The Joker has become such a major part of popular culture – there are countless films and books featuring the character.

The character first appeared in 1940 in The Batman, although it has always been an important card in the various card games, being one of the highest ranking, only the Queen, the King and the Ace outrank it.

It is a particularly useful card in poker. A game which gained popularity during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Soldiers on both sides played between action, helping to spread the game throughout the country.

Depictions in literature and movies solidified its image as a game of skill, strategy, and chance, often played by sharpshooters and professional gamblers, with the Joker often playing a part in decisive hands. 

In the 20th century, poker tournaments became more popular. The World Series of Poker was established in 1970 and helped promote poker to a mainstream audience. 

The introduction of televised poker events, showcasing the drama and strategy of the game, contributed to its popularity. Then came the recent surge in poker’s popularity, thanks to the rapid growth of online poker. 

Websites and poker software allowed players to engage in poker games and tournaments from anywhere, anytime, making the game vastly more accessible.

In popular culture

The Joker has been mentioned in literature, film, and television. The card features in iconic moments, such as ‘bluffs’ and ‘big wins,’ contribute to the enduring fascination with the character.

Its enduring popularity can be attributed to a combination of historical context, storytelling – and the timeless appeal of the card.

The Joker in Batman

The cultural importance of the Joker can be shown by its prevalence in even the most unlikely creative endeavours.

One of the Batman films, for example, The Dark Knight, is sometimes called the greatest superhero movie ever made. Yet it’s also a film where one of the central characters is named ‘The Joker’.

Joker cards are shown throughout the film and there are many cryptic quotes that those in the know will spot as linking to poker.

For example, Bruce Wayne tells a business associate: “I’m playing this one pretty close to the chest.” The quote is repeated later when Harvey Dent says: “You do like to play things close to the chest.”

Dent also says that he wants to hit the “last game” in town and “you’re not playing the odds, friend.” He also tells Rachel: “I create my own luck.”

Joker himself says that “you need an ace in the hole”. 

Note that these are just quotes from one film. The entire Batman series is full of casual references to poker and card games.

The Joker, after all, is a fictional character named after a playing card. The use of playing cards is a symbolic element throughout all his appearances.

That’s why the Joker is portrayed as a chaotic unpredictable villain. The playing card motif is as a symbol of the character’s madness and unpredictability. 

Cards players will recognise how he always uses the tactics of bluffing and deception, which are fundamental elements of the game. The Joker’s association with playing cards has become an iconic part of his visual identity in all media adaptations, including comic books, movies, and television shows.

Here are a few notable quotes from different Joker portrayals in films that touch upon these themes of unpredictability:

Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight” (2008)

“Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I’m a dog chasing cars. I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just… do things.”

Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker in “Joker” (2019)

“I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a comedy.”

Jared Leto’s Joker in “Suicide Squad” (2016)

“I can’t wait to show you my toys.”

While not explicitly related to cards, this line reflects the Joker’s penchant for using various unpredictable methods to achieve his goals, like the diverse strategies and elements of chance in gambling and poker.

The themes of luck, chaos, and unpredictability associated with gambling are subtly woven into the character’s dialogue and actions in different ways across various Batman films.

The most obvious of these is the inclusion of playing cards which as a consistent motif reflecting the Joker’s chaotic nature. It’s great for the drama – and shows that links to games like poker have become integral elements in the modern storyteller’s arsenal.