Curse of Scotland excluded, making the 7, later called the "beer card", a "stop") but there is no direct relation with the 9. Gomme's book goes on to claim "At the game of Pope Joan, the nine of diamonds is Pope; therefore the nine of diamonds is the curse of Scotland". "The Spectator" review considered the claim "more cogent in form than in matter". A letter written in response to "The Spectator's" book review pointed out that the saying was established well before Culloden, and preferred the Pope Joan theory to other explanations. Other explanations given in the letter were: An 1864 book
Ober (playing card) Ober (playing card) The Ober, in Austrian also called the Manderl, is a court card in the German and Swiss styles of playing cards, which corresponds in the hierarchy to the Queen in French decks. The figure depicted on an Ober is usually a nobleman or officer. It is distinguished from the lowest court card Unter by the figure's suit sign located in the upper range of the card. In the Württemberg pattern the Ober appears on horseback, as they inspired by Cego decks whose face cards included a Knight or Cavalier as well as the Jack, Queen and King.