Case Study (Version 11) Playing Cards

Case Study (Version 11) Playing Cards by Dan and Dave is an experimental playing card project that explores the intersection of cardistry, architecture, philosophy, cinema, design, and Japanese aesthetics within the traditional 52-card structure. The series is built around the idea of deconstruction and reconstruction, using iterative design as a creative framework.

Across the broader Case Study concept, 52 prototype back designs are reimagined through systematic variation, all derived from the foundational DD logo. This approach treats the card back not as a fixed graphic, but as a design system capable of endless reinterpretation... blending minimalism, structure, and conceptual art into a unified visual language.

Version 11 stands out within the series as an artistic hand-sketched interpretation of the card back, featuring the iconic DD logo as its central motif. This edition emphasizes raw illustration and expressive linework, giving the deck a more tactile, studio-study feel compared to more geometric or refined iterations in the series.

Produced as a limited collector’s release, Case Study Version 11 is numbered from 001 to 288. Available NOW on Dan and Dave store for $30.

Case Study Version 8 Playing Cards

Dan and Dave continue to push the boundaries of playing card design with Case Study Version 8 playing cards, the latest addition in their long-running series exploring playable art. The Case Study series has long served as an experimental canvas, refined through decades of study and practice. 

Drawing inspiration from cardistry, architecture, philosophy, cinema, and Japanese aesthetics, the twins create decks that honor the traditional playing card framework while expanding its artistic possibilities. 

Case Study 8 introduces a borderless, one-way back design composed of circles, squares, and triangle shapes in a striking red and black palette, enhancing both geometric clarity and dynamic visual energy during play and flourish.

Now on Dan and Dave for $30.

Dan and Dave's Case Study Playing Cards Version 7 Released

Dan and Dave have released Version 7 of their fascinating Case Study playing cards series, continuing the evolution of this long-running exploration of playable art. The new edition features a mirrored card back built around the iconic Dan and Dave logo, presented in a striking red, white, and black colorway that emphasizes symmetry, contrast, and motion.

The Case Study series is an experimental exhibition of design refined through decades of study and practice. Drawing inspiration from cardistry, architecture, philosophy, cinema, and Japanese aesthetics, the twins work within the traditional framework of playing cards while continually pushing its boundaries.

With Version 7, Case Study continues to serve as a visual archive of ideas, offering both a snapshot of the brand’s design philosophy and a foundation for future creative exploration.

Available for $20 on Dan and Dave store.

Case Study Playing Cards by Dan and Dave

The Case Study playing cards series is an exhibition of playable art, crafted by Dan and Dave after decades of study and practice. Each deck is pressed onto premium paper and packaged as a collectible, offering both functional playing cards and a piece of artistic expression. 

Case Study is an experimental project that blends a wide range of influences, from cardistry, architecture, and design to philosophy, cinema, and Japanese aesthetics. 

Working within the traditional framework of playing cards, the twins deconstruct and recombine fifty-two prototype back designs, each anchored in their distinctive brandmark. The result is an object of art designed for cardistry, magic, collecting, or everyday play. 

These decks serve as a visual archive, providing inspiration and guidance for future creations. Each deck is a limited edition, numbered from 001 to 288, with a special signed, black-foil A.P. edition of just 12 copies.

Case Study Version 1 sold out. Version 2 and 3 still avaiable on Dan and Dave store for $30.

Smoke & Mirrors V8 Playing Cards

Originally created as an exclusive release in China to celebrate the enduring legacy of Dan and Dave's  Smoke & Mirrors series, this V8 edition was never officially sold due to a subtle printing imperfection. 

While virtually invisible to the untrained eye, the creators held the release back to maintain their high standards.

After persistent requests from collectors and fans, the decks are now being made available for the first time as a limited two-deck set.

Only 720 sets exist, making this a rare opportunity to own a unique piece of Smoke & Mirrors history. Available for $24 from Dan and Dave.

Smoke & Mirrors Anniversary Edition: Carbon Playing Cards

Originally released in 2012, the Carbon Edition of Smoke & Mirrors makes a bold return as part of the brand’s 15th Anniversary celebration- reimagined, redefined, and more elegant than ever. This version marks the sixth and final colorway in the original series.

Designed by Dan & Dave in collaboration with Brad Fulton, this special edition moves away from the original bordered design in favor of a clean, borderless back. The result is a seamless visual flow ideal for flourishes, fans, and spreads, making it as functional as it is beautiful.

The design takes direct inspiration from 19th-century typography, bringing a layer of historical sophistication to the deck. At its center is the iconic D&D monogram, updated in a new typeset and framed by a minimalist dot pattern. This subtle yet striking back design bridges the ornate and the modern with confidence.

Inside, the deck is fully custom- the intricate Ace of Spades, an elegantly styled joker, and thoughtfully customized number cards. The Arrco-style court cards remain a hallmark of the series, beloved by cardists and magicians alike. 

The presentation is just as refined as the cards themselves. The tuck box is letterpress printed in soft gray and sealed with a classic stamp—a fitting final touch to this anniversary release.

The deck is printed by the USPCC on D&D’s signature thin stock. Available for $25 on Dan and Dave's store.

Damn Good Cards No.7

Retro-inspired. Play, Diamond.

Damn Good Cards #7, is part of Dan and Dave’s acclaimed playing card series. One of my personal favourite! This beautifully crafted deck features a retro-inspired, one-way design, with "Play" set in a striking blue and gold diamond pattern reminiscent of mid-century print ads. Inside, the deck includes standard faces, white borders, and no seal, all tucked in a linen-finish box. 

Printed by USPCC on Thin Crushed Stock, it offers smooth handling. Available now at Dan and Dave store for $12.

Smoke & Mirrors (Relaunch Edition) v2 Playing Cards

Dan and Dave's Smoke & Mirrors V2: Relaunch Edition is a tribute to one of the most iconic playing card designs since its original release in 2007. Celebrating the 17th anniversary, this limited edition brings back the minimalist court cards, joker, and ace of spades from the v2 deck, with a subtly modified back design. It's the closest you can get to the original without the high resale market price. 

This release is exclusive, with only 720 decks available. It captures the essence of the Smoke & Mirrors legacy, making it a must-have for collectors and cardistry enthusiasts alike. 

 

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company, this deck uses a proprietary thin stock. Available for $15 on Dan and Dave.

Dan and Dave's Smoke & Mirrors (Relaunch Edition) Playing Cards

Originally released in 2007, Smoke & Mirrors playing cards have been an iconic staple in the cardistry and magic communities, with over thirty unique editions produced. To commemorate their 17th anniversary, Dan and Dave have introduced the limited Relaunch Edition of Version 1, capturing the essence of the original deck.

This edition revives the minimal court cards, joker, and ace of spades, along with a slightly modified back design, offering the closest experience to the original deck without the high resale market price.

Available in two exclusive options, the Standard Edition is limited to 720 decks, while the Signed Edition is limited to just 100 decks.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company on proprietary thin stock developed for cardistry, these decks ensure optimal handling and durability. Available for $15 on Dan and Dave. Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of playing card history with the Smoke & Mirrors Relaunch Edition.

HMNIM V2 Playing Cards

Nautical. Octopus. Gray.

Created for Hi My Name Is Mark (HMNIM), a lifestyle brand by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 fame, the original HMNIM playing cards are a collaboration with Dan & Dave in 2014. The cards quickly sold out and have since been one of Art of Play‘s most-requested decks to bring back.

The art within the deck is predominantly focussed around HMNIM’s branding, in particular, the use of the octopus. The nautical theme has custom card backs, Ace of Spades, Jokers, and face cards. The courts for all suits are hand-illustrated and have repeating one-way designs.

Initially released in a navy-blue colorway, version 2 comes in a slate-gray colorway. Packaged in a luxurious letterpress-printed tuck box. Sealed with a gold stamp. Printed by the U.S. Playing Cards Co. with metallic gold accents on a thin-stock preferred by cardists.

Dan and Dave's Work Released to the World!

On April 29, Dan and Dave made a significant decision that will impact the cardistry world. They have chosen to dedicate their entire body of original work in sleight of hand, magic, and cardistry to the public domain under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license.

This bold move entails relinquishing their copyright and claim to originality, effectively making their creations freely available to everyone worldwide. Under the CC0 license, individuals are granted the freedom to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon Dan and Dave’s material in any medium or format, without any restrictions—even for commercial purposes. This means that anyone can now access and use their works without the need for prior permission.

The Buck twin’s decision to open up their creations to the world is driven by a desire to foster creativity and innovation in others. They believe that by removing barriers to access and encouraging collaboration, their works can serve as a catalyst for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the art of sleight of hand, magic, and cardistry. This act reflects their commitment to the advancement and evolution of the arts, ensuring that they continue to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.

Wish Wonder Playing Cards

Dan and Dave unveiled the Wish Wonder deck, a premium playing card set born from a collaboration with Chad Nelson, and the talented designer Nicolaz Groll.

Packaged in a luxurious soft-touch black box, adorned with tonal black foil, the Wish Wonder Deck exudes elegance and sophistication. Each deck represents an infinite network of possibilities, accompanied by two poetic manifestos that invite contemplation and reflection.

At the heart of the design is the back pattern, a visual representation of boundless possibilities and an abstraction of infinite windows. It’s a testament to the belief that magic is real and that anything is possible when we dare to dream.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these cards are printed by The U.S. Playing Card Company on crushed paper, ensuring a superior handling experience. The Wish Wonder Deck is available in a limited edition of 888 standard decks.

Available now on Dan and Dave for $18.

Damn Good Cards No. 8 Playing Cards

The latest addition to Dan and Dave‘s Damn Good Cards pays homage to the iconic Bauhaus art movement of the 1920s with its bold one-way pattern, exuding sophistication and elegance. This striking back design, inspired by the principles of Bauhaus design, features clean lines and geometric shapes that are sure to catch the eye of cardist and collectors alike.

Good Cards No. 8 comes with standardized faces, white borders, and is packaged inside a sleek minimal tuck box with no seal. Practical for games nights and magic routines.

Printed by the USPCC on Dan and Dave’s beloved Thin Crushed Stock. Available now for $12 on Dan and Dave.

Smoke & Mirrors Anniversary Denim Edition Playing Cards

The fourth colorway, denim blue joins the exquisite Smoke & Mirrors Anniversary series. Produced in collaboration with Brad Fulton, this fifteen-anniversary rendition is a homage to 19th-century typography, inspired by the original Smoke & Mirrors design, delivering a sophisticated and captivating aesthetic.

The cards are adorned with intricate details, showcasing the iconic D&D monogram set in a new typeset, encompassed by a mosaic pattern on the card backs. Customized ace of spades, joker, and number cards suits further enhance the allure of this edition.

Encased within a deep blue tuck box, each meticulously letterpress-printed container is sealed with a distinctive stamp, reflecting the quality and distinction of this Smoke & Mirrors edition. The Standard Edition is available alongside the exclusive Limited Edition Twinpack, personally signed and numbered by the artists, with each pack ranging from 1 to 250.

Printed with precision by the U.S. Playing Card Co., using our trademark thin stock, the deck proudly embraces classic Arrco-style court cards, ensuring a refined and elegant touch. Available now from Fultons Playing Cards for $18.

Smoke & Mirrors V9 Orange Edition Playing Cards

Exciting news for fans of Smoke & Mirrors. Back in print after a decade-long hiatus, Dan and Dave have just added a new colorway to the Smoke & Mirrors ninth edition… vibrant Orange!

Marking its comeback, this edition is a tribute to the fourth version initially released in 2010. Returning to its roots, the ninth edition mirrors the aesthetics of Version 4, boasting a reminiscent back design, minimalistic court cards, customized jokers, and an intricately designed ace of spades, a throwback to the OGs that captivated enthusiasts a decade ago.

The Orange edition serves as the herald for a series of forthcoming color variations, promising a palette of vibrant choices in the upcoming months. Available in multiple options, collectors can choose from the Standard Edition, the Standard Edition signed by D&D, or the Deluxe Edition. 

The Deluxe Edition comes encased in an oversized swivel box, complete with a numbered seal limited to just 999 units, presenting a luxurious and exclusive addition to any collection.

Printed by the prestigious United States Playing Card Company, this iteration of Smoke & Mirrors is crafted on a proprietary thin stock. Available NOW from dananddave for $15.

Now Available, Cardistry-Con 2023 Playing Cards

The Cardistry-Con 2023 deck are produced by Art of Play in collaboration Dan and Dave. These cards showcase a distinctive and minimalist design crafted specifically for cardistry but retain their practicality for all card-based games.

The cards feature a custom one-way back design, aces and court cards with white, red and black colorway. Instead of the traditional Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds, the deck comes with a modern twist, Circle, Triangle, Square and Cross. The tuck features a geometric shape design consistent with the card back.

Printed with precision by The United States Playing Card Company, these cards are produced on a unique and proprietary thin stock developed by D&D. Limited edition release with only 1,500 decks. Available NOW from Vanishing Inc. for $14.95.

Smoke & Mirrors 15th Anniversary (Green Edition) Playing Cards

Dan and Dave with longtime friend and collaborator Brad Fulton, has released a new fifteen-anniversary edition in a green colorway that takes inspiration from 19th-century typography. This new deck is an homage to the original Smoke & Mirrors design with intricate details for a sophisticated look.

The cards feature the iconic D&D monogram in a new typeset surrounded by a mosaic pattern on the backs. This beautifully crafted deck comes with a custom ace of spades, joker, suits for the number cards along with classic Arrco-style court cards

Packaged inside a green letterpress-printed tuck box sealed with a stamp. Printed by the U.S. Playing Cards Co. on thin stock. Standard Edition ($18) is available along with a Limited Edition Twinpack ($85) signed and numbered by the artists 1 through 250 on fultonsplayingcards.