Joker and the Thief: Reserve Edition Luxury Playing Cards

Joker and the Thief presents the Reserve Edition—a special 5-deck collection of playing cards masterfully illustrated by Pedro Oyarbide. These decks signify stories and memories, connecting individuals through shared experiences.

J&T founder, James Milaras shares his passion for collecting cards, emphasizing the allure of exclusive and signature editions in the cardistry world. The Reserve Edition aims to honor this sentiment and create decks that are both artworks and practical tools. Each deck is enriched by brilliant cold foil stamping, and seamlessly merges with Pedro’s iconic artwork, ensuring coherence and beauty.

The Ace of Spades, enhanced with cold foil elements and the signature of James Milaras, stands out as a symbol of luxury and design innovation. Additionally, the court cards from the original Joker and the Thief decks add continuity and brand identity to the Reserve Edition.

The Jokers pay tribute to the bond between James and Pedro, representing their close friendship and collaboration. Known for their luxurious tuck boxes featuring custom seals, foil applications, and embossing, Joker and the Thief aims to maintain this distinct quality with the Private Reserve Editions.

Pledge starts at $26 on Kickstarter.

Less Than A Week on Kickstarter, Sacred Fire Playing Cards

Sacred Fire Playing Cards is Pedro Oyarbide's second deck produced by Riffle Shuffle currently funding on Kickstarter. The deck is inspired by the power of fire, reminding us that the path to our annihilation will be born from our greatest innovations. 

The fully custom deck features Perdo's incredible artwork througout. From the striking tuck case, intricate card backs, to the menacing royals, suits and jokers. 

The back design is infused with some clever details. Two symmetrical "phoenix" figures are prominently featured in the center of the flames. Also, between the Greek pillars, the enormous flame with intricate detail, fiery eagle heads, angels and skulls. 

The suit symbols has the motive of flames within, and the numbers in the corners appear in a classic, yet slightly stylized version.



The courts are increibly illustrated and hold weapons. However, some royals possess other items, such as a small hut and a feather, possibly a pen. These are human's greatest creations: weapons to hunt, houses for shelter, feather pens to write. All used by monarchs to control the masses. 

The eye-catching Ace of Spades feature the recurring skull with wings lies dead centre of the flaming spade with surrounding symbols and motifs, creating beautiful symmetry within the spade. The jokers donned their typical outfits playfully hold wooden sticks with their ends ignited with fire. They stand dramatically upon the entrance to their stage like true entertainers.



Two colorway's are on offer during the campaign- Emerald Flare and Sapphire Blaze. Each tuck case comes with a unique die-cut window and a special fire foil stamp cards.



The Foiled Stamp Card is made with 3 different colours of hot foil on both sides to mimic the bright flames from the Sacred Fire. The tuck case is adorned with Green and Blue foil on both exterior and interior! 

Printed by Taiwan Playing Card Company with their Luxury Paper Stock. Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.

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Victory Playing Cards by Joker and the Thief

Joker and the Thief’s Victory playing cards are crafted for those who seek Victory, in any endeavor. For founder James Millaras, the deck is an homage to his family. 

According to the product page, 

The name Victory is a direct tribute to the efforts of James’ grandparents, who were Greek immigrants and owned and operated a fish and chips shop in Far North Queensland, Australia in the 80s through to the late 90s. The name of the shop was Victory and became an institution in the small port town of Cairns – known for quality food and customer service. Victory playing cards pays tribute in name to their immigrant spirit of hard work, of which we as a family are grateful to be inspired by and benefit from.

The stunning deck comes with a stunning embossed tuck box with letterpress inks and foil both interior and exterior. The borderless card back comes with a repeated JT logo design with metallic inks.

The face cards are pretty much standard with the unmistakable art style of Pedro Oyarbide. The court cards are modeled in classics to create a distressed vibe associated with the brand.

Limited to 1,000 decks and are available now from jokerandthethief.com for $20.

Psychonauts Playing Cards Hits Kickstarter Funding Goal in 36 Minutes

Another fascinating deck from Joker and the Thief. Funded in just 36 minutes on Kickstarter, Psychonauts playing cards are a nostalgic tribute to 1960's psychedelia and new age spiritualism. A time when Eastern gurus, yoga, and meditation first seeped into mainstream Western consciousness.

What is a psychonaut? From the Greek words "Psyche", meaning soul, and "Nautes", meaning sailor. A psychonaut is a person who seeks to explore the subconscious mind via altered states of consciousness. A psychonaut explores reality beyond the perception of the regular five senses and documents the experience to integrate their spiritual experiences and lessons into everyday life. 

Like their previous releases, this deck has all the features you could possibly want in a deck of playing cards. Designed in Spain and hand-illustrated from scratch by Pedro Oyarbide, the artwork is detailed, full of expression and meaning, that no words are required.

The face cards come with metallic ink and the color combination makes this deck truly unique and stands out among the crowd of playing cards currently funding on Kickstarter.

The deck is packaged in an eye-catching tuck box adorned with stunning foil, embossed, and screen-print on both exterior and interior. The tuck is capped with a convenient and perforated custom-shaped security seal.

Printed by the USPCC on crushed paper stock and finish. Available NOW on Kickstarter for $16.

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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.

Deck View: Dystopia Playing Cards

Stunning. Tribute. Dystopian.

Dystopia Playing Cards by Joker and the Thief is a disturbed tribute to cult movie Mad Max, Muscle Car Culture, the Australian Film Industry, and the Outback.
This blood and fuel injected deck features 100% custom illustrations by Pedro Oyarbide - a symbolic back design, a striking ace of spades, tyrannical court cards, insane jokers, and of course, a stunning tuck box from professional letterpress studio Clove St. Press, capped with a custom shaped seal. Dystopia Playing Cards was one of our top 12 of decks 2017.

Available now from jtplayingcards.com. For other cool decks, check out JP Games.

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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.

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.

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!

Card Flash: Dystopia Playing Cards

Currently being fulfilled by our friends at Art of Play, Dystopia Playing Cards by Joker and the Thief is a disturbed tribute to cult movie Mad Max, Muscle Car Culture, the Australian Film Industry and Outback.

This blood and fuel injected deck features 100% custom illustrations by Pedro Oyarbide - a symbolic back design, a striking ace of spades, tyrannical court cards, insane jokers, and of course, a stunning tuck box from professional letterpress studio Clove St. Press, capped with a custom shaped seal. There's so much to like about this deck!

This is definitely one of our favorite deck this year and the team at Joker and the Thief have certainly outdone themselves to ensure this is their best release to-date!

Highly recommended and with Halloween a few months a way, Dystopia is bound to be a stand out in your collection! Available now from jtplayingcards.com.

Happy Sad Playing Cards Joins Joker and the Thief's Line of Cardistry Decks

Following the Five Thirty-Sevens, the Happy Sad playing cards joins Joker and the Thief's line of Cardistry decks!

 
Contemporary and fun, 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 contemporary 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 StatesPlaying Card Company. Available NOW from jokerandthethief.com fo $13.

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