Deck View: Grid Series Four Playing Cards

Bold. Typographic. Futuristic.

Grid Series Four playing cards was launched in 2022 and continues the typographic approach of designer Luke Wadey, building on the success of the earlier Grid decks with a striking neon green visual identity. 

Rather than relying on traditional pips, the cards communicate their values through graphic text, numbers, and layered visual cues. Each card contains multiple pieces of information... up to seventeen elements! Allowing the value to be interpreted in several different ways. 

The faces feature full-bleed black and red designs, while the backs use a minimal white-and-green graphic pattern that creates a strong visual effect in fans and spreads. Distinctive Jokers and ad cards bring the deck to 56 cards in total. The redesigned tuck box introduces a unified style intended to carry forward across future Grid releases.

Printed by Cartamundi on Slimline stock with B9 True Linen finish, and available now on Luke Wadey's store for $20.

General Admission Playing Cards

General Admission Playing Cards draw inspiration from designer Jackson Robinson’s fascination with vintage ticket stubs from the early twentieth century. The OG General Admission deck was first released in 2020 as part of Kings Wild Shorts.

This new edition continues to capture the nostalgic charm of old theatre and event tickets, transforming their typography, layout, and graphic details into a fully realized playing card design. Inside the deck, the artwork leans heavily into this retro aesthetic. Rich textures, vibrant patterns, and bold graphic elements combine to evoke the feeling of printed ephemera from a bygone era. Each card carries subtle details that echo the layered look of vintage print materials, giving the deck a tactile sense of history and character.

The back design continues this approach with a complex composition that blends ornamental structure with visual motifs reminiscent of Kings Wild Project’s well-known currency-style decks, while prominently incorporating the brand’s iconic logo. 

The court cards introduce something new for Robinson’s work, featuring mirrored, full-body characters that expand the traditional portrait format into a more dynamic presentation.

The deck is housed in a semi-gloss tuck case designed to resemble a classic ticket stub. Elements such as the gate number, section, row, and seat are carefully integrated into the layout, and for attentive fans of Robinson’s design language, these details also hide a subtle Easter egg tied to his broader creative themes.

Printed by KWPCC and available now $18 on Kings Wild Project.

Franklin BBQ Retro Black Playing Cards

Franklin BBQ Retro Black Playing Cards celebrate one of America’s most iconic barbecue institutions through a deck that blends classic casino styling with unmistakable Texas character. The project began in 2013, when Brad Fulton spent four hours in the legendary Franklin Barbecue line in Austin and was struck not only by the food, but by the brand’s bold, timeless visual identity. 

That experience, and a later friendship with founders Aaron and Stacy Franklin, led to the idea of preserving the spirit of Franklin BBQ in playing card form.

The deck’s back design draws inspiration from vintage casino cards, reimagined in a sleek retro black palette. A period-accurate long-flap tuck box, echoing packaging styles from the 1970s... adds to the nostalgic feel, complete with an embossed finish that enhances its tactile appeal. Inside are fully custom cards, including court cards that pay tribute to the people who helped redefine Austin barbecue culture.

Designed by Brad Fulton, the deck features illustrations by Dave Lamplugh, the original artist behind Franklin’s beloved sauce bottle cartoons, while the instantly recognizable logo by Blair Richardson anchors the design with enduring authenticity. 

Printed in China on premium cardistry stock, the Franklin BBQ decks are a thoughtful blend of Americana, brand history, and classic playing card craftsmanship. Available for $21 on Fulton's Playing Cards.

Room One x Bicycle Rookie Playing Cards

Room One x Bicycle Rookie Playing Cards marks the first official collaboration between Room One Cards and the Bicycle brand. This deck is born from a journey that began with Room One’s debut release, Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb, which earned the 2023 Deck of the Year “Rookie of the Year” award.

As part of that honor, Room One received a printing credit from the United States Playing Card Company, which they used to create Rookie, a deck that symbolizes the very beginning of their story. 

Designed with Bicycle’s classic card layouts and infused with Room One’s design, the deck seamlessly blends tradition and creativity. Every card features subtle easter eggs referencing past Room One releases, inviting players and collectors to discover hidden details with every shuffle.

Printed by USPCC on premium cardstock with Bicycle’s renowned Air-Cushion finish, the deck offers a smooth, flexible texture that performs beautifully in play, cardistry, and handling. Available now on Room One for $16.