JAQK Red Edition Playing Cards

The JAQK Signature Deck combines the distinctive JAQK design with the peerless quality of one of the world's most respected playing card manufacturers—the same one that makes the cards used in casinos and poker tournaments around the world - The United States Playing Card Company.

JAQK Cellars Red Edition features a gorgeous custom tuck case with metallic foils and imported French paper. All 54 cards are original art. Both jokers, which are different colors, and all the card faces including court cards are unique to this deck. These cards are unique and gorgeous. For example, the court cards feature a different grape-related theme for each. The suit pips are printed in a classy two-tone red for the hearts and diamonds and black/charcoal for the spades and clubs. Elegantly designed and easy on the eyes.

The surprising thing about this deck is the handling. It handles really well! Shuffling, dribbles and fans are done with ease. The smoothness adds to the quality finish of this deck which makes this deck really versatile for magic, card flourishing, or even just a game of poker.

This deck is sure to draw compliments every time the cards are dealt.

Pros: 
- Elegantly designed without sacrificing aesthetics
- Unique custom court cards
- Gorgeous eye-catching box
- Versatile deck

Cons: 
- Expensive

Overall: 
- 5/5

[post_ad]

Founders Playing Cards

Founders Playing Cards are an independently created and crafted American deck, honoring twelve of the most inspiring & influential founders of the modern day United States, designed in a neoclassical style reminiscent of architectural, monumental & engraving work from the documents & currency of United States' history.

Currently a Kickstarter project, the The Department of Design has exceeded it's funding goal of $13k and it is not hard to see why. The cards are beautifully designed and a lot of thought has been put into the concept and the development of the deck. For example, the classical world of pre-America used each suit to represent a different social class. The Founders deck is structured on a model using these classical archetypes of Nobility (Spades), Clergy (Hearts), The People (Clubs), and Merchants (Diamonds). Each Founder is seen brandishing their own unique element, representative of their role as a founder and the legacy they have left behind as our inheritance.

There are two unique Jokers, featuring Uncle Sam carrying the Stars & Stripes in flight upon his Eagle, while clutching a banner bearing the latin phrase ‘Annuit Cœptis’ (He favors our undertakings). One card views this scene from a distance, while the other is simply a close up on Uncle Sam’s face and crops the background. These cards come packaged in a red, white & blue embossed box featuring gold foil accents, and a red tax stamp seal.

The Department of Design plan to release further editions such as Red, White & Blue Inaugural Editions, a Greenback Edition (with Engraved Face Cards & Green Backs), and an Executive Edition (a Blue & Gold luxury set).

The first deck is due out to the backers on July 2013.

Limited Red LTD Deck

A dignified and minimalist design imbues the LTD Playing cards with a dignified quality. The card box is printed a deep crimson red outside and inside of the case to permeate the entire deck with high design. Designed with help from card pro and magician, Daniel Madison, the card backs reflective of the timeless diamond pattern design that give the LTD its signature appeal.

The box is simple and has a modern, minimalist design. So, rather than being cluttered like a Standard bicycle deck box, it looks more elegant and it feels more durable.

For the card design, the jokers are very, very unique and they compliment the deck well. The joker depict looking like marionette dolls because of the hand above the lower case j with stings coming off it. At the bottom it says "joker". The pips on the deck have been made smaller and the black pips have become silver and all of the red pips are the deep crimson red. The court cards are standard pictures with the deck theme color: deep crimson red, black and silver. It is a bordered deck so it is good for magicians that do card reversing tricks.

This deck has a soft but springy stock. It is perfect for springing, fanning and spreading because it does not clump and the same goes for riffle shuffles and dribbles. So, that's a tick for flourishing. Interestingly, the deck feels like it has a premium finish to it and suits the performing magician well.

Only 5000 Red LTD decks crafted.

Pros: 
- Beautiful minimalist design
- Elegant and durable box design
- Premium finish for the working magician

Cons: 
- Back design could be better

Overall: 
- 5/5

Steampunk Playing Cards

These cards are just AMAZING! They handle great, and they look even better. A joint creative collaboration between the United States Playing Card Company and theory11 and designed in Romania by Alex Beltechi. According to theory11's marketing material, the paper used on the tuck cases did not exist. Bronze paper was made from scratch in order to perfectly print the ink that covers its surface in 19th century Victorian machinery. The boldly stamped, debossed elements cast shadows of illusion and create a perspective of depth and weight.

Opening the box, you will discover 52 pieces of machinery. The depth of the playing cards is fittingly unreal. So unreal, it beckons you to stare at it's seemingly infinite array of detail. Designed by Alex Beltechi and constructed of 12 million 3D polygons. The back design consists of ascetically pleasing gears and motors. The Jokers are morphed into jet turbines of steel. The Ace of Spades is a window of opportunity to witness the gears of intricate beauty and complexity. However, the court cards are standard and recoloured just to suit the theme of the deck.

Handling feels like a dream! It's heavy stock and smoothness makes shuffling, dribbling and fans easy. Making it well suited for card flourishing. With the unique design, if done right, will sure to attract attention while flourishing.

Pros: 
- Amazing detailed design
- Very good handling
- Beautiful bronze box

Cons: 
- Standard court cards
- Cards should have metallic ink to match the box

Overall: 
- 4.5/5