lose a turn.
Spades
There are variations of Spades with Jokers. They use the two highest trump cards—the Big Joker outranks the Little Joker.
Double King Pede
The Joker is the lowest-ranking card, but it carries 18 points, making it valuable.
Go Fish
Jokers are sometimes added to create an odd number of pairs, especially in two-player games, to avoid a tie.
Dou Dizhu (Chinese)
Both Jokers are the highest-ranking cards, with one being Little Joker and the other Big Joker. The colored Joker usually outranks the black-and-white one.
Role of Joker card in Solitaire Games:
Most of the patience games eliminate the Joker card. Nonetheless, a few versions of Solitaire games use Joker as the wild card.
Forty Thieves
When the natural card is not available, place the Joker on the foundation. You can place any applicable cards over it. When that particular card is available, it replaces the Joker card. Until an Ace comes along, it is there on an empty foundation.
Free Cell
The Joker in Free Cell is also a wild card, and you can add it to the foundation pile. Add the other cards in the usual sequence. Until the natural playing card is available again, it stays. Place the card on top of its foundation pile, then build another foundation pile.
Golf
Again used a wild card. You can choose what purpose this card can serve within the playing cards. This is helpful while canceling out higher cards by making a “set” that leaves you with zero points. Some variants also use the 2 card as -2 points rather than face value. In six card golf game, they have a negative 2 value. If two cards in the same column form a matching pair of the same value, the point total for that column is 0.
The player with the lowest score at the end of 9 rounds wins.
Klondike
The card has a similar role as it has in Forty Thieves. Two of them are used in some versions, with the black one as a wild black card while the red one is a wild red card.
Pyramid
The player can place the Joker card on top of the waste pile. In that situation, for any card, the player can remove it from the pyramids.
Aces Up
The players use Joker cards to clear out a row, sometimes called “Joker Bombs.” When players deal into a column, you reshuffle into the stock after removing from the game. This leaves an empty slot that the player can use later. This increases the chances of winning.
Conclusion
The Joker card may seem like a mysterious extra in a deck of cards, but it has a rich and fascinating history. From being introduced as the “Best Bower” in Euchre to becoming the wild card in Poker and a game-changer in many popular games, the Joker has evolved far beyond its original purpose. It adds versatility, surprise, and strategy to gameplay—sometimes being the most powerful card and sometimes the most avoided. Whether used as a wild card, a trump, or even a card to skip a turn, the Joker continues to hold a special place in traditional card games as well as modern variations.
FAQs
What is the use of a Joker Card?
There are usually two Jokers in a standard deck of cards. The use of the card is different for different games. Many card games discard it completely; hence, it is often used to replace lost or damaged cards in a deck. In the Joker card, note down the lost card’s suit.
Why are there two Joker cards in a deck?
Most standard decks include two Jokers to maintain an even card count and to support games that use both as wild or trump cards. Some games also differentiate them as the “Big Joker” and the “Little Joker.”
What is the origin of the Joker card?
The Joker originated in the 1860s in the U.S. as an extra trump card called the “Best Bower” for the game Euchre. Over time, it became known as the Joker or Jolly Joker and was adopted into other card games.
Do all games use Joker cards?
No, not all games use Joker cards. Some card games completely discard them, while others use them as wild cards, trump cards, or even replacement cards for lost ones.
Is the Joker Playing Card the same as the Fool in Tarot cards?
They are not the same, but the Joker is often compared to the Fool card in Tarot. Both are symbolic, carry unique powers, and can represent freedom, chaos, or unpredictability in their respective games.
5. How do Solitaire games use the Joker card?
While many Solitaire games eliminate Jokers, some versions—like Forty Thieves, Klondike, and Golf—use them as wild cards or placeholders when a natural card is unavailable.
6. Can Joker cards replace a lost card in a deck?
Yes, in casual play, many people use a Joker to stand in for a missing card. You can write the value and suit of the lost card on the Joker for reference.
7. Which games use Joker cards the most?
Games like Poker, Euchre, Canasta, and Spades frequently use Joker cards—either as wild cards, trump cards, or high-ranking cards.
