Late nights meant more time for fun, especially for people flush with cash. Card playing and other games of chance that originated in the Middle East became wildly popular throughout Europe in the 1700s. The names of the games—hombre (Spanish), quadrille (French), cavagnole (Italian)—suggest the range of countries that adopted the trend. 

Elites usually played cards at home to socialize, flirt with lady luck, and flaunt disposable wealth. But children were also encouraged to join in the (daytime) fun, as card games also honed math skills.