Luxury playing cards are ideal for those wanting to impress their friends with mind-boggling magic tricks or simply make their poker game that little bit more unique. To help you choose the ideal luxury playing cards for you, we have selected the best playing card brands on the market today as well as a product to feature from each. We hope this gives you a better feel for the different types of luxury playing cards available to you and what different brands have to offer.
Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Design
Material/ Ink
Card Size
Best For
Extras
Our Top Choice
Dan and Dave Ultimate Playing Cards
Dan and Dave is an American brand that offers its customers high-end, artistic products suitable for a range of professions and hobbies, including magic and poker.
54 cards. Stunning, hand-drawn designs. Printed on premium card stock by the USPCC.
The product’s dramatic style may not be to everyone’s tastes.
Vintage, black mirrored design
Premium card stock
Standard size
Collecting
Vintage-inspired tax stamp
Best Value
Ellusionist Killer Bees Playing Cards
Ellusionist is an American brand, founded in 2001 by Brad Christian. It’s one of the largest online training programs for high-impact magic, boasting an impressive 60,000 members.
Stunning yellow honeycomb design exclusive to Ellusionist. Portion of profit goes to IUCN for honeybees.
Some customers found a few of the cards hard to differentiate between.
Honeycomb and killer bees
Thick card
Standard size
Sleight of hand, magic
Portion of profit for honeybees
Theory 11 Monarch Playing Cards
Founded in 2007, Theory 11 is a magic brand that focuses on creating high-quality, stylish products that can be used for a variety of occasions.
Featured in the blockbuster film ‘Now You See Me’. Created using sustainable materials. Classic with an edge.
Some customers found the set to be too slippery.
Gold foil and navy blue design
Vegetable ink and sustainable card
4 x 2 x 3 inches
Playing, collecting, magic
Vegetable-based inks
Expert Chameleons Playing Cards
New York-based brand Expert Playing Card Company creates products using a variety of artists and industry professionals to ensure great quality and truly unique designs.
Designed by world-famous magician Asi Wind. One of brand’s original designs. Elegant and unique.
Some customers found the product’s design to be too simple.
Green and white chameleon design
Expert’s classic card stock
Standard size
Collecting, magic
Features iridescent foil
Bicycle Stargazer Card Deck
American brand Bicycle has been creating high-quality, intricately-designed playing cards for over 130 years, with some of its products even used in the Oval Office!
Hand-illustrated designs. Chrome foil and a custom seal. Air-cushioned finish for ease of use.
Some customers found the cards to be slightly flimsy.
Whether you’re a fan of poker, magic, or have a flair for the arts, luxury playing cards have many uses and come in a huge range of styles and designs. Unlike standard playing cards, luxury playing cards are developed by artists and magic professionals who want to add something a little extra to their decks of cards. Many individuals don’t even use the cards, but instead collect them to put on display. With so many beautiful designs available, we really aren’t surprised!
Before you rush off and purchase just any old set, however, there are a few things you may want to consider beforehand. The set you choose will usually come down to your own personal tastes and styles, but it may be a good idea to have a little think about the exact style you’re after before you start your search. This will make the process much easier.
If you’re looking for a card set to use on your poker table or card shuffler, then you may want to opt for cards with a more simplistic design so you can still differentiate between the suits. Many people prefer to opt for traditional or vintage designs when selecting playing cards to be used in card games. If, however, you’ll be using the cards for magic or for collection purposes then the choice is entirely up to you! Will you go for a dark, mystical design? Or maybe a set featuring your favorite animals? The options are endless!
Price
The cost of your new luxury playing card set is going to depend on a variety of factors. Most luxury card sets will set you back between $6 and $25, depending on what the set is made from and the set’s design. Products at the higher end of this scale tend to be for collecting purposes and therefore have more intricate and detailed designs. Many magicians and famous artists even design their own sets! If a set is handmade, then you can also expect to pay more for these products. Pricier card sets also tend to be made from high-end materials and original card stock from the manufacturer.
This isn’t to say, however, that products at the lower end of this scale don’t work as well; they may just be more suited for card games than magic tricks or collection. Cheaper luxury playing cards are available ($4 or less), but be aware that these products won’t be as durable or last as long.
Features
The features you look out for in your new luxury playing cards will depend entirely on your own personal preferences as well as what you’ll be using the cards for. There are a few features we recommend looking out for, however, to ensure you select the best product for you.
Here are some important features to look out for:
Printed on premium card stock
Hand-drawn design
Air-cushioned finish
Construction and Design
When looking for high-quality luxury playing cards, material is of the utmost importance. Luxury playing cards are usually made from thick card, with some products also featuring plastic. Many brands print their cards on their own specific card stock too; you may want to keep a look out for these products, as they’re normally of very high quality. You’ll also want the cards to be relatively thick to prevent wear and tear, especially if you’ll be using the cards for magic tricks. Many magicians prefer to use cards that don’t feature plastic, as they can be slippery and prevent tricks from working as smoothly.
You may also want to have a think about the size of the cards you’re after as well as the size of the deck itself. If you’re using the cards for card games or poker, then we recommend selecting a deck that’s of standard size, which is usually clearly advertised on the product. You’ll also probably want a set of cards that features all 54 playing cards. If, however, you’re using the cards for tricks or for collection purposes, then the size of the cards and deck isn’t as important and will depend on your own personal preferences. Many collectors select playing cards that feature added or bonus cards, as it can make the set more valuable.
Finally, if you’re a magician in training you may want to opt for products that have an air-cushioned finish. These types of products are perfect for sleight-of-hand tricks and quick movements that will fool your audience! This feature will also protect your cards and prevent damage.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your new deck of cards, there really isn’t much to it. You (obviously) won’t want to get the cards wet, so it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality card case or select a product that already comes with one. Cards are prone to wear and tear after repeated use, especially if you’re using the products for magic purposes. So, it’s a good idea to handle the cards as carefully as possible to prevent this from happening. Selecting products that have a plastic coating will also prevent the cards from damaging easily. If you’re looking for a particularly fancy product, then we recommend looking for products that are made using sustainable products or vegetable-based inks.
What is the Best Luxury Playing Card?
Fingers crossed, after reading through our handy little buying guide you have now figured out what type of luxury playing cards are most suitable to your needs, as well as the specific design you’re after. This will make it a lot easier when it comes to narrowing down your options and selecting the ideal playing card deck to help you mesmerize your friends! So, let’s get looking at our top 5 picks, shall we?
Our Top Choice
The Dan and Dave Ultimate Playing Cards are ideal for collectors looking for a card set that’s unique and a little bit different. If, however, you’re after a somewhat more traditional set of cards, that are slightly cheaper too, then don’t forget to check out the Dan and Dave Makers Playing Cards instead.
Dan and Dave Ultimate Deck Luxury Playing Cards
Dan and Dave Luxury Playing Cards Ultimate
Features
Dan and Dave is an American brand that prides itself in its unique products and artistic flair. The brand offers a wide variety of products, ranging from playing cards, apparel, magic kits, and card and magic accessories. The brand’s bespoke collections add a touch of fun and fashion to the art of magic, whilst still offering products that are of the highest quality.
We wanted to feature the Dan and Dave Ultimate Playing Cards due to their intricate design and luxury quality. These cards were made in collaboration with Stranger & Stranger, providing 54 cards each with a unique, fashion-forward design. Each individual card has its own piece of hand-drawn artwork with a stunning black mirrored design. The case of the product also offers foil accents and embossing for a superior, high-end look (the pack is even hand-sealed using a vintage tax stamp!). These cards are ideal for poker and are printed on premium card stock by the USPCC.
The Ellusionist Killer Bees Playing Cards are ideal for anyone with a dark side looking to unleash their inner illusionist—and help the honeybees. If you aren’t a fan of bees, however, then don’t forget to check out the Ellusionist Absinthe Playing Cards Set instead for a more bohemian feel!
Ellusionist Killer Bees Playing Cards Deck
Ellusionist Luxury Playing Cards Killer Bee
Features
Founded in 2001 by Brad Christian, Ellusionist is an online training environment for those looking to learn more about the intriguing world of high-impact magic. Today, Ellusionist boasts over 60,000 members worldwide, offering one of the largest online magic forums on the web. If you want to be a high-end performer, and general mind-bending illusionist, then Ellusionist is the brand for you.
We’re big fans of the Ellusionist Killer Bees Playing Cards due to their attractive design and because the cards are ideal for sleight-of-hand tricks. These high-quality playing cards have a simple yet stunning yellow honeycomb design, placed upon a jet-black background. Designed exclusively by Ellusionist, these cards are inspired by the superhero story of Brazil’s killer bees, giving the whole pack a dark feel.
The Theory 11 Monarch Playing Cards are ideal for those looking for a classic card design with a modern edge. If, however, you’re after a card set offering something a little bit different, don’t forget to check out the Theory 11 Artisan Playing Cards instead!
Theory 11 Monarch Playing Cards (Blue)
Theory 11 Luxury Playing Cards MONARCH
Features
Founded in 2007, Theory 11 is a magic brand that has a passion for inspiring wonder and creativity in its customers. There are over 11 artists within the brand that focus on creating high-quality, stylish products that will keep you coming back for more. Today, Theory 11 is one of the largest communities of magic creators in the world, with over 1,500 registered artists and members. It’s the largest producer of luxury playing cards in America and has designed over 78 different playing card styles.
We love the Theory 11 Monarch Playing Cards due to their sustainable design and the fact that they were featured in the blockbuster movie ‘Now You See Me’ too! These luxury playing cards are created using FSC-certified paper derived from sustainable forests using vegetable-based inks. The set was also featured in GQ’s Holiday Gift Guide due to the product’s elegant gold foil and navy-blue design. All the artwork used in this card set is custom, including custom aces, jokers, and ad cards. If you’re looking to add a touch of regality to your poker games or magic tricks, then look no further than Monarch.
The Chameleon Playing Cards by Expert Playing Card Company are ideal for anyone looking to add a touch of elegance to their collection or magic tricks. If, however, you’re after a card deck with a cleaner look, then don’t forget to check out the Expert Playing Card Company Liars & Thieves Card Set instead.
Expert Playing Cards Chameleons Luxury Green Metallic Playing Cards by Asi Wind
Expert Playing Cards Luxury Playing Cards – Asi Wind
Features
New York brand Expert Playing Card Company creates high-quality playing cards designed by a variety of artists and publishers. All profits raised by the EPCC flow directly through to the Conjuring Arts, a non-profit organization, to help the brand preserve both historical and cultural materials, and help spread the wonders of magic around the world! With dozens of products to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a card set that fits your personality perfectly.
We wanted to feature the Expert Playing Cards Chameleon Playing Cards because they were designed by world-renowned magician Asi Wind, and the cards’ great reviews on Amazon, too! This card set was one of the first releases by the brand and features designs from famous magic professionals. Made from Expert’s classic stock, this card set is specifically designed to help users improve performance and their magic skills.
Bicycle’s Stargazer Card Deck is ideal for anyone looking for a set of cards that are truly out of this world! Its astral designs are even hand-drawn! If, however, you’re after a set with a more traditional design, then don’t forget to check out the Bicycle Standard Index Playing Cards instead!
Bicycle Stargazer Deck Poker Size Standard Index Playing Cards
Bicycle Luxury Playing Cards 1034630
Features
Bicycle is an American-based brand that’s been creating the world’s best playing cards for over 130 years. Bicycle is passionate about bringing people together through games, fun, and great company. Its cards have been used by top professionals across the globe as well as presidents in the Oval Office! If you’re after products that are of the highest quality, then a Bicycle card deck might be just what you’re after!
We wanted to feature the Bicycle Stargazer Card Deck due to the product’s intricately-designed, hand-illustrated cards. This standard-sized poker set deck is hand-forged using chrome foil and a custom seal. The set also features a classic air-cushioned finish for easy shuffling and optimum performance. Printed on Bicycle brand cardstock, this beautiful set uses a variety of colors and designs to make you feel like you’re in another galaxy!
Hopefully, by now you’ve stumbled across your ideal luxury playing card deck and are now busy practicing your poker or magic skills! If, however, this isn’t the case then don’t you worry! We have purposefully selected brands that have lots of different products to offer; simply browse through their other collections to find the best luxury playing cards for you!
