Deck View: Wicked Kingdom Playing Cards

Fantasy. Dark. Gorgeous.

Hand-painted by fantasy illustrator Wylie Beckert, Wicked Kingdom is an art-rich deck of playing cards set in a dark fantasy world and populated by a cast of strange and complex characters. This gorgeous deck was our pick for our Top 12 Playing Cards of 2016 and features insanely detailed, hand-drawn artwork with a dark fantasy flair.

This custom deck features dual-identity face cards with a narrative twist and obsessively detailed, hand-painted artwork throughout. Hand-drawn pips, elegantly watermarked number cards, and subtle one-way card backs add to the intensely illustrated flavor of the deck.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company on casino-quality Bee card stock. For other cool playing cards, check out JP Playing Cards.

Cardistry: Dealersgrip Member Leaves Group

Tobias Levin has left Dealersgrip. The news was announced via a message shared on social media and confirmed by Oliver Sogard. Dealersgrip formed in 2014 and have since released multiple cardistry tutorials including the award-winning flourish “Flip Phone” and recently, the STRIPE Playing Cards.

The message announcing Tobias’s departure read;

Hey guys, so after 3 amazing years with Dealersgrip, I’ve chosen to move on to other things…

Hey guys, so after 3 amazing years with dealersgrip, I’ve chosen to move on to other things. It’s been incredible to see the community flourish and for dealersgrip to be a part of it. I am truly grateful for all the support we’ve received, without you non of this would have been possible. For me Stripe playing cards and everything we’ve accomplished with dealersgrip, represents something bigger than just a deck of cards. It is a realisation of the urge to break free from the doubt that I can’t realise my dreams. Having the cards finally in my hands and seeing the community embrace them, gives me a deep motivation to follow what I feel is right for me. The work I’ve accomplished with Oliver is something I am very proud of and dealersgrip will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you, you'll hear from me soon 🤙🏼 This does not mean dealersgrip will end. It only means that I'm going to be working on other things. #noconfusion

A post shared by Tobias Levin (@tobiaslvn) on Mar 27, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

Remaining member, Olivier have stated that Dealersgrip will continue under a new format, “Good luck with your future endeavours,” he wrote. “Dealersgrip will continue under a new format - more info on this TBA.”

Shoutout to mr. @tobiaslvn. It's been a wonderful journey. Good luck with your future endeavours. Dealersgrip will continue under a new format - more info on this TBA. Peace.

A post shared by Oliver 🌐 (@oliversgrd) on Mar 27, 2017 at 10:38am PDT

Last week, the group just completed shipping out STRIPE Playing Cards,

… for me Stripe playing cards and everything we’ve accomplished with Dealersgrip, represents something bigger than just a deck of cards. It is a realisation of the urge to break free from the doubt that I can’t realise my dreams. Having the cards finally in my hands and seeing the community embrace them, gives me a deep motivation to follow what I feel is right for me.

Much to the relief of all his fans, Tobias is NOT leaving Cardistry.

Thanks for all the kind words❤ I'm not quitting cardistry btw.

A post shared by Tobias Levin (@tobiaslvn) on Mar 28, 2017 at 4:39am PDT

News: The GEMINI Casino Playing Cards Are Back in New Red Colourway

Red Gemini is the second edition to the popular Gemini Casino decks line up. Conceptualized by Estonian playing card designer Toomas Pintson, Gemini is a fictional casino deck inspired by treasured classics like Jerry's Nugget and Dunes Casino playing cards.

Gemini was made to look like a vintage deck you might find in an old Las Vegas warehouse from the ’70s. According to Toomas,

I love anything related to Las Vegas, especially old Las Vegas casinos, so it came naturally for me to design my own casino themed deck. Finding a good name was the hardest task. I named this casino after my astrological sign Gemini. It really sounds and looks like a legit casino that may have existed in Las Vegas in the '70s.

Combining a nostalgic ’70s design and high-quality modern day printing techniques by the United States Playing Card Company, Gemini definitely appeals to those who love and collect vintage casino playing cards.

Printed in high-quality Bee stock, this premium quality deck handles like a casino deck. Every deck has been Traditionally cut. Red Gemini Casino deck now available at geminidecks.com

Contest: Your Chance to WIN decks from Brendan Hong's Private Collection!

Last week, we had the first look of Brendan Hong's new deck, MARQUIS Playing Cards, a charming deck inspired by Brendan’s love of classical designs of playing cards of the 20th century.

MARQUIS is currently seeking funds on Kickstarter and is going strong having raised 58% against the goal of CAD$35.7k. Thrilled by this, Brendan is offering the opportunity for campaign backers and Kardify readers to win selected deck from his private collection.

This includes:

Signed ICO deck

Signed Carat Card Case DYNASTY Deck

Signed Test DYNASTY Folding Box Deck

More decks will be unlocked once project milestones are met:

Rules: 

• You must be a backer of the project when the campaign has ended and funds collected.
• Winners will be selected at random
• One winner per contest prize

Drawings will take place on the weekend after the Kickstarter funds are collected for MARQUIS Playing Cards (approximately 2 weeks after project is over). Winners will be contacted directly by Brendan to collect mailing information.

Best of Luck to everyone! To be a backer, click here!

We want to thank Brendan for the opportunity to bring this contest to his backers, a lot of nice unique bonus items for a lucky few supporters of the project. As all Kickstarter projects, they can't become a reality without the help and support of it's backers.