Piedmontese tarot
In its own language: Tarocco Piemontese
A 78-card Italian deck used for trick-taking games in northern Italy and beyond
The Tarocco Piemontese is a 78-card playing deck from Italy. It serves as the standard pack for regional card games in northern Italy. The deck features unique trump rankings and reversible cards.
- Contains 78 cards with 22 numbered trumps
- Cards are reversible for modern gameplay
- Trump 20 typically outranks Trump 21
- Featured in the 2006 Turin Olympics closing
- Produced in Pinerolo since at least 1505
What it is
The Tarocco Piemontese is a 78-card deck designed for trick-taking games. It stands as the most common tarot set in northern Italy. Players use it for popular local games like Scarto and Partita. The deck differs from French-suited packs and remains distinct from other Italian variants. Its structure supports complex gameplay through numbered trumps and specific suit hierarchies.
Where it comes from
Production began in Pinerolo by 1505. Early descriptions from 1565 show Bolognese and Florentine influences. A period of economic collapse around 1700 halted local manufacturing. Players then imported decks from France. Production resumed around 1735 using the Marseilles pattern. Local artisans later adapted these designs into double-ended cards by the late 19th century.
How it is done
Games involve following suit or playing trumps to win tricks. The Fool acts as an excuse card that relieves players from following suit. Trump ranking usually places card 20 above card 21. Suits follow specific orders: kings down to jacks, then pips. Some groups remove lower pips to create smaller 62 or 54-card decks for faster play.
Tools and materials
The deck contains 22 numbered trumps and four 14-card suits. Suits include swords, batons, cups, and coins. Modern versions feature reversible cards for easier handling. Indices mark cards with Arabic or Roman numerals. Each suit includes a king, queen, knight, jack, and numbered pips up to ten.
Piedmontese tarot, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Italian suited playing cards
What it is for
People play this deck for entertainment and social gathering. It serves as a cultural marker for Piedmontese identity. The deck appeared in the 2006 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Turin. Historically, it functioned as the standard pack for the Kingdom of Sardinia before political annexations changed its usage.
Who does it
Households and local clubs maintain the tradition. No formal training exists for general players. Knowledge passes through community practice and family games. The deck requires no spiritual initiation. It remains a secular pastime for enthusiasts across northern Italy and diaspora communities.
Peoples and places
The deck originates from Piedmont and Savoy. It spread to Nice before French annexation. Swiss players in Ticino adopt the format. Italian Argentines also maintain the tradition. The deck replaced earlier local patterns and competed with Sicilian variants in specific towns.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
What people believe
No spiritual beliefs attach to this deck. It functions purely as a game tool. Historical lists show early players ranked the Angel trump higher than the World. This ordering persists in some areas despite modern numbering conventions. The deck holds no religious significance for its users.
When it is done
Play occurs during casual gatherings and festivals. The deck gained visibility during the 2006 Winter Olympics. No specific holy days govern its use. It serves as a year-round recreational activity for families and social groups in northern Italy.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Historians trace the deck through 16th-century texts by Francesco Piscina. Scholars note similarities to Viéville’s Parisian decks around 1650. Economic records explain the shift to French imports in the 18th century. Researchers study how local adaptations modified the Marseilles pattern over time.
Cautions and what is closed
The deck poses no health or safety risks. It involves no animal sacrifice or hazardous materials. Fraudulent claims about its power do not exist. The cards are simple paper items. Players engage in harmless competition without legal or physical danger.
Compare and confuse
It differs from the non-tarot Piemontesi deck which uses French suits. The Tarocco Piemontese shares roots with the Tarot of Marseilles but adds reversible design. It contrasts with the Tarocco Bolognese in trump order and card count. Sicilian players once used it as an alternative to their local variant.
Law and persecution
No laws restrict the production or sale of these cards. The deck faced no persecution during historical periods. Political changes in Savoy and Nice altered its official status but did not ban it. Modern reproduction continues legally since 1984 without restriction.
Questions people ask about Piedmontese tarot
What is the Piedmontese tarot?
It is a 78-card Italian deck used for trick-taking games. It features unique trump rankings and reversible cards. The deck remains popular in northern Italy today.
Where does this deck come from?
It originated in Piedmont, Italy, with production in Pinerolo by 1505. Later versions adopted French Marseilles patterns after local manufacturing ceased around 1700.
How many cards are in the deck?
The standard deck has 78 cards. It includes 22 trumps and four suits of 14 cards each. Some groups play with reduced decks of 62 or 54 cards.
Is it used for fortune telling?
No. It is designed strictly for card games. Players use it for social entertainment and competition. It holds no spiritual or divinatory purpose.
Good reading and sources
- Tarocco Piemontese on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tarocco Piemontese", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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