Playing cards arrived in Europe in the fourteenth century, and the aristocracy took to them right away. There were regional variations in the card designs and suits, wteen pattlith the French and German suits having the greatest influence. People from all social classes started playing card games as a common past time, and they were frequently used for gambling and fortune-telling. Over time, card games underwent modifications to accommodate diverse cultures & tastes, as well as the creation of new ones.