What is "kvitlech"

''This article refers to the card game; for the prayer note see Kvitel.

Kvitlech, also spelled Kvitlach, Quitli or Quitlok, (, literally "notes", "slips") is a game similar to blackjack played in some Ashkenazi Jewish homes during the Hanukkah season. Most packs used to play the game consists of 24 cards with identical pairs numbered from 1 to 12. The pack may have originated from Hexenspiel decks by stripping them of picture cards so as to avoid idolatry. The game and deck were created by Hassidic Jews living in Austrian Poland during the 18th or 19th century. Piatnik & Söhne of Vienna was the largest producer of these cards during the 19th and 20th centuries which helped spread the game among Jews living in Austria-Hungary and their North American diaspora. Most European players were killed during the Holocaust and the number of North American players has dwindled.