The Joker and the Thief Deck [KS]

[Rob Wright]

Full story at

  Exclusive First Look: The Joker and the Thief Deck

Ivan Choe:
Recently on Instagram, an unknown deck design has been appearing on their feeds. Details regarding the identity or name of this deck have been sparse. Until now...

 On March 1st, James Milaras and Reuben Nutt of Joker and the Thief will announce a project that has been in the making for 6 months.

[Fess]

This looks like a lot of fun. What a great take on the card back. Also finding the AoS interesting. I have a feeling these will be headed for my collection.

[Collector]

And where is all that "one way back, one way back"? )

[Card Player]

Not sure about the back design but the AoS is very nicely done. One of the best AoS I've seen.

[sprouts1115]

I think "1-way" backs are fine. I like breaking the rules, but they have to be subtle.  If the one wayness is more to the center, it is easier to conceal.  This one edges out to the corners.  I would suggest changing it.  I guess as a rule a  "1-way" back should not expose itself when you are holding lets say 5 cards.  In this case, you would probably see it with the Joker and King if your opponent is right handed. 

[Don Boyer]

Considering that these guys are way into cardistry, I don't think the minor one-way section in the center of the back is going to make a huge difference.  It's not a deck for poker players or magicians - but aren't there thousands of such decks already?  I think the artwork is very promising - I'm just waiting to see more of it.

[Fess]

...I don't think the minor one-way section in the center of the back is going to make a huge difference.

Don, I think you're probably on your iPhone again. That's a pretty major one way back. You'll see when you land on something with a larger screen but there's actually a Jester on one side and a King on the other as well as different hands on either side. It won't impact me personally, for some it may be a breaker unfortunately. I think this is going to be a very sharp deck worth the purchase even if it is a solitaire deck for me. Odds are, my OCD will demand more than one haha.

[Don Boyer]

...I don't think the minor one-way section in the center of the back is going to make a huge difference.

Don, I think you're probably on your iPhone again. That's a pretty major one way back.

I could tell better if people would stop including images as links - I can blow them up larger if they're uploaded to the site!

It's also better to upload because when someone moved the image, the link is broken and the forum loses the image, probably never to be replaced.  We had some really good topics about design and stuff that have been rendered nearly useless because of missing images.

But yeah, there's more to that one-way - but it doesn't look as one-way at a distance!  And everything else I said still applies.

[Joker and the Thief]

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted here. I'm so glad our creation is generating discussion! Especially the back design.
As Don pointed out, we are cardists. Typically we are against one way backs, but we've broken our own rule with this. We've aimed to make this a point of difference and also to ensure that it isn't a visual annoyance when we are flourishing, so the back we've found is somewhat reversible.

We're announcing all the details about this project on the First of March. In saying this, this is a completely custom deck of playing cards. So you can expect custom court cards, jokers, face cards, pips, all packaged within a tricked out box.

We'll be posting more photos very soon. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[Joker and the Thief]

Here's a little something for you.

[Fess]

I'm really enjoying the look. That court has a nice playable flavor and the off color is nice. I think I could use it for a "friendly" game with some pals or a charity game where no one really wins, it's the charity that does. Good stuff.

[Joker and the Thief]

Hi guys!

Today, we announce a project that we have been busy working on for the last 6 months.
On MARCH 20 we go live on Kickstarter!

We are proud to announce Joker and the Thief Playing Cards - Our debut deck of playing cards.

We present to you, a new, unique deck of cards that has deliberately strayed from the simplistic design trend. With companies such as Dan and Dave & Theory11 as our inspiration, we wanted to bring something new to the table.

Our design is completely illustrated from the ground up. The back, the fonts, pips, the queens, jacks, kings, jokers - Everything is completely new. The tuck box is tricked out, with amazing foil coverage, embossing, a printed interior, and a custom seal.

Not only have we tried to apply as many bells and whistles that we deemed suitable, the design also tells a story throughout the entire deck. This will be revealed further when the Kickstarter goes live on MARCH 20.

The design depicts various symbolic images that tie into larger metaphors - metaphors of life, mortality, thievery, lies, deceit, power, struggle, hurt, love. This connotation evokes this great sense of volume and depth.

On top of all this, we aim to print with the superb Expert playing Card Company, utilising their all new, and improved classic stock and finish. The very same stock and finish that was used on the fantastic Classic Gold, and Twins decks. And the same stock and finish that will be adorning, Franky Morales’ brand new Saturn Playing Cards.

All orders will be fulfilled by Art of Play, the amazing card company that takes care of orders from companies like Fontaine Cards. They are the same people who we have been making reviews with for the past year.

We are extremely excited to finally be seeing this project come together. We cannot wait to see these in your hands. We will be posting updates towards the 20th, so when that Kickstarter goes live, make sure to pick up a few.
Cheers,

James
Joker and the Thief


Here are some pics for you!

https://instagram.com/p/zr2_jvmZ7j/?modal=true
https://instagram.com/p/zrU9OpmZ_m/?modal=true

[Don Boyer]

I've been enjoying my Classic Twins since I opened them - very good stock, just the right amount of give and a good finish and coating.  If you're deck will be made in the same manner, I'll have to get a closer look!

[Collector]

In the end of the day can be a very nice deck. I hope all court cards will be different.

[Joker and the Thief]

I've been enjoying my Classic Twins since I opened them - very good stock, just the right amount of give and a good finish and coating.  If you're deck will be made in the same manner, I'll have to get a closer look!

We are fans of it too. Expert Playing Card company has consistently produced quality products, and that's what we aim to produce - the highest quality product.

In the end of the day can be a very nice deck. I hope all court cards will be different.

Good news! Every single court card has been designed from the ground up. They're all different

[Collector]

In the end of the day can be a very nice deck. I hope all court cards will be different.

Good news! Every single court card has been designed from the ground up. They're all different

Nice.

[Joker and the Thief]

UPDATE

Joker and the Thief Playing cards launch on Kickstarter - Friday March 20, 7PM, PST.

Stay tuned. More photos to come!

Thanks a lot guys.

[Joker and the Thief]

Hello all!

I hope you're all doing well. We are launching very soon so i thought I'd post a few more photos here and give you a little insight into our EB Special!

For our Early Birds, 200 Individual decks of cards will be available for $10USD each.

Since we are from Australia, the campaign will be in AUD, just to keep that in mind. For your convenience we've put the converted prices in USD in the pledge options, just so you know what you're paying

Here are some more photos!

https://instagram.com/p/0YegYFGZ7V/?tak ... mesmilaras (COURT CARDS)
https://instagram.com/p/0bFP6sGZ1Z/?tak ... mesmilaras (BOX: SEAL)
https://instagram.com/p/0V61dlmZ1X/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION - SYBIL)
https://instagram.com/p/0Sb87GGZ39/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION - FRIFFLE)
https://instagram.com/p/0QzvKImZ7A/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION)

[HankMan]

So how long now before it starts the kickstarter campaign

[Joker and the Thief]

So how long now before it starts the kickstarter campaign

As of now, 16 hours and 30 minutes

[Collector]

Hello all!

I hope you're all doing well. We are launching very soon so i thought I'd post a few more photos here and give you a little insight into our EB Special!

For our Early Birds, 200 Individual decks of cards will be available for $10USD each.

Since we are from Australia, the campaign will be in AUD, just to keep that in mind. For your convenience we've put the converted prices in USD in the pledge options, just so you know what you're paying

Here are some more photos!

https://instagram.com/p/0YegYFGZ7V/?tak ... mesmilaras (COURT CARDS)
https://instagram.com/p/0bFP6sGZ1Z/?tak ... mesmilaras (BOX: SEAL)
https://instagram.com/p/0V61dlmZ1X/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION - SYBIL)
https://instagram.com/p/0Sb87GGZ39/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION - FRIFFLE)
https://instagram.com/p/0QzvKImZ7A/?tak ... mesmilaras (IN ACTION)

Not a big fan of the seal. Court cards are very nice.

[Joker and the Thief]

We go live in one hour guys! Thanks for all of your support so far!

I'll provide you with a link as soon as the deck goes live.

[Joker and the Thief]

We're LIVE on KICKSTARTER! Here's the link - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jokerandthethief/joker-and-the-thief-playing-cards

Thank you for your support! Go and get yourselves some shiny new cards

[Collector]

Hello all!

I hope you're all doing well. We are launching very soon so i thought I'd post a few more photos here and give you a little insight into our EB Special!

For our Early Birds, 200 Individual decks of cards will be available for $10USD each.

Since we are from Australia, the campaign will be in AUD, just to keep that in mind. For your convenience we've put the converted prices in USD in the pledge options, just so you know what you're paying

Here are some more photos!
...

Not a big fan of the seal. Court cards are very nice.

Noticed the uncut sheet. I have to say that The Queen of Spades, Hearts and the Jack of Diamonds are a little disappointment - their size -> disharmony.

Good luck. Tell your story about the deck.

[Don Boyer]

There's a number of odd elements to this deck.  A Jack carrying a torch?  TWO suicide Kings?

But so what?

This isn't a traditional "I wanna play cards" deck.  This is a "just stands out enough without being distracting, makes my moves look cool" cardistry deck.  Not good as a poker deck, but who cares?  There's a metric f**kton of good or good-enough poker decks out there.  Same thing applies for magic - and besides, what magician would want to use a fancy, expensive (compared to common Bikes), limited-edition deck in a street performance, without any matching gaff cards or gaff decks of any kind?  Aside from what the Virts and De'vo/Handlordz are producing, there's almost nothing for cardistry.