Hoyle and his Legacy

Published July 12, 2023 Updated July 12, 2023

Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) was an English writer who made his name by writing on whist and a selection of other games.

1742 United KingdomLiteratureHoyleCard Games
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By Tony Hall

United Kingdom • Member since January 30, 2015

I started my interest in card games about 70 years ago, playing cribbage with my grandfather. Collecting card game materials started 50 years or so later, when time permitted. One cribbage board was a memory; two became the start of a collection currently exceeding 150!

Once interest in the social history of card games was sparked, I bought a wooden whist marker from the 1880s which was ingenious in design and unbelievably tactile. One lead to two and there was no stopping.

What happened thereafter is reflected in my articles and downloads on this site, for which I will be eternally grateful.

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