Gaming & Gambling

Gambling on card and dice games was popular throughout the SCA period. Religious authorities and governments sometimes tried to prohibit gambling, either entirely or for specific categories of people (such as women). But the games persisted, many famous figures gambled, and both activities were mentioned in literature across the eras and in many locations.

Learning a few card and/or dice games is a great way to add to your persona while also creating a fun activity for several people at events. For gambling, you can, of course, acquire reproduction coins or just use common items as markers, anything from food (nuts, candy) to buttons, beads, or pebbles.

Resources

Medieval & Renaissance Games Home Page -- Rules for many games taken from historical sources. Also has transcriptions of period books on gaming and gambling books. An excellent place to start!

The Merry Gamester PDF -- A handy PDF book of medieval through 19th-century card and dice games, intended for the historical reenactment audience.

Echna's Celtic Knucklebones and Dice Page - How to make and play this early-period dice game from Ireland. Hint: They're made from sheep's bones.

MacGregor Historic Games - Online store selling reproduction 16th-century playing cards, perhaps the best prices you'll find. Also sells knucklebones, wooden dice, fabric checker boards, and other games.