Remembering cards

Techniques > Memory methods > Remembering cards

Usage | Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Usage

Use this method to remember playing cards.

Description

Develop a set of words associated with each card, using vivid images. For example, the six of spades, could be remembered as 'SS' with an image of a world war 2 German SS officer. Alternatively, it could be remembered as '6S', which sounds like 'success' and remembered as a successful person jumping for joy.

Then remember the sequence or set of cards using a memory method, such as the Story Method. If cards are being played in a game, then you can simply extend the story as they appear.

Example

A hand containing the Queen of Spades, the Ace of Diamonds, the Four of Clubs and the Three of Spades, could be remembered thus: The Queen of England is planting a tree with a big spade when her crown, containing one large diamond falls off. A famous player from a football club (FC = four of clubs) helps her up, and makes her feel easy (3S sounds like 'easy').

Discussion

This method uses other memory methods customised for the purpose. In particular, it uses the Peg Method to identify each card, then the example above uses the Story Method to string together the cards needed.

Another variant for remembering cards is to link (peg) vowels to suits and consonants to numbers. The king of spades may thus be KA (K = King, A = spades), from which the word 'kangaroo' may be used.

You can also use pegging to remember the position of a card in a pack.