I have used playing cards instead of Tarot for an "emergency" reading - and just read them as I would the Tarot (hearts=cups, diamonds=pentacles, spades=swords and clubs=wands). Obviously there's a lot less to go at than a Tarot deck, but this seemed to work for me in the circs. I'd be interested to know about the differences (or similarities) between Tarot and playing card reading.
Love Kirsty xx