Initially, the ace was the lowest card in the deck, "unity"

Ace in English called "ace", which in turn comes from Old French word "as" the value "one". Historically, the ace in the deck of playing had the lowest value and denoted by the symbol 1, but in time he, on the contrary, has become the dominant card. In games such as poker or blackjack player can choose the value of the ace - as the most senior, or as a unit. Great influence on the promotion had an ace up the French Revolution - he came to symbolize the supremacy of the common man over the Kings. In addition to maps, the word "Al" was applied to people who have reached the highest degree of excellence in their profession.

Source: www.muzey-factov.ru

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