Recognizing credit cards by the Jolly Roger [Sample: American Express] XXXX XXXXXX XXXXX MM/Y1 THRU MM/Y2 Y1 John Doe AX Explanation: The first date is the date the person got the card, the second date is the expriation date, after the expiration date is the same digits in the first year.The American Express Gold has many more numbers (I think 6 8 then 8). If you do find a Gold card keep it for it has a $5000.00 backup even when the guy has no money! [Sample: Master Card] 5XXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX AAA DD-MM-YY MM/YY John Doe. Explanation: The format varies, I have never seen a card that did not start with a 5XXX there is another 4 digits on the next line that is sometimes asked for when ordering stuff, (and rarely a 3 digit letter combo (e. ANB). The first date is the date the person got the card and the second date is the expiration date. Master Card is almost always accepted at stores. [Sample: VISA] XXXX XXX(X) XXX(X) XXX(X) MM/YY MM/YY*VISA John Doe Explanation: Visa is the most straight forward of the cards,for it has the name right on the card itself, again the first date is the date he got the card and the second is the expiration date. (Sometimes the first date is left out). The numbers can eather be 4 3 3 3 or 4 4 4 4. Visa is also almost always accepted at stores, therefore, the best of cards to use.