18th Century Playing Cards

By the 18th century,the sale of playing cards in America was so profitable, they were specifically targeted by the Stamp Act. George Washington played Whisk for money (and sometimes lost), yet in 1777 at Morristown, recognizing the dangers of gambling, he issued a general order forbidding "All officers and soldiers playing at cards, dice or any games...." Popular during America's colonial and Revolutionary War periods were Whisk (Whist), Lotto, Cribbage, and Pope Joan, varieties of which are still played today.