Betting boards in relation to playing cards have been used throughout the world for a few hundred years. The games associated with betting boards vary from country to country. For example, in Germany the game is known as "Poch" and many elaborate boards for this game dating from the 17th century can be found in European museums.
 |
RUMMOLI BOARDThe bilingual betting board pictured on the left was donated to the collection in 1980. The donor indicated that the board was used within the family since the 1940s. The board was manufactured by Copp Clark Company, Ltd. Toronto, Canada. The board comes in a cardboard box 26cm square x 1.9cm high. The lid is 26.2cm square by 2cm high. The board itself is made of heavy paper and measures 76.3cm square - and acts as a card table cover as well as a betting board. The international suit symbols are used. The board is printed in both French and English, and enables betting on the cards pictured. A standard deck of playing cards, and chips or coins are required to play this game. |
 |
CANADA RUMMY BOARDThe photograph at the left is one side of a double sided game board. The other side of the board is the game of "Halma". The board was donated to the collection in 1980. The donor thought that it was manufactured in the 1940s in Canada. The board, printed on heavy cardboard, is 47.3cm long x 41.2cm wide. It is surrounded by a wooden frame. A standard deck of playing cards, and chips or coins are required to play this game. The board is for use by 2 to 8 players. Bets are placed in appropriate places on the board during different phases of a game. The areas of the board for placing bets are (clockwise): Poker Pool, Queen of Spades, King of Diamonds, Sequence of Four-Mixed Suits, Jack of Hearts, 10 of Diamonds, King & Queen of Hearts, Ace of Clubs. The international suit symbols are used on the board. |
 |
IMPERIAL RUMMY BOARDSimilar to the previous game, this photograph illustrates a board printed on heavy paper. It was donated to the collection in 1980. The board was manufacted by Samuel Lowe Company, Kenosha, Wisconsin (US), and measures 39.5cm square. Game instructions are printed in the corners of the space outside of the circle, but do not show up in this photograph. Imperial Rummy is played somewhat differently than "Canada Rummy". While the international suit symbols are used on the board as well, notice that the card markings on this board are all for placing bets upon cards in the hearts suit. One area of the board (upper left) allows for placing bets for "runs" in other suits. A standard deck of playing cards, and chips or coins are required to play this game. |
NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on April 1, 1998. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update: June 8, 2010