Crown (Royal Purple Edition) Playing Cards

Crown (Royal Purple Edition) Playing Cards continue the refined design language of Joker and the Thief with a deck that balances everyday practicality and elevated aesthetics. Expanding on the brand’s ongoing exploration of life, death, and stoic philosophy, Crown presents a quieter, more contemplative luxury, one rooted in restraint rather than excess.

Hand-illustrated by Pedro Oyarbide, the Royal Purple Edition bridges tradition and modern design with minimalist court cards created in-house. The clean visuals keep gameplay, magic, and handling front and center, allowing the cards to perform without distraction while still carrying a strong visual identity. 

The deck’s stoic inspiration, shaped during founder James Milaras' travels through Greece, subtly informs its symbolism and tone, giving the cards narrative depth beyond their surface elegance.

They are housed in a richly detailed tuck box featuring heavy embossing and sealed with Joker and the Thief’s signature foil manufacturer seal. Printed on premium paper stock with a smooth, effortless finish, the cards are built for consistent handling and durability.

Available now on Joker and the Thief for $15.

Gunslingers Playing Cards by Joker and the Thief

Now on Kickstarter, Joker and the Thief rides back into the frontier with Gunslingers Playing Cards, a deck steeped in the folklore of the Old West. Inspired by outlaws, ghost stories, and desert myths, the deck reimagines the brand’s iconic Joker and Thief as two elusive riders whose calling card... the Ace of Spades appears wherever they strike. 

The back design illustrated by Pedro Oyarbide draws from late-19th-century American decks, merging classic symmetry with frontier grit. Two editions are offered during the Kickstarter campaign: a Standard version in deep reds and greens, and the Outlaw Edition with gold metallic ink that catches the light like treasure.

Each suit reflects a different face of frontier life: Diamonds embody ambition and its cost; Spades represent lawmen obsessed with justice and revenge; Hearts honour the land’s original warriors and seers; Clubs portray drifters and desperadoes who haunt saloons and shadows.

The deck’s Jokers bring the myth to life one living, one spectral... riding beneath a blood-red sunset.

The tuck boxes continue Joker and the Thief’s reputation for premium presentation: the Standard uses rugged letter-pressed textures, while the Outlaw Edition elevates the design with black stock, foil stamping, and embossing.

Printed by King Star, Gunslingers Playing Cards blends atmosphere, craftsmanship, and myth into a deck made for handling, displaying, and collecting. Pledge starts at $24 on Kickstarter.

J&T Celebrates 10th Anniversary with No Borders (2nd Edition) Playing Cards

Joker and the Thief celebrates 10 years of innovation with No Borders: Series 2, a collection of playing cards inspired by decks from their back catalog. This series showcases fresh designs while honoring the brand's rich history, blending creative artistry with practical functionality.

Each deck draws inspiration from the intricate interior patterns of past releases:

• Joker and the Thief Back: A tribute to the original deck, featuring the interior pattern from its debut tuck box, paired with the elegant colorway of the Edition 5 release.

• Maidens Back: Featuring the floral interior design of the Maidens tuck box, originally illustrated by Kentaro Yoshida, it pays homage to this 2018 cult classic.

• Dystopia Back: Inspired by the gritty post-apocalyptic "Dystopia: Interceptor Edition," it showcases a bold skull-and-bones motif.

• Victory Back: This deck celebrates Joker and the Thief's first borderless design, honoring the limited-edition Victory Playing Cards.

• Crown Back: A tribute to the stoic simplicity of the Crown Playing Cards, featuring the iconic three-headed snake design, available in both red and blue variants.

All six decks shave the same Ace of Spades, and hand-illustrated court cards by Pedro Oyarbide that combine elegance and clarity.

The tuck boxes are crafted from matte black paper stock- feature blind embossing, intricate letterpress detailing, and a unique die-cut window revealing each deck's back design. Gold foil accents and perforated seals add functionality and sophistication, ensuring ease of use without sacrificing elegance.

With its striking designs and luxurious craftsmanship, this collection stands as a testament to Joker and the Thief’s decade-long commitment to artistry and quality. Pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.

King’s Head Playing Cards

Now on Kickstarter, King’s Head Playing Cards are inspired by vintage royalty and designed by Mexican illustrator Luis F. Cavalcanti. The team from Joker and the Thief make a return, telling the tale of the rivalry in the King’s court, where they ultimately plot to seize the throne. 

This deck series is filled with ornate detail, crafted to elevate both magic and cardistry and enhance any card game night. Drawing on a vintage aesthetic with a regal twist, King’s Head pays homage to early 20th-century playing cards, elegantly updated for the modern collector and player.

Inspired during a journey through the medieval city of Valletta, Malta, Joker and the Thief’s founder, James Milaras, encountered a 1940s cigarette packet in vibrant blue and red, depicting a royal figure that became the inspiration for King’s Head. After keeping the idea on hold, the project was brought to life by Cavalcanti, culminating in a deck that radiates a timeless yet modern luxury.

The Ace of Spades is this deck’s centerpiece, styled after early American playing cards from the 1930s. Every element has been crafted to echo the era’s elegance, from the card backs to the intricate court cards, which have been redrawn in a vintage style, capturing the deck’s rich historical inspiration.

The tuck box features luxurious elements like hot foil stamping, embossing, and intricate interior printing. Each tuck box also includes a custom, easy-to-open perforated seal, preserving the artwork without damage.

King’s Head comes in three striking colorways—Green and Yellow, Purple and Rose, and Red and Blue—all inspired by classic vintage designs. A special edition, limited to 300, offers a lavish Black and Gold colorway with foil stamping on the card backs for an extra touch of opulence. The Gilded Editions are even more exclusive, with only 52 decks per color, each numbered and edged in matching colored foil, making them a true collector’s piece.

Printed by WJPC and pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

False Idols Poker Playing Cards

Step into the world of Mayan myth with False Idols Poker Playing Cards. Produced by Joker and the Thief and illustrated by Joaquin Nava Ochoa, these cards explore ancient deities and are currently funding on Kickstarter.

The back design features rich Aztec and Mayan symbolism with a central sun disc, blending vibrant reds and yellows against a dark backdrop. Each card, from the Ace of Spades representing death to the Ace of Hearts symbolizing love, is intricately designed to enhance the thematic experience.

The court cards tell a cohesive story: the King of Spades represents destiny and duality, the Queen of Spades reveals hidden truths, and the Jack of Spades embodies relentless ambition. The King of Hearts symbolizes protection and sacrifice, the Queen of Hearts empathy, and the Jack of Hearts the warmth of love.

The King of Clubs stands for leadership and rebirth, the Queen of Clubs for progress, and the Jack of Clubs for bold force. The King of Diamonds symbolizes the earth’s riches, the Queen of Diamonds balance, and the Jack of Diamonds innovation.

Each card in the deck, including number cards, is a work of art. The Joker and the Thief are wild cards, with the Joker disrupting order and the Thief altering the game subtly.

Also, a special “Totem Edition” deck, limited to 300, features hot foil stamping and metallic inks. Additionally, two gilded editions with bronze and gold foil edges are available, each limited to 52 unique decks.

The tuck boxes are luxurious, with letterpress, embossing, and custom seals, adding to their beauty. Featuring premium paper stock and exceptional durability, these cards offer an enchanting playing experience. Printed by WJPC and available NOW on Kickstarter for $20.

Joker and the Thie Crown Edition 2 Playing Cards

Joker and the Thief has launched the latest addition to the Crown series of playing cards on Kickstarter. The luxurious Crown Edition Playing Cards embodies the perfect fusion of practicality and aesthetic appeal, drawing inspiration from life, death, and the profound philosophy of stoicism.

Meticulously hand-illustrated by renowned artist Pedro Oyarbide, the inception of the Crown Edition Playing Cards took place against the backdrop of the ancient city of Athens, Greece, where J&T founder, James Milaras, was immersed in the rich history and philosophical teachings of the region. Influenced by the majestic views of the Parthenon and ancient schools of thought, James envisioned a deck that would not only captivate the senses but also provoke introspection and contemplation.

Now available in a stunning GREEN, and brilliant metallic GOLD, the Crown Edition features a captivating array of imagery that reflects the stoic ethos. The Ace of Spades, traditionally associated with death, serves as a poignant reminder to embrace the present moment and live life to the fullest. The scales symbolize balance, while the thorny vines and circle of bones convey the entrapment and impermanence of life.

The court cards, designed in-house with practicality in mind, embody the minimalist aesthetic synonymous with Joker and the Thief. The court cards strike a delicate balance between elegance and functionality, making them ideal for card games and magic tricks alike.

The Crown 2 Edition features exquisite tuck boxes adorned with intricate letterpress, embossing, and custom seals. The standard versions boast beautiful ink printing on premium paper stock, while the Luxury Edition exudes opulence with premium black paper stock, satin gold foil, and interior foil stamping.

For collectors and connoisseurs seeking the ultimate prize, the Limited Luxury Edition of Crown Playing Cards is limited to just 500 decks. Each Luxury Edition deck is individually numbered and features hot-stamped foil on the back of the cards, gold gilding on the edges, and a foiled and embossed tuck box.

In addition, collectors can enhance their collection with the exclusive Holographic Gilded Edge Crown Decks, available as add-ons. Available now on Kickstarter from $17.

Check Out J&T's No Borders Playing Cards Series!

Now on Kickstarter, the captivating No Borders Playing Cards series is a collaborative creation by Joker and the Thief in partnership with the talented Pedro Oyarbide. This extraordinary collection comprises SIX distinct editions, each meticulously crafted to offer a unique blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

As the name suggests, the No Borders series offers a borderless experience that merges practicality with style. With each deck featuring a different back design, ranging from classic to abstract, this series celebrates the limitless potential of a deck of cards as a canvas for artistic expression.

From the sleek elegance of the Sovereign edition to the dynamic energy of Thunderbolt, each deck in the series embodies a distinct theme.

Grand-Prix is a tribute to the timeless allure of racing, with a checkered pattern that speaks to both classic racing flags and a modern aesthetic.

Cutback is an exuberant homage to the carefree surfer’s lifestyle, its design rich with the warm hues and rhythmic patterns reminiscent of the rolling waves and vibrant beach-scapes from Bali to Bondi. This

Thunderbolt is a dynamic evolution of the classic border design seen on the original Joker and the Thief decks, reimagined into a striking, borderless pattern!

The Honeycomb exudes a timeless elegance with its geometric precision, offering a sleek, classic aesthetic for the modern card enthusiast. 

The Crazy Back is a visual representation of the unpredictable and dynamic essence of the Joker and the Thief, key archetypes of our brand.

Sovereign pays homage to the storied history of playing cards with a pattern that captures the fluidity and elegance of vintage designs from the early 20th century in the United States.

All decks feature meticulously illustrated Court Cards and iconic Joker and Thief characters, adding depth and intrigue to the collection, and weaving a captivating narrative.

True to the Joker and the Thief brand, the No Borders series features luxurious tuck boxes crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Made from premium matte black paper stock and adorned with blind embossing elements, these tuck boxes exude sophistication and elegance.

The innovative die-cut window on the back of the box allows players to glimpse the back design of the cards. At the same time, the perforated Joker and the Thief seal ensure easy access to the deck without leaving any residue.

Pledge starts at $16 on Kickstarter. Don’t miss out!

On Kickstarter, Seafarers (Challenger Edition) Playing Cards

Joker and the Thief is back on Kickstarter with another luxurious version of the Seafarers! The Challenger Edition is a 100% custom luxury nautical-themed playing card deck designed by Gustavo Magalhaes.

This deck embraces classic American deck designs, aiming for timeless appeal. The red color is not just aesthetically pleasing; it has vital nautical significance, indicating the port side of a vessel and emergencies at sea.

The deck features custom Ace of Spades and court cards, hand-illustrated to tell unique stories. From octopus tentacles in hearts to vipers in clubs and skull motifs in diamonds, each suit has its theme. The Joker and the Thief, a signature motif, add intrigue.

One of the highlights of Joker and the Thief decks is the premium letterpress tuck case with embossing and custom seals. Seafarers: Challenger Edition also offers a Limited Edition Gilded deck, with red foil on the sides, limited to 150 decks, each uniquely numbered.

With 100% custom design, premium paper stock, excellent handling, and durability, this deck combines artistry and quality for card enthusiasts. Pledge starts at $18 on Kickstarter.

Joker and the Thief: Crown Edition Playing Cards on Kickstarter

The team at Joker and the Thief (J&T) continues to captivate with the release of the new J&T Crown Edition playing cards. Only a few more days on Kickstarter, this new deck series is a perfect blend of practicality and artistry designed by Pedro Oyarbide.

The design of the J&T Crown card backs draws inspiration from the wisdom of ancient philosophies, with a special focus on stoicism – a belief in embracing resilience, finding tranquility, and exploring the profound connection between life and mortality.

The back design features one of our favorite quotes from Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, “Death smiles at us all, and all a man can do is smile back.” This is the ultimate stoic quote – representing strength and impartiality in the face of the guarantee of death. 

The Crown courtcards are a masterstroke! Embracing a minimalist design, they elevate legibility and focus, perfect for card games and mesmerizing magic tricks. This minimalist approach aligns perfectly with stoic philosophy, emphasizing the essence and shedding the superfluous.

The Ace of Spades sports the iconic Joker and the Thief motif and it serves as a potent reminder to cherish life’s precious moments and live in the present. Encircled by thorny vines and crowned with scales, this powerful symbol signifies the balance needed to lead a purposeful and fulfilled existence. And that’s not all – it challenges the traditional symbolism of the Ace of Spades, urging us to embrace life rather than fear death. A true representation of stoicism’s wisdom in a single card!

Three main versions are made available during the campaign, red, blue and luxury. The red and blue versions of the Crown deck will sport packaging that will feature beautiful ink printing on premium paper stock and comes with embossing where you will be able to feel the texture of the art work. 

The Limited Luxury Edition of Crown Playing Cards is a rare gem you won’t want to miss. The premium black paper stock, satin gold foil, and elaborate embossing evoke the highest order of sophistication. And with only 500 decks available, each adorned with a unique numbered seal.

Pledge starts at $17 on Kickstarter. Don’t miss out!

On Kickstarter: Maidens (Foil Edition) Playing Cards

oker and the Thief are back on Kickstarter with one of our favourite deck of playing cards… Maidens! This time, with shiny foil! This enchanting fully custom deck was designed by Kentaro Yoshida and inspired by Dia de Los Muertos.

In this new edition of Maidens Playing Cards, tendrils of copper foil are stamped into the back design. The Maidens ensnared within the mirrored card back design wander the spirit plain, a place beyond the living.

The hand-illustrated court cards are completely custom. Each card is unrestricted by borders, allowing the desgin to take full advantage of the space of the card.

Also, the cold foil stamping can now be found on the face cards, including courts, and the eye-catching Maidens ace of spades.

One of the most well-recognised and praised aspects of a Joker and the Thief deck are their incredibly luxurious tuck boxes! The luxurious Maidens packaging features foil on the exterior and interior of the boxes, specially dyed paper, and embossed all over!

Available NOW on Kickstarter for $20.

Deck View: Happy Sad Playing Cards

Happy. Sad. Contemporary.

The contemporary and fun Happy Sad playing cards are part of Joker and the Thief‘s line of Cardistry decks! This deck picks up Joker and the Thief’s themes of duality and runs with it with a fresh, minimal approach.

The fully custom design is created by Pedro Oyarbide featuring a tessellating pattern back design. The court cards are modelled on classics and have been completely re-illustrated by hand to create the distressed vibe associated with the brand. This rough around the edges approach continues onto the rest of the face cards and Ace of Spades.

The tuck box is manufactured to the same premium standards as the rest of the Joker and the Thief line, with premium matte paper and interior printing. Printed on Premium Crushed Stock and Finish by the United States Playing Card Company. Available NOW from jokerandthethief.com for just $5. GREAT VALUE!

Deals of the Week: 15% Off at TWI and $5 Happy Sad Deck

We have TWO cool deals this week to help you save on playing cards.

Thirdway Industries:
Flash Sale at thirdwayindustries.com with 15% off for a few days to get some older TWI decks. Use coupon code: crazyimps15

Joker and the Thief:
Who doesn’t love a $5 deck? Joker and the Thief’s Happy Sad playing cards are now available for $4.97. While stocks last at jokerandthethief.com.

Discover more deals, coupon codes, and offer on tuckcase.com

On Kickstarter, Seafarers (Commodore and Admiral Editions) Playing Cards

Seafarers Commodore and Admiral Editions playing cards are Joker and the Thief‘s (J&T) FINAL nautical expedition. Designed by Gustavo Magalhães, Seafarers is J&T’s most popular deck ever! Part of the winning appeal of Seafarers is its classic design language. According to the Kickstarter campaign page,

The original goal behind this deck was to create a classic deck of cards reminiscent of vintage American deck designs. It is clear to us that classic designs survive the test of time. That is in any industry whether it be a classic vehicle or a deck of cards! Timelessness is key! 🔑 The Admiral and Commodore Editions clearly belong in the Captain’s Quarters of any vessel, and elevate the original deck into something truly luxurious!

The luxurious Commodore Edition adopts a gorgeous royal navy blue as its primary colorway. This rich Pantone ink is complimented by a copper metallic ink that shimmers elegantly.

Meanwhile, the Admiral Edition takes heavy inspiration from the J&T White Gold deck featuring an incredible gold metallic ink.

Inside, the card backs not only incorporate symbolically and thought-provoking imagery, but they also maintain a timeless air. The Ace of Spades gives the Seafarers its identity – striking a balance between the classic aesthetic and brand’s identity.

The borderless custom court cards are meticulously illustrated from scratch by hand. Themes from the back design carry across, giving life to these majestic oceanic royals. These courts develop their own distinct identities and every suit tells its own story. Each Jack, King, and Queen are thematically and symbolically linked.

The decks are kept secured in fully custom tuck box featuring foil on the exterior and interior of the boxes, special dyed paper, and embossed all over.

Printed by the USPCC with crushed stock and finish. Pledge starts at $37 for a set of 2 decks on Kickstarter.