Russian playing cards some famous Russian writers, particularly Alexandre Pushkin who wrote "The Queen of Spades". Because the 6 is the lowest card of the Russian deck, Russian slang uses the derogatory word "shestyorka" meaning "underling, lackey". Russian playing cards Russian playing cards are cards that used predominantly in Russia and in the former Soviet Union. Unlike the internationally known standard French 52-card deck, most Russian card games employ either the 36 card (games such as Durak) or the 32 card (particularly Preferans) decks. Playing cards were first introduced into Russia at the beginning of the 17th century from Western and Central Europe
S. W. Erdnase Herbert Lee Andrews, which have been discussed and debated on the Erdnase topic on the Genii Forum since 2003 S. W. Erdnase S. W. Erdnase is a pseudonym used by the author of "The Expert at the Card Table", a book detailing sleight of hand, cheating and legerdemain using playing cards. Still considered essential reading for any card magician, the book (usually known as just "Erdnase", EATCT, or sometimes "the Bible") has been in publication since 1902. Erdnase's true identity is one of the enduring mysteries of the magic community. S. W. Erdnase was most likely a way for the