There are a wide variety of playing cards. Some card decks are game specific particularly Pinochle cards, Bridge Decks, and Poker decks. Other card games are King's Corner, Solitaire, Gin Rummy, War, Old Maid and Slap Jack.
There are various categories of games that can be played using playing cards. There are fortune telling cards such as Tarot cards, Author cards, and book cards. There are historical fact games, special interest games and a wizard card game.
There are educational card decks such as Arithmetic flash cards, Trivia fact cards, and many more. There are self help card decks such as blessing cards, affirmation cards, conversation cards, and corporate training card decks.
While it is not a game strictly speaking, building a house of cards is fun. The foundation is two card placed facing each other on the short end of the card and a card is place on either side of the two cards. As you move out you can also move up in height. Sounds easy right...NOT!!!! The slightest breath of air can tumble your card castle in seconds. The secret is to not breathe, have a window open, or anyone in the room with you. Since that isn't possible, you need to be extremely light handed while building your card house.
Card decks have the number and the suit imprinted on the front with some kind of a design on the back. They are printed with a plain matte finish, a glossy finish or no real finishing at all. Laminated card decks are best because they will last much longer than other types of decks.