Reading the Cards Playing Cards   Card Combinations One significant difference between reading the Tarot and reading playing cards is the strong emphasis put on card combinations when reading playing cards. Although the concept applies to the Tarot and is certainly used, the card spreads used and the addition of the Trumps (Major Arcana) makes large numbers of multiples less likely. There are some combinations shared by both decks, especially relating to the occurrence of multiple court cards. The following chart shows interpretation of multiples of the same card of different suits in the same spread:   Card Multiples of Two Multiples of Three Multiples of Four Partnerships or reunions (Clubs & Hearts - marriage Spades & Diamonds -difficult union) Good News, Lucky Break Triumph Parting of ways Direction reversed Reaching a crossroads Choices Stability Hope Shaky foundation Foundation weakened Secure foundation Personal challenges Disappointments Personal desires realized Contradictions Hard work Unexpected challenges Light-hearted fun (Two red sevens - love and pleasure) Lowered vitality (brief illnesses) Conspiracy Indiscretion, brief affair causes regret (Two red eights - new clothes) Not good to make long term commitments now Worries and burdens prove too much to handle Minor gains Good Health Wishes come true Circumstances improve (Two red tens - wedding) Plans get upset Guaranteed Success Disagreements False friends Quarrels High Spirits, Parties, Battles Meeting with female friend Idle chat, gossip, curiosity Visits Betrayal of Confidence Social Events Scandals Business partnership, good advice Good Support Rewards, Success   Other Combinations There are many combinations of cards which various readers may find significant. Here is a brief list of some of the more common combinations: Ace of Diamonds/Ten of Hearts - romance leading to marriage Ace of Diamonds/Ten of Diamonds - marriage for money Ace of Diamonds/Six of Hearts - invitation Ace of Diamonds/Six of Spades - news of failure Ace of Diamonds/Seven of Hearts - news of rivalry Ace of Diamonds/Nine of Hearts - love letter Ace of Clubs among Diamonds - success in money matters, business deal Several Court cards - a social gathering King, Queen or Jack between two cards of same number - support for person King or Queen between two Jacks - protection from enemies Queen of Spades between a King and a Queen - relationship break-up Jack next to either King or Queen - protection Jack among several Diamonds - message about money Seven, Ten and Three of Diamonds - a secret wish will come true Seven and Eight of Diamonds - do not give cause for or spread gossip, will come back to you Eight of Diamonds and several Court cards of any suit - a social gathering Eight and Nine of Spades (or Nine and Ten of Spades) - health problems Nine and Ten of Diamonds - journey by sea Nine of Diamonds/Eight of Hearts - journey for pleasure Ten of Diamonds/Ten of Clubs - windfall Ten of Diamonds/Eight of Clubs - meaningful journey Ten of Hearts/King & Queen of Hearts - possible wedding Ten of Diamonds/Seven of Spades - delays Five and Eight of Spades - jealous rival, be careful Four of Diamonds and Four of Spades - a decision against one's will