In order to save souls from purgatory, spiritual card games - also known as the "spiritual lottery" - were popular in Tyrolean ossuaries. In the "Armseelenspiel" (game of poor souls), cards were drawn that had printed numbers on them and instructions. They indicated which souls should be prayed for.

The spiritual playing cards from the Villnößtal bear the playing card colors of the German leaf: acorn, foliage, heart and bells. They were common in the region, so the spiritual cards were designed to resemble ordinary playing cards. They contain tasks and prayers for the believers. Although this form of gambling was not without controversy, the players believed that they were performing a pious service.