Top Playing Card Brands: Elevating Your Game Table Experience

Playing cards have been a staple in gaming and magic performances for centuries, offering endless entertainment and possibilities. Whether you're a casual player or a serious card enthusiast, choosing the right deck can enhance your experience significantly. Many brands stand out for their quality, design, and durability, making them go-to choices for card games or sleight-of-hand artistry. Below, we explore some of the best brands that offer impressive playing cards to suit your style and preferences.

Illustration of playing cards

Best brands of playing cards in 2025

Bicycle

Bicycle Playing Cards, produced by the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC), is the bestselling and most widely used playing card brand globally, with over 135 years of craftsmanship and a reputation for consistent high-quality feel and handling. Known for their superior glide due to the Air-Cushion(r) Finish, Bicycle cards are favored by magicians and casual players alike. The brand is set to celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2025, having recently achieved a milestone of producing 100 million decks in a year. Bicycle cards are also committed to sustainability, using FSC-certified materials and vegetable-based inks. With frequent new editions featuring artwork by world-renowned graphic artists, Bicycle remains a top choice for design lovers and professionals. For more details, visit their official website.

Theory11

Theory11 is renowned as one of the best producers of playing cards, known for their meticulous design and high-quality production. Their cards, such as the Provision Playing Cards, are designed in Philadelphia and made in America, showcasing a unique and vibrant aesthetic with features like ivory-tone, off-white playing card stock and gold foil details. Theory11's products are highly regarded for their flawless feel and finish, appealing to both collectors and casual players. The brand's collaboration with designers like True Hand Society adds to the exclusivity and appeal of their cards. With a strong presence in the market, Theory11 continues to innovate and set standards in the playing card industry.

Ellusionist

Ellusionist is a prominent brand in the playing cards market, known for its innovative and creatively themed decks that captivate consumer interest. The brand has been a key player in the market, contributing to the growth driven by the introduction of unique and branded decks. Despite some opinions suggesting a saturation in deck designs, Ellusionist continues to innovate, leveraging its expertise to maintain a strong presence. The global playing cards market, valued at USD 29.89 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2029, with brands like Ellusionist playing a significant role in this expansion. Ellusionist's success is also attributed to the rising demand for traditional and specialty decks, particularly in regions like North America, which accounts for over 38% of the global revenue.

Bee

Bee playing cards, introduced in 1892 by the New York Consolidated Card Company, are renowned for their casino-quality standards, durability, and superior slip for ease of shuffling. With over 125 years of innovation, Bee cards are made from premium materials and feature a borderless diamond back design, ideal for disguising sleights of hand. They are the preferred choice of many casinos worldwide, except for poker games where plastic cards are used. Bee cards are part of the United States Playing Card Company (USPC) portfolio, which sells over 100 million decks annually. The brand's commitment to sustainability includes using FSC certified materials. For more information, visit their official Bee playing cards page.

Tally-Ho

The Tally-Ho brand is renowned for producing high-quality playing cards, particularly favored by magicians and card enthusiasts. The Tally-Ho No. 9 deck, for instance, is celebrated for its distinct fan-back and circle-back designs, and its cards feature a durable Linoid Finish. Originally produced in 1885, the deck has been reproduced with great fidelity, including a 2018 reproduction funded by a Kickstarter campaign. The cards are known for their stiff stock, which aids in handling and durability, scoring well in tests such as the crimp hold and recovery. This brand's commitment to quality and classic design has made it a staple in the playing card market. For more insights, you can read a Tally-Ho No. 9 Fan Back Deck Review.

Copag

Copag is a renowned brand in the playing card industry, celebrated for its premium quality and durability, with over 100 years of expertise in manufacturing. Known for their resistance to marking and long-lasting performance, Copag cards are a favorite among professional poker players and casual gamers alike. The brand has sold millions of decks globally and is the official sponsor and supplier of the World Series of Poker. Copag's cards are produced in state-of-the-art facilities in Brazil and are appreciated for their vibrant back designs and intricate details. With a legacy that includes the oldest deck still in production in Brazil, the COPAG 139, Copag continues to be a global reference brand for plastic playing cards. For further details on their product offerings, explore their official website.

Kem

Kem brand is renowned for producing high-quality, 100% plastic playing cards, available in various sizes such as Poker, Bridge, and Pinochle, and offering regular and jumbo index options. Their cards, like the Kem Arrow and Kem Paisley series, are popular for their durability and aesthetic designs. The market for playing cards, which includes brands like Kem, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.75% from 2024 to 2031, driven by the increasing interest in indoor entertainment and traditional card games. Kem's products cater to a wide range of card game enthusiasts, from casual players to serious gamers. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a staple in the playing cards market. For more details, visit their official website.

Fournier

Fournier, founded in 1870, is a leading global manufacturer of playing cards, renowned for its high-quality products and innovative designs. The company has won numerous prizes at Universal Exhibitions and is the producer of the most widely used playing cards in casinos, selling around 16 million packs annually. Fournier's market share accounts for more than 35% of the global playing card market, and it is part of a conglomerate that includes brands like Bicycle, Aviator, Bee, and KEM. The company's Spanish playing cards are particularly famous, with sales of around 10 million packs per year. Fournier's commitment to quality is underscored by its ISO 9001-2000 certification. For more information about Fournier's heritage and products, visit their official website.

Cartamundi

Cartamundi, meaning "cards for the world" in Latin, is a leading global manufacturer of playing cards, trading cards, and board games, with a rich history dating back to 1765. The company operates 13 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and employs over 2,500 people across four continents. Cartamundi has significantly expanded its production capacity, including a recent 40% increase in its Turnhout plant, and has acquired notable brands such as Bicycle(r), Bee(r), and Fournier(r). In 2018, Cartamundi generated approximately $440 million in revenue and has continued to grow, capitalizing on the strong demand for collectible cards. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient technologies in its new expansions. For more information, visit the Cartamundi website.

Monarchs

Monarch Playing Cards are renowned for their exceptional quality and elegant design, making them a top choice among card enthusiasts. Featured in the GQ Holiday Gift Guide, these cards are made in the USA on FSC-certified paper and printed on Q1 quality stock with a Premium 909 Finish, ensuring a superior feel and appearance. The Monarch brand is also notable for its appearance in the blockbuster movie "Now You See Me," further highlighting its prestige. With various editions, including limited releases like the gold edition with only 144 in circulation, Monarch Playing Cards cater to both collectors and casual players. Their commitment to sustainability and high-quality materials has earned them a reputation as one of the finest playing card producers. For more information about these exquisite cards, you can visit their product page.