# Origin of "Spader"?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [February 26, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579 "2010-02-26T22:37:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579/1 "2010-02-26T22:37:31Z")
I know “Spader” is a common term to refer to people who try to find out the inner workings of video game mechanics. I vaguely remember that it came from an article talking about the four types of video gamers, and how they corresponded to suits (Hearts=Socialite, Clubs=PVPer, Diamonds=101%/Speedrunner, Spades=Base Mechanics data collector). But I can’t for the life of me find the article from which these terms came. Can anyone help?
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579/2 "2010-02-26T22:47:29Z")
This may get a better response in The Game Room than GQ.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579/3 "2010-02-27T02:34:24Z")
[http://www.mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm](http://www.mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm)
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### Author:  [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579/4 "2010-02-27T02:59:15Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#):
>
> [Richard A. Bartle: Players Who Suit MUDs](http://www.mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm)
Thank you!
Also, this is humorous in its detachment:
> [@Richard A. Bartle](#):
>
> Players use the tools provided by the game to cause distress to (or, in rare circumstances, to help) other players. Where permitted, this usually involves acquiring some weapon and applying it enthusiastically to the persona of another player in the game world.
And I am totally a Diamond.
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### Author:  [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2010, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-spader/530579/5 "2010-02-27T12:23:13Z")
used to be clubs, now i am halfway between hearts and diamonds =)