The Origin of the German Phrase "Drawing the Ass Card"

Possible Derivations
There is no certain knowledge about the exact origin of the phrase, only assumptions. The two most popular theories are:

• Derivation from the red card in soccer: In 1970, the yellow and red cards were introduced in soccer. To avoid confusion, referees often put the yellow card in the front breast pocket and the red card in the back trouser pocket. When the referee pulls the red card out of the "ass pocket," the player figuratively "draws the ass card" and is sent off the field.
• Derivation from card games: The phrase could also originate from card games, where the affected person draws the bad card themselves and thus has bad luck. This would be comparable to the expression "drawing the black peter." In more recent times, the "black peter" was then replaced by the coarser "ass card" to strengthen the statement. Only later was the term transferred to the red card in soccer.

Conclusion: "Ass Card" - Figurative Phrase in the Sense of "Having Bad Luck"
Ultimately, the origin of the phrase "drawing the ass card" cannot be clearly determined. Both the derivation from the red card in soccer and the reference to card games are plausible and could have contributed to the emergence and spread of the expression. In any case, the figurative phrase in the sense of "having bad luck" has become firmly anchored in colloquial language.