How do you choose a deck with so many options

[Lucy]

Hello All 😁👋

I was wondering how on earth you choose which pack of cards to buy. 
there are so many out there to choose from all beautifully designed too. 
I am guessing a lot of it is to do with personal taste etc but for a beginner who is just learning about the basics of the cards decks & history this has got me stumped 🤔 

any tips would be greatly appreciated thanks 🙏 

[Raggydoll]

I wouldn’t overthink it. Go with what appeals to you visually! 🙂

[Lucy]

22 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

I wouldn’t overthink it. Go with what appeals to you visually! 🙂

My mind was overwhelmed by time I had looked up and read as much as i could 😂 tad over eager i am now thinking

Yes 🙌 you’re right just pick what appeals most . Thank you 

[Misterei]

8 hours ago, Lucy said:

Hello All 😁👋

I was wondering how on earth you choose which pack of cards to buy. 
there are so many out there to choose from all beautifully designed too. 
I am guessing a lot of it is to do with personal taste etc but for a beginner who is just learning about the basics of the cards decks & history this has got me stumped 🤔 

any tips would be greatly appreciated thanks 🙏 

Hi Lucy.

If you like to learn the most common system Rider Waite Smith:

For beginners I recommend a fairly standard deck. For example RWS centennial edition. Full size if you want to study details or the smaller tin if you want a deck that's easy to travel with or have small hands.

 

If you're learning historic Marseille / Tarocchi style, then a simple basic Marseille deck or a Tarocchi deck like Valenza's Eduord Dotti or Lo Scarabeo Piacentini deck. Vachetta is also good and I think Lo Scarabeo has a reasonably priced version.

 

IMO it's good to start with basics and then branch out once you know more about yourself as a reader.

 

[edited out personal blog link]

[Lucy]

3 minutes ago, Misterei said:

Hi Lucy.

If you like to learn the most common system Rider Waite Smith:

For beginners I recommend a fairly standard deck. For example RWS centennial edition. Full size if you want to study details or the smaller tin if you want a deck that's easy to travel with or have small hands.

 

If you're learning historic Marseille / Tarocchi style, then a simple basic Marseille deck or a Tarocchi deck like Valenza's Eduord Dotti or Lo Scarabeo Piacentini deck. Vachetta is also good and I think Lo Scarabeo has a reasonably priced version.

 

IMO it's good to start with basics and then branch out once you know more about yourself as a reader.

Amazing thank you, there really is so much to learn it’s all so fascinating. 
I do appreciate a starter pointer with the deck size too I wasn’t sure but it’s definitely making more sense now. I appreciate your help. Thank you 🙏 

[Misterei]

Just now, Lucy said:

Amazing thank you, there really is so much to learn it’s all so fascinating. 
I do appreciate a starter pointer with the deck size too I wasn’t sure but it’s definitely making more sense now. I appreciate your help. Thank you 🙏 

I just edited that original post with a link to a blog [short read] on the topic.

[Lucy]

Thank you very much !
The sooner I can choose the sooner I can order them and get down to it  beginners style 😂

[joy]

Hey @Misterei we removed the link to your own site, as you are promoting your site and services. We only allow this in certain areas.

 

Please see our rules - Rule 7 - https://www.thetarotforum.com/rules/

Thank you.

 

 

[DanielJUK]

I think there is 3 options for beginners -

 

- go for a deck for beginners. There is a great list on our old forum here

- go for RWS (as suggested before by @Misterei ). This is a classic deck and the advantage of it is that you can find so many great learning resources for it and help. Some people don't get on with it or like it but personally I think everyone should own at least one

- go for what you love! If you love fluffy bunnies, go for a deck with them on. or if you like colourful art, look for decks with that. I think you can find decks that match your loves and interests and then they match you better.

If you need, you can post in this decks section with something like, "what are the best decks with cats on?" for example. You will get community input of their faves 🙂 

[RunningWild]

Make sure to look up some of the images of the decks you’re interested in purchasing, too.  That way you have some idea of what you’re getting in terms or color and style.

[Raggydoll]

I think that, if you were to ask about how all of us navigated buying our own first decks, I think very few of us made thorough decisions about what we’d like to study or what we’d want to learn first. Most long time readers that I know simply just bought a deck they liked or something they could easily get hold of. And it still worked out great. So don’t feel a pressure to ‘get it right’. I spent the first 15 years of my tarot practice using mainly one deck that wasn’t an RWS and it wasn’t even a deck I particularly liked. But back then it was hard for me to get hold of decks so I made do. In no way did this hinder my growth. I was still introduced to the RWS in every tarot book that I read, so I learned about the symbolism and the images even before I owned a copy. So you’ll be fine which ever way you decide to go. Have fun with it, that’s my best advice! 

[Chariot]

I agree with @Misterei's advice about keeping it simple at first.

I also totally agree with her recommendation of the Smith-Waite Tarot Deck-Centennial Edition (in a tin.)  This edition is well protected by the tin and easy to transport, the cards are beautifully made, the colours aren't garish but distinctive, the size is excellent ...big enough to see the images clearly and small enough to be easily handled.  It's easy to riffle-shuffle this deck, if that's the way you like to shuffle cards.  The backs of the cards are simple, true to the original (I think) and distinctive.  I love this deck.  I can't speak to the others she mentions because I only do RWS readings, but I suspect her advice to go 'simple' is probably correct for any system, if you are a beginner.

Of course you might fall in love with other decks. You can certainly do this watching YouTube 'flip through' videos, or reading our own list of card decks and reviews in the Deck Library section of our forum menu.  By all means, explore what you enjoy.  Maybe treat yourself to a couple of decks beyond the original simple ones, and see how you get on.

 

Some decks are easier to read with than others.  I find myself gravitating towards modern decks where the cards are easy to distinguish from one another.  Too many artistic details and the cards can be difficult to use, no matter how interesting each card looks.

Ciro Marchetti's Tarot Grand Luxe does an excellent job of blending distinctive images with artistic interest for the Rider-Waite-Smith system, and is affordable, easy to obtain, well-presented in its sturdy box, and easy to read with.  

When I first began reading tarot back in the 1970s, our choices were very limited, and of course there was no online shopping.  So we had to get our cards from a real bookstore or 'head shop'—which was not easy for those of us who didn't live in or near a big city.  I'm amazed at the plethora of tarot decks that are available online now.  Dive in and enjoy the variety!  But do try not to be overcome by all that choice.  Keep the 7 of Cups in mind!

 

[Eugenie]

Hi, I am also a novice. I bought several decks because they were beautiful and I was romantically attracted, but ultimately I use the Centennial RWS in a tin most all the time, because I learn from books on RWS and it is logical to have a classic deck for that. It is also a beautiful deck and easy to carry around. So I actually sold some of the decks I bought, because at the time of ordering them I wasn't aware of some aspects. I will keep the RWS forever, it seems, and maybe a couple of other decks, but I became much more moderate in my deck desires. I am more interested in learning the skill, and a classic simple deck is the best tool, I think. If I decide to start TdM, I will start with some basic deck, too. 

[Bodhiseed]

As @RunningWild said, look online to see as many of the cards as you can. Then if you're still interested, see how you personally would read each card. If you feel stumped, you might look at some other decks.  For me, some decks just flow, and some don't.

Edited September 19, 2024 by Bodhiseed

[Lucy]

On 9/18/2024 at 5:53 AM, Raggydoll said:

I think that, if you were to ask about how all of us navigated buying our own first decks, I think very few of us made thorough decisions about what we’d like to study or what we’d want to learn first. Most long time readers that I know simply just bought a deck they liked or something they could easily get hold of. And it still worked out great. So don’t feel a pressure to ‘get it right’. I spent the first 15 years of my tarot practice using mainly one deck that wasn’t an RWS and it wasn’t even a deck I particularly liked. But back then it was hard for me to get hold of decks so I made do. In no way did this hinder my growth. I was still introduced to the RWS in every tarot book that I read, so I learned about the symbolism and the images even before I owned a copy. So you’ll be fine which ever way you decide to go. Have fun with it, that’s my best advice! 

Thank you that’s really interesting. 

[Lucy]

On 9/17/2024 at 12:33 AM, DanielJUK said:

I think there is 3 options for beginners -

 

- go for a deck for beginners. There is a great list on our old forum here

- go for RWS (as suggested before by @Misterei ). This is a classic deck and the advantage of it is that you can find so many great learning resources for it and help. Some people don't get on with it or like it but personally I think everyone should own at least one

- go for what you love! If you love fluffy bunnies, go for a deck with them on. or if you like colourful art, look for decks with that. I think you can find decks that match your loves and interests and then they match you better.

If you need, you can post in this decks section with something like, "what are the best decks with cats on?" for example. You will get community input of their faves 🙂 

Thank you again it’s very helpful and helped clear my mind of the silly confusion/ overload 

[Lucy]

On 9/18/2024 at 7:37 AM, Chariot said:

I agree with @Misterei's advice about keeping it simple at first.

I also totally agree with her recommendation of the Smith-Waite Tarot Deck-Centennial Edition (in a tin.)  This edition is well protected by the tin and easy to transport, the cards are beautifully made, the colours aren't garish but distinctive, the size is excellent ...big enough to see the images clearly and small enough to be easily handled.  It's easy to riffle-shuffle this deck, if that's the way you like to shuffle cards.  The backs of the cards are simple, true to the original (I think) and distinctive.  I love this deck.  I can't speak to the others she mentions because I only do RWS readings, but I suspect her advice to go 'simple' is probably correct for any system, if you are a beginner.

Of course you might fall in love with other decks. You can certainly do this watching YouTube 'flip through' videos, or reading our own list of card decks and reviews in the Deck Library section of our forum menu.  By all means, explore what you enjoy.  Maybe treat yourself to a couple of decks beyond the original simple ones, and see how you get on.

 

Some decks are easier to read with than others.  I find myself gravitating towards modern decks where the cards are easy to distinguish from one another.  Too many artistic details and the cards can be difficult to use, no matter how interesting each card looks.

Ciro Marchetti's Tarot Grand Luxe does an excellent job of blending distinctive images with artistic interest for the Rider-Waite-Smith system, and is affordable, easy to obtain, well-presented in its sturdy box, and easy to read with.  

When I first began reading tarot back in the 1970s, our choices were very limited, and of course there was no online shopping.  So we had to get our cards from a real bookstore or 'head shop'—which was not easy for those of us who didn't live in or near a big city.  I'm amazed at the plethora of tarot decks that are available online now.  Dive in and enjoy the variety!  But do try not to be overcome by all that choice.  Keep the 7 of Cups in mind!

 

How beautiful I really enjoyed reading your reply. The amount of choice can be a whirlwind at times perhaps not always the best too many options. 
I felt very nostalgic when you told me your story of when and how you began to read tarot cards and how you bought your first ones. Thank you 

[Teemu]

It is a matter of discipline and taste. I consider myself lucky - I find 95% of all decks visually unattractive. In the rest of decks, I need something that speaks to me on a very deep or unexpected plane.

I still have too many decks (almost 50), I consider myself not as collector.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

2 hours ago, Teemu said:

I find 95% of all decks visually unattractive.

Same here... at least 95%, fortunately, as there is such a plethora of decks available it seems on an ongoing basis.  I am now copping to the fact that I am a 'collector'.  I think that I was in denial about it for a long time.  I've heard that if you have to wonder if you are addicted to something then it means that you probably are.  It's a joyful habit -- one that gives me constant pleasure and stimulation.

 

[Ferrea]

On 9/18/2024 at 3:01 AM, RunningWild said:

Make sure to look up some of the images of the decks you’re interested in purchasing, too.  That way you have some idea of what you’re getting in terms or color and style.

 

I want to add to this advice the option to watch flip-throughs on Youtube. There you can preview the entire deck of your interest.

[FindYourSovereignty]

3 hours ago, Ferrea said:

 

I want to add to this advice the option to watch flip-throughs on Youtube. There you can preview the entire deck of your interest.

To add to this suggestion, it has been recommended to me and I concur, to not listen to the audio or to find a silent walk through first so one doesn’t get drawn into being influenced by the presenter’s opinion. If after seeing all the cards interest is now certain, then listen to the audio for the additional details that may be important such as card quality, size, shuffle-ability, etc. 

[Scandinavianhermit]

On 9/16/2024 at 5:11 PM, Lucy said:

I am guessing a lot of it is to do with personal taste etc

 

Yes, it is, but if you wish to avoid spending too much on decks you later will not use, these advices are worth pondering:

 

1. Is the numbering of Justice (VIII. traditionally, but XI. in RWS-derived tarots) and Strength (IX. traditionally, but VIII. in RWS-derived tarots) an important factor? Whichever you prefer, avoid decks with the opposite structure.
2. Trumps No. II. and V. switch titles according to deck. If you expect a "High priestess" and a "Hierophant", chose a RWS-derived tarot. If you expect a traditional Popess and a traditional Pope, buy a Milenese-derived deck, such as the many Marseilles-versions, Classic Tarot or Ancient Italian. If you expect "Juno" and "Jupiter", buy a Beçanson-derived deck, such as 1JJ Swiss.
3. Do you prefer either the Milanese numbering of trumps or the RWS numbering of trumps? If so, the third option, i.e. Etteilla's creative, but quite wild, renumbering and renaming of trumps in the 1780s will be bewildering.
4. Do you prefer suite cards without scenery? Stay away from RWS decks and their clones. Classic Tarot, Ancient Italian or any Marseilles-version will suit you better.
5. Do you prefer suite cards with scenery? Then chose either an RWS deck, a clone of that, or Dame Fortune's Wheel Tarot.
6. Do you expect your deck to have 78 cards? Be aware, that the Bolognese tarot only has 62 cards and that the Sicilian tarot only has 64 cards. If you wish to go Italian, but insist on 78 cards, either Tarocco Piemontese, Ancient Italian or Classic Tarot is a better choice.

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by Scandinavianhermit

[JoyousGirl]

As a beginner, the best deck Tarot deck to start with would be Rider Waite Smith (in my opinion).  I started with this deck, even though I didn't find it aesthetically appealing.

 

Over time, and especially after acquiring new decks, I really appreciated the Rider Waite Tarot because they are excellent for learning and for reading with.  There is a reason they are so renowned.

 

The scenic images on RW pips cards are good for bringing the meanings to mind. You do not get an understanding of this with cards that just have an image of 3 pentacles or  6 wands. That is confusing for a beginner and tells you nothing about what the card is saying - it means you would learn by rote and it may impact your intuitive development.

 

Later on, if you're stuck on a card when using a different deck, the RWS image or meaning might come to mind to help you.  While this contradicts the learning by rote statement I made above, it's what we all do when we're learning - one statement or word for the meaning of the card that gives you the gist. For example, my personal description for the Page of Pentacles is "applied effort".  ETA this would be applicable for this 'member' across decks.  

 

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by JoyousGirl

[Scandinavianhermit]

I regret buying a Rider-Waite deck and an 1JJ Swiss deck as a beginner, because they gave me a false start, and set me off in the wrong directions. It took me some time to recover from these decks. I appreciate both from the standpoint of art history, and in that regard they are both very nice, indeed, but for me they became obstacles from learning how to read tarot. We are all individuals. 

[Scandinavianhermit]

The probability of an encounter with 18th century tarot decks from what's now Belgium is probably not high outside that country, but there exist reproductions of that style. If the idea of replacing the Popess and the Pope with a Spanish captain and the god of wine, Bacchus, sounds endearing, exciting or amusing, those reproductions are good choices, but for everyone else, they are probably not good beginner decks. I should have included Flemish tarot decks under Number 2 above. The Popess and Pope, in particular, have been the most frequent targets of replacement of one or another sort. That said, the Bolognese tarot replaces both Popess, Empress, Emperor and Pope with four "Moors".