We're already listed in their sidebar! :) I might make a post a bit later too. The mod of !linguistics@mander.xyz actually helped us initially set up the community!
Yeah that happens a lot in the rest of the world too. In Italy there are two main manufacturers and they each have their own slight variations upon every regional design. Here in NL I don’t even see the classic (carta mundi brand) dutch style anymore. It’s mostly American cards here now.
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.
Whenever I travel somewhere, as a souvenir, I buy the local design of playing cards. Even within the colour-regions there are many variations. I might be biased because I’m dutch, but the Dutch Cut is one of my favourites, because of the architecture on the aces!
In Italy every region has their own design! (Even within the ones shown in this map.)
That’s what Merlin Bird ID told me too, so I think you’re right! Just thought it was pretty awesome to see in the middle of this massive city! I could even get quite close.
Great race imo. Bummer the fight at the front ended in trouble like that, but it was very exciting!