A web-based application to prepare you for memorizing a full deck of playing cards using the Person-Action-Object (PAO) system, a powerful memory technique used by memory athletes.
General info on the PAO memorization system here.
- Clone the repository
- Open
index.html
in your browser - Practice with the flashcard system
- Track your progress with the streak counter
https://pao-trainer.netlify.app/
PAO is a playing card memorization system where:
- Each group of three cards represents a scene
- The scene consists of a Person performing an Action with an Object
- This creates vivid, memorable images that are easier to recall than abstract card numbers
-
Each group of 3 cards corresponds to:
- First card = Person
- Second card = Action
- Third card = Object
-
Example Scene:
Cards: Ace of Spades (AS), King of Hearts (KH), Queen of Diamonds (QD) Scene: Albert Einstein juggling glowing lightbulbs - Person: Albert Einstein (AS) - Action: Juggling (KH) - Object: Glowing lightbulb (QD)
- Make scenes vivid and outrageous
- Use all your senses when visualizing
- Add emotion and movement
- Link scenes together in a journey
- Start with one card group at a time
- Practice both forwards and backwards
- Time yourself to track improvement
- Use spaced repetition
Here are some example associations from the trainer:
AS-KH-QD = Albert Einstein juggling lightbulbs
JC-10S-9H = Bruce Lee karate chopping a brick wall
8D-7C-6S = Marilyn Monroe dancing in a red dress
Each suit has a specific theme to help with memorization:
- Theme: Literature, mythology, and fantasy
- Memory Hook: Hearts represent passion and creativity
- Examples: Shakespeare (writing), Thor (hammer), Robin Hood (bow)
- Pattern: Characters known for dramatic or passionate stories
- Theme: Achievement, discovery, and expertise
- Memory Hook: Diamonds represent value and excellence
- Examples: Mozart (music), Napoleon (conquest), Amelia Earhart (aviation)
- Pattern: People who pioneered or mastered their fields
- Theme: Ancient Greek gods and their powers
- Memory Hook: Clubs represent power and authority
- Examples: Zeus (thunder), Poseidon (sea), Athena (wisdom)
- Pattern: Each god's traditional powers and symbols
- Theme: 20th century pop culture and achievements
- Memory Hook: Spades represent groundbreaking achievement
- Examples: Einstein (science), Muhammad Ali (sports), Marilyn Monroe (film)
- Pattern: People who revolutionized their fields in modern times
-
Connect the suit's theme to its symbol:
- Hearts (♥) → Passion → Story characters
- Diamonds (♦) → Value → Historical achievers
- Clubs (♣) → Power → Greek gods
- Spades (♠) → Innovation → Modern icons
-
Use card ranks meaningfully:
- Ace-King-Queen: Usually the most powerful/famous figures
- Jack-10: Secondary but still important figures
- 9-2: Supporting characters or specialized roles
Card | Person | Action | Object |
---|---|---|---|
AH | Shakespeare | writing | quill |
KH | Thor | swinging | hammer |
QH | Wonder Woman | lassoing | golden lasso |
JH | Robin Hood | shooting | bow & arrow |
10H | Beethoven | conducting | symphony |
9H | Ninja | sneaking | smoke bomb |
8H | Chef | cooking | frying pan |
7H | Wizard | casting | spell book |
6H | Astronaut | floating | space suit |
5H | Cowboy | riding | horse |
4H | Pirate | sailing | ship |
3H | Knight | jousting | lance |
2H | Jester | juggling | balls |
Card | Person | Action | Object |
---|---|---|---|
AD | Mozart | composing | piano |
KD | Napoleon | conquering | sword |
QD | Amelia Earhart | flying | airplane |
JD | Indiana Jones | exploring | whip |
10D | DaVinci | painting | brush |
9D | Sherlock | investigating | magnifying glass |
8D | Firefighter | rescuing | hose |
7D | Blacksmith | forging | anvil |
6D | Scientist | experimenting | microscope |
5D | Surgeon | operating | scalpel |
4D | Race Car Driver | racing | steering wheel |
3D | Gardener | planting | seeds |
2D | Photographer | shooting | camera |
Card | Person | Action | Object |
---|---|---|---|
AC | Hercules | lifting | boulder |
KC | Zeus | thundering | lightning bolt |
QC | Medusa | petrifying | snake hair |
JC | Poseidon | wave making | trident |
10C | Atlas | carrying | globe |
9C | Artemis | hunting | silver bow |
8C | Dionysus | drinking | wine cup |
7C | Aphrodite | charming | mirror |
6C | Hades | ruling | helm of darkness |
5C | Apollo | healing | lyre |
4C | Ares | fighting | spear |
3C | Athena | strategizing | shield |
2C | Hermes | delivering | winged sandals |
Card | Person | Action | Object |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Albert Einstein | theorizing | blackboard |
KS | Arnold Schwarzenegger | lifting | dumbbell |
QS | Lady Gaga | singing | microphone |
JS | Bruce Lee | kicking | nunchucks |
10S | Elvis Presley | dancing | guitar |
9S | Muhammad Ali | boxing | gloves |
8S | Marilyn Monroe | posing | white dress |
7S | Houdini | escaping | chains |
6S | Marie Curie | experimenting | test tube |
5S | Michael Jordan | dunking | basketball |
4S | Serena Williams | serving | tennis racket |
3S | David Copperfield | levitating | magic wand |
2S | Charlie Chaplin | waddling | cane |
The stats page (stats.html) provides an overview of your training performance:
- Displays each memorized triplet along with correctness.
- Shows aggregate metrics, including the correct/incorrect ratio and total hands.
- Warns you if your local storage usage exceeds 8 MB.
- Start by memorizing one suit at a time
- Create vivid mental images for each card's three possible roles
- Practice recalling both forward (card → PAO) and backward (PAO → card)
- Use the trainer's spaced repetition to reinforce your memory