<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations . Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Lotería is a game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of plain numbers on ping pong balls . Every image has a name and an assigned number, but the number is usually ignored . Each player has at least one tabla, a board with a randomly created 4 x 4 grid of pictures with their corresponding name and number . Players choose what tabla they want to play with, from a variety of previously created tablas . Each one presents a different selection of images . </P> <P> Lotería is the Spanish word for lottery . The deck is composed of a set of 54 different images, each one in a card . To start the game, the caller (cantor, or singer) randomly selects a card from the deck and announces it to the players by its name, sometimes using a riddle or humorous patter instead of reading the card name . The players with a matching pictogram on their board mark it off with a chip or other kind of marker (many Mexican people traditionally use small rocks, crown corks or pinto beans as markers). The first player with four chips in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row, squared pattern, any other previously specified pattern, or fills the tabla first shouts "¡ Lotería!" (Lottery!) or "¡ Buenas!" (Good!) and is the winner . </P> <P> The origin of lottery can be traced far back in history . The game originated in Italy in the 15th century and was brought to New Spain (Mexico) in 1769 . In the beginning, lotería was a hobby of the upper classes, but eventually it became a tradition at Mexican fairs . </P>

How many cards are in the game loteria