Topic 12: Learning The 52 Card Words - Tutorial 18
As stated in the Introduction, playing cards are difficult to remember because they are intangible. The system you are about to learn is based on having each card in the deck represented by a tangible item, which can easily be pictured.
The system is in fact an extension of the system you have already learned to help you remember numbers. You will be taught a Card Word for each of the 52 cards. The Card Words follow a definite phonetic pattern (remember the Phonetic Alphabet?), and are easy to learn. Each of the Card Words is an item which can easily be pictured, and hence associated to other items.
The phonetic pattern used is very simple. The Card Word for each card will begin with either H, C, D, S, for Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades. The next consonant sound in the word represents the value of the card. For example, the word home can only represent the 3H. It begins with a H for Hearts, and the next consonant sound in the word is m, for 3.
The word (and also picture) cake must represent the 7C. It begins with a C, for Clubs, and the next phonetic sound is k, for 7. Similarly, the 9S is soap, and dune can only be the 2D.
Once you understand the pattern, there are no choices or decisions to make. Before proceeding any further, make sure you understand the examples given so far.
Now, before presenting you with the full list of 52 Card Words to learn, here are some further rules about the Phonetic Pattern used.
The s sound will always be used to represent the four 10 cards - i.e. 10C, 10D, 10H, 10S. Since there is no zero of any suit, this fits in nicely with the pattern. The Aces are simply counted as 1 - e.g. the AD (Ace of Diamonds) will always be represented by the Card Word date.
The Court Cards Jack, Queen, and King are treated as numbers 11, 12 and 13 respectively. So the QC (Queen of Clubs) will always be represented by the word cotton - c for clubs, tt for 1 (the first digit of 12), and n for 2 (the second digit of 12). Similarly, satan will always represent the QS (Queen of Spades), and hooded will be the Card Word for the JH (Jack of Hearts).
As with the Peg Words, you will need to form a definite mental picture for each Card Word, and learn the words so well that every time you see, say, the Jack of Hearts in a deck of cards, you will instantly see a mental picture of a hooded man. Once again, the mental pictures you form are entirely up you - the important thing is that you should be able to see each picture clearly, and be able to conjure up the picture instantly.
On the next page is a list of the 52 Card Words for you to learn thoroughly. Because the words follow a definite pattern, they are much easier to learn than you think. Take some time now to learn them thoroughly - you will find them just as effective an aid for remembering Playing Cards as the Peg Words are for remembering numbers.
As you learn each Card Word, fix on a definite mental picture for that word and stick to that same picture every time. We could give you suggestions for the mental pictures, but you will be aware by now that this removes your Initial Awareness - it is much better if you form your own, vivid mental images for the words. Here is the complete list of 52 Card Words :
Clubs Diamonds Hearts Spades
----- -------- ------ ------
AC - Cute AD - Date AH - Hat AS - Suit
2C - Can 2D - Dune 2H - Hen 2S - Sun
3C - Come 3D - Dame 3H - Home 3S - Sum
4C - Core 4D - Door 4H - Hair 4S - Sore
5C - Cool 5D - Duel 5H - Hole 5S - Sail
6C - Cash 6D - Dash 6H - Hash 6S - Sash
7C - Coke 7D - Deck 7H - Hog 7S - Sock
8C - Cuff 8D - Dive 8H - Hoof 8S - Safe
9C - Cap 9D - Dip 9H - Hoop 9S - Soap
10C - Case 10D - Daze 10H - Hose 10S - Suds
JC - Cadet JD - Dotted JH - Hooded JS - Steed
QC - Cotton QD - Detain QH - Hoe Down QS - Satan
KC - Cut Me KD - Dead Ham KH - Hit Me KS - Steam
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Take some time right now to learn them as thoroughly as you learned the Peg Words. Remember that the phonetic pattern almost tells you what the word for each card is.
When you think you are ready to test yourself on the Card Words, Click Me