TaroBear's Lair

Promoting the use of
Tarot cards for their true and original purpose:
GAME PLAY

Most of us are familiar with Tarot cards and their use as a fortune-telling device. But did you know that these cards were not originally intended for this purpose? In fact, history indicates that they were originally created about 600 years ago for the purpose of playing games! While this fact is well known in parts of Europe where these games are still played, very few people in other parts of the world have been aware of this use of the Tarot deck. It is a shame, really, that the games which have to their credit being forerunners of many of today's most popular games, including Bridge, have been virtually unheard of in the U.S. and indeed, most English speaking countries.

However, in recent years, they have slowly started to creep into the American consciousness. In fact, for the last several years, the popular software title Hoyle's Card Games has featured the game French Tarot (under the title of simply "Tarot") alongside Gin Rummy, Canasta, Poker, Euchre, and other more mainstream games. Also, there are game sites on the internet where French Tarot and other Tarot games can be played against opponents all over the world. Recently, there are even some presented in English, which, for many years, was not to be seen!

Though the games have started to catch the attention of people in the U.S., the cards used to play these games have been VERY difficult to find. Usually, one ends up having to order them from overseas and paying outrageous shipping costs! Well, the situation is changing!!!

    This website serves a dual purpose:
  1. To help you learn these games by providing links to the rules as well as to other information on the internet.
  2. To make the appropriate cards for playing these games more easily available and more affordable to the American card player.

  Shop at TaroBear's Lair!

In our store you will be pleasantly surprised to find a variety of Tarot playing card decks imported to the U.S. from various parts of Europe:  Tarot Nouveau cards from France Cartes of France, Tarock cards from Piatnik of Austria, and Tarocco Piemontese, Bolognese, and Siciliano cards from Modiano of Italy ... all the styles you need to fully equip you for all of your favorite Tarot games!

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