The Klutz Book of Card Games for Sharks & Others by the Editors of Klutz Press, 1990.

This book is part of the classic children’s hobby and activity series from Klutz Press. Originally, this book came with a deck of cards, which was attached to the book at the hole in the upper left corner.

The book begins with a brief history of playing cards. The exact origins of playing cards are unknown, but the book describes some notable events in card game history, including the fact that people throughout history have often disapproved of playing cards, identifying them as signs of sloth or believing them to be associated with the devil (probably for their connection with gambling, although the book doesn’t get that specific). The book says that the modern form of the standard 52-card deck with 4 suits of 13 cards solidified around the late 1400s in Europe.

The book then gives instructions for playing various card games, including various types of solitaire and two-player games as well as games for larger groups. The book has the rules for different versions of Poker and Rummy and some childhood classics like War, I Doubt It, Crazy Eights, and Old Maid. For games that involve gambling concepts, like Poker or Michigan, they recommend using M&Ms.

Besides giving the rules for the games, each section also includes a few words about the history of games or some interesting thoughts or facts about them or tips for playing. Many of the thoughts (and some of the history facts) about games are joking, like the tip for Egyptian War, “This game is traditionally played on lunch or picnic tables, when you’re supposed to be taking your tray back.”

At the end of the book, there are instructions for two magic tricks with cards and for building a house of cards.

The book is available to borrow and free for free online through Internet Archive.