The first part of this treatise will be concerning the material of the game in itself.

In all things, any honest person will manifest something of number in all things.

Here begins the treatise on the morals and discipline of human justice. And in the first chapter, mention will be made of the material of the game and the diversity of its instruments.

In every game which is called by men the "game of cards" ludus cartularum; an early Latin name for playing cards, different people depict those cards in different ways, and some play with different styles, so that the form—and first as it pertains to us—is such that four kings are depicted on the cards, each of whom sits on a royal throne. And each holds a certain sign in his hand, by which signs some are considered good and others bad. Likewise, with each [king] there are two marshals original: "marschalchi"; in early decks, these were the "Upper" and "Lower" officers, later becoming the Knave or Jack, the first of whom holds the sign upward in his hand in the same manner as the king, while the other holds the sign downward in his hand. After these, there are ten other cards of the same size and form without images; on the first, the aforementioned sign of the king is placed, and then twice below, and so on for the others up to the tenth card inclusive. Thus, the aforementioned signs of the kings are placed ten times. And so, each king is the thirteenth card [in his suit]. And in all, there are fifty-two cards original: "quinquaginta duae".

Afterward, there are others who make the game in the same way with queens and with as many cards as was already said of the kings.

¶ On the other hand, there are others who arrange the cards or the game such that there are two kings with their marshals and other cards and those partially vary in this manner and fashion by many. And two queens in the same manner with theirs.

¶ Likewise, others take four kings, others always [take] each with his marshals and other cards according to whatever pleases them original: "placito"; referring to the players' preference or the local custom. And thus this game varies in form and material by many.

Likewise there are others...