Huh, pretty cool. I live in the blue area, and always thought others used the same type, because that's what I've seen in all the places I've been. Is there data available for the rest of the world?
In latin America spanish style cards are often used, and you might find some southern italian designs with italian-americans. But for the most part the rest of the world uses the standard “french” suits.
Also, nowadays if you ask for a deck of cards in most of the other places, you’re still likely to get a french-suited deck. Usually the american style (think of your typical bycicle brand card deck).
When I tried to buy a dutch style deck here in the Netherlands they didn't even have it at my local board game store! I had to order them online.
There's a Dutch suit too?? I feel like some island inhabitant who just learned that there's a whole world out there full of people, planes, porn, and pop culture, after having grown up alone with his coconuts. This is definitely a rabbit hole I need to explore.
Only Latin American country I've been to is Brazil, and at least the deck of cards we had there was French suit.
Thanks, but that URL doesn't load on my phone, so I'll check it out on my PC tomorrow. I'm curious if all the countries I've visited have used French style.