Is trading and playing cards for entertainment permissible or forbidden, provided it does not distract one from prayer and duties?

It is not permissible to sell playing cards (kutchina) if it is highly probable that the buyer will be distracted by them from obligatory duties or will use them for gambling, due to the assistance this provides in sin. The common outcome for those who play with them is addiction, even at the expense of their duties. Therefore, the aspect of prohibition prevails, as a preventative measure, in accordance with the rule: "When lawful and unlawful matters converge, the unlawful takes precedence."