This nonpareil card game has its own set of cards. Without them, you can't play Tarot! Composed of a total of 78 long cards, a Tarot card deck contains the traditional 4 suits (♠︎♥︎♦︎♣︎) but is distinguished from conventional card games by the presence of the following cards:

• Knights.
• 21 Trump cards.
• The Excuse.

You'll find the traditional 4 suits (56 cards), 14 cards for each color (♠︎ Spades, ♥︎ Hearts, ♦︎ Diamonds, and ♣︎ Clubs). They are ordered from the Ace to the King, with the Ace being the weakest of cards.
14? Did you say 14? Yes, a 14th card is added to the Face cards: The Knight! It comes between the Jack and the Queen.
A suit is ordered as such:

• 4 Face Cards: Jack - Knight - Queen - King (the King being the strongest of suits cards).

• 10 low cards from Ace to 10.

Considered the 5th color of the game, the Trumps are always higher than any other suits, like in Belote. The 21 Trump cards enclose two scenes representing:

• an urban interpretation of a particular trait or idea,
• a rural one.

These domestic scenes represent early 19th-century social activities of the wealthy European bourgeoisie at home and in the town and country, different moments of a lifetime and a season of the year, with numerals positioned on the four corners of the card.
Two of these trump cards are Oudlers: the Petit (1) and the 21.

• the Petit (1) is the weakest of the trumps, but it can still cut a King. It is the stake of a thrilling hunting party, also called “La Chasse au Petit”, which will bring the successful player valuable points. In the case it is played at the last trick, it's "Le Petit au bout", it'll grant the successful player(s) a bonus. 

The 21 is the strongest of the trumps. This card will ensure to win the trick. Played carefully, it will oblige the other players to let go of some valuable trump cards.

The 3rd and last oudler is the Excuse! Marked with a star and representing a mandolin player, this unnumbered card serves as a backup, “apologizing” for the player who owns it for not playing the requested color or trump. It can be played at any trick in replacement of any card, either in trump or suit. To simplify, the Excuse is the “Joker” of the Tarot! Players can play it if they don't want to play other cards, to protect points, keep large and valuable trump cards, hand over to a partner, etc. However, the Excuse has no value and therefore cannot win a trick. Note that the Excuse always belongs to the player who plays it, but it must not be played on the last trick, in which case it would change sides.

So, keep an eye open, don't hesitate to count the cards, and continue to read our FAQ for more details to learn how to play with this beautiful Tarot card deck!