General term for playing cards, including Western-style cards. Less common than トランプ in modern Japanese.
It's been a while since I played with playing cards.
mahjong tiles made of animal bone
Specifically refers to mahjong tiles crafted from animal bone, as opposed to modern plastic or other materials. Domain-specific term used in mahjong contexts.
These mahjong tiles are made of cow bone, not ivory.
playing card tax; tax on playing cards, mahjong sets, domino sets, etc.
A Sino-Japanese compound of 骨, “bone,” and 牌, “tile or card.” The reading reflects consonant assimilation in the earlier combination こつはい, producing こっぱい.