Top 12 Playing Card Decks of 2022 - The Card Guy

Here we go. It's time for the top decks of 2022! This was one of the toughest years yet to limit things on. So you're BOUND do have some different opinions. Let me know what you think!
If you have not already, make sure to vote in the DOTY awards on Portfolio52! www.portfolio52.com/
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[@The_Promised1]

We're so proud of you man. I love your content and there's not much of anything else like it. You got me into the hobby and some of my friends.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Thanks! Glad to help someone else get excited about the hobby - and really appreciate the king words!

[@joshfrancis-nichols765]

Wow, some of these are just gorgeous. Having only recently discovered the joys of playing cards I must say your channel has been a real eye opener. You have great taste and all your vids are always very well presented. You're fast becoming my go to (card) guy! Keep up the good work. Cheers, Josh from UK.

[@circesgame1849]

Oh I love that ten hundred deck! I didn't know they had custom numbered cards like that, that's amazing

[@suicideviking]

Really really great list! I've been wrestling with my top deck from each designer. Native Tongue's Four Clans definitely deserves the mention, but to me LORE really takes the cake!

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Lore is a great deck as well. SO MANY other decks I could have included on the list in a different day!

[@thephantomhennes]

I got the Rattler Gorge deck, and would be in my personal top 12 for sure. I like ink beast, but actually thought the Tattoo deck by Hoa Phan was even better, and also in my top 12. So many KS, I wish some of these were still available for purchase. Thanks for the video.

[@jessetembo1979]

Thirdway Industries is one of the only deck designers I follow much anymore, but I feel they had a banner year in 2022. Memoria, Heartless, and the Eva remasters (especially White Rose) were all incredible decks, and the Poison series was no slouch, either. Fantastic video, learned about a few decks I didn't hear of before.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

I happen to follow Thirdway more than a little - and I agree. This year was one of his strongest. Some excellent designs - both new and old. And I can only hope it keeps rolling in 2023!

[@ThirdwayInd]

Thank you! :)

[@romeril]

29:29 Almanac Vol II is excellent! I love Elettra’s art!

[@rareplayingcards]

Amazing Video!

[@bryanj2764]

Fantastic list! My only complaint is having missed out on the opportunity to buy so many of these already. But I'm always excited to be introduced to so many talented artists, and will have them on my radar in the future!

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Glad to hear I could help you find some new artists! Enjoy their EXCELLENT work!

[@nictownsend9188]

Beautiful decks of cards!

[@mikes0604]

Great deck list TCG and great summary review of each! Unfortunately I'm one of the backers still without my The Origin KS reward, but hoping a miracle happens with that one. All the decks are great, but I couldn't argue one bit about your #1 and #2 decks! I've yet to tackle the puzzle, but looking forward to the challenge.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

It’s a really fun puzzle and a quality challenge! Let me know if you get it!

[@palmcoasthoward]

I honestly love your reviews, but I'm shocked that as of right now, I haven't acquired any of these decks. *lately I've had an interest in purchasing vintage/antique decks. keep up the great work.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

I've just recently started looking a bit more into vintage decks! It's a really interesting world. Obviously this list is focused on new releases. But I am always interested to discover an older deck of interest!

[@jamesmoss3424]

Impressive playing cards of 2022.😀👍

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Just SOME of the impressive playing cards!

[@stevewiskowski495]

I don't know how you do it, but you always showcase these fantastic decks that fell under my radar this year! I just started collecting playing cards a year ago, and I thought I would be caught up to the latest and greatest by now...but nope!! So I do an online search to where to purchase these decks, and they are not easily available or extremely limited! Arghhh...so frustrating!!

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Keeping up with things is definitely difficult sometimes! I do think the hunt for some of these after the fact can be a lot of fun, though. And you get a chance to meet some amazing people in this hobby along the way.

[@salvadorsanchez314]

Love the Rx almanac deck. I’m biased as a healthcare worker 😅. Meadowlark is my favorite card maker. Will always back them on kickstarter. 👀 I haven’t seen you review it yet

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Only got the deck a week or two ago, but it will be reviewed soon! Meadowlark has absolutely killed it with all of their designs so far.

[@hgm8337]

thank you for introducing me to the fantastic work of Sensu

[@nupfe]

Wow! Amazing decks. I wasn't actually interessted in cards, but recently I started the hobby memory technique and memory sport (memorizing a deck of cards for instance). I'm also interested in drawing and design. I didn't know that there are such amazing cards out there.

[@nupfe]

Btw I subscribed. I have a question about collecting card decks. I recogniezd that on every card box you haven't removed the seal. I have removed the seals on my first card deck boxes (bicycle decks). Is this a mistake? Is it better to cut the seal only instead of removing?

[@CalebtheMagymcian]

Great video! It's always so hard to choose

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

That it is…so many good ones that couldn’t hit the top 12!

[@chavidcarlson4300]

My most favorite deck of the year would be Sterling Gilded Edition. Elegant Walnut wood case, Beautiful Gold Elizabeth Tower (Where Big Ben is located) seal that wraps around the bottom of the tuck box. Also, many more gold foiling of Elizabeth Tower is inside the tuck box too. All the cards have holographic foiling on the front, then holo + gold foil on the back, plus the name of each card printed on them. Then the gold gilding just adds even more gorgeous detail to these cards. Super glad I snagged one during KWP 12 Days of Christmas!

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Congrats! Jackson clearly has a passion for currency designs going back to the beginning of his playing card career.

[@joshuaseideman5694]

You nailed it with your top 3. As you reviewed your 4th deck of the year- I was on the edge of my seat for some reason, waiting for you to mention the 3 decks I still had in mind… and apparently we share similar taste. So satisfying to see the reveal of your top 3. Speaking of delays and drama around KS campaigns, maybe 2023’s deck will be Jack’s latest Nazo Nazo. I can’t wait. On that note, what are your most anticipated decks for 2023?

[@joshuaseideman5694]

By the way, this was the first video of yours I’ve seen. Subscribed right away. Watch my email about your deck!

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

A fellow connoisseur of excellent taste!

[@nugit72yt47]

Hey I am just wondering if you could include links in the description on where to buy these cards having a hard time finding them

[@circesgame1849]

Eversince I got Edo, i have been contemplating whether to open or not, still not sure... Great artwork

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Open it! Great decks like that are meant to breathe!

[@romeril]

Open it Circe!! 🙌😁

[@jack-a-lopium]

Love Rattler Gorge! Any of you guys think Vivid Kingdom is anywhere close to having a market rollout? Or if that's even 'on the cards' for the project? Obviously KS fulfillment is in the 10s of 1000s already, lol. I'll have to look into 'Four Clans'. I seem to have missed that one in the shuffle, this year (last year, lol)

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Missed in the SHUFFLE?!? I see what you did there!

[@hozonov7995]

Sensu really looks great! Thanks for the vid. Also how do you even find these. I can never find these kind of projects to back and usually there is no other way to get them.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Find some of the backers from the comments on some of the older projects and follow them - as well as following particular creators! I’d also recommend checking out UnitedCardists.com. The forums there do a great job highlighting the best campaigns out there.

[@hozonov7995]

@@TheCardGuyReviews that's really helpful as I just started my collection relatively recently. Thank you!

[@Sneyk64]

MISTBORN HAS PLAYING CARDS?!?! OH MY GOD THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@munchymunch8698]

Hi, new to your channel, wheres the best place to buy some of these decks? Thanks

[@DARKARMED93]

Great video and content as always. Would you happen to know where I can purchase that sensu deck?

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

They are not available on his site yet, but reach out to @jack_brutus_penny on IG and he can help you out today!

[@tiagomoreira8742]

Great Channel! Discovered you Yesterday and looking forward for your videos! Would massively help links where to buy them :) EU links if possible. Thanks alot for this quality content

[@luckrocker4880]

Duuude!! I've never seen anything like those playing cards!!! What a great collections❤ where i can get all of them😭???

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Haha! Depends on which. Let me know what you're looking for and I will try to help out!

[@luckrocker4880]

I love The third of the opening, vivid kingdom, forbidden forest, shogun, and the others😅 they must be expensive😔

[@BlackHand531]

Where do I find those two cards decks at the start. The one you made and the other one?

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Send me an email ([e-mail]) and I can help you out with Rattler Gorge! On Vivid Kingdoms, I imagine there will be some available once Kickstarter fulfillment completes - so it may be a bit.

[@Joker-fx6mh]

Skymember are crooks. I haven’t even gotten my decks that I paid $400 for. They asked me for even more money and I declined as did so many. I hope I get what I originally paid for. They will never come back from this.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

I completely get the frustration. Fulfillment was - and still is - a complete mess. I find the situation incredibly sad. Backers deserved better. While I think the decks are outstanding pieces of art, it doesn’t excuse the ongoing mess.

[@josephjones357]

TWI Devotion decks could have been included but would be difficult to display 😉

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Excited about that one too - but I consider it a 2023 deck! Maybe a little something to start next year’s list off… 🤔

[@josephjones357]

@@TheCardGuyReviews 2022 release but most people only get theirs in 2023..... most 😉

[@romeril]

I agree, definitely a 2023 release; some were lucky to get it early in 2022

[@josephjones357]

@@romerilNot to twist anyone's nipples but....This is a quote from Gio off his website, " I consider Devotion the TWI deck of the year 2022."

[@Tamarus19]

Most of those aren't my cup of tea, but anything from S17 belongs for sure. Odd Fellows is my #1

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Lorenzo truly is one of the best in the world at this thing. His spot(s) on this list are well earned!

[@josephjones357]

Which Odd Fellows deck?

[@Tamarus19]

@@josephjones357 If I had to pick one, Uncle Tibia.

[@josephjones357]

@@Tamarus19 Is that one of the decks that has the same court cards just recoloured?

[@2355Cdub]

Very nice top 13. Little surprised not a KWP stand-alone deck in it. With lotr, sterling, even Noel is such a fantastic deck. Obviously I’m a KWP fan so little bias, lol, but TOTALLY AGREE with jack penny and his deck. Sure hope he sticks with designing more decks. And he’s awesome guy as well.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

I have heard you're a bit of a KWP fan! Haha. It's definitely difficult to come up with a definitive list, so there's going to be hard cuts to make. But I feel great about all the decks on the list - and about 100 decks that aren't on the list as well!

[@Fenrir11119]

I don’t think any of Jackson’s decks were good enough to pass anything on the list this year. He’s really not put out anything on the same caliber as his 2019 year.

[@romeril]

Gotta agree with Nathan here. 👆

[@kidneythief6227]

Will most of these deck survive actual play are they really only made to be art pieces?

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Good question! Most of the time I think the weak point on sturdiness lies in the tuck boxes - which almost certainly won't hold up to getting beat up. The cards themselves will vary. I wouldn't expect much out of the gilded decks personally, but the others should hold up reasonably well to gameplay.

[@kidneythief6227]

​@@TheCardGuyReviews Awesome thanks! Edit: I purchased the Cthulhu Mythos Comicology deck by Vermillion and its already showing pretty noticable signs of wear after only a few games of spades. So I was wondering if all decks were the same.

[@ioanniskarampournou9897]

What’s the name of the first deck? 4 something.. Thanks 🙏

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

4 Clans by Native Tongue Studios.

[@sbarullasbonderi9577]

Are they durable for usage?

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Which one(s)?

[@sbarullasbonderi9577]

@@TheCardGuyReviews all of them. Because I was looking for magic tricks cards ( i don t want to buy bycicle )

[@sanamop5321]

Is even one of them available to purchase in India?

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Not sure what is available to ship to India - but there are plenty of ways to find them depending on which one you mean!

[@sanamop5321]

@@TheCardGuyReviews honestly, any one of these is fine...as they all are fantastic

[@user-cd1yh8bf9x]

I like your videos and cardistry but i don't have a single deck because in our country they are expensive and fake and from an unknown company 😢😢😢

[@canadsian2747]

No judgement here, it's clear you're focusing on the product itself and not what surrounds it... but we got to talk about Skymember. Personally, and again no judgement, I would have spent another 5 minutes railing about how disrespectful they are. There is no universe in which what they have done is acceptable. They are thieves, they deserve to be shamed, and I hope the word gets out so that nobody ever backs another project of theirs again. To treat backers in the way in which they have is a slap in the face and their reputation should be buried 6 feet deep.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

Thanks for the commentary! I do not disagree with you whatsoever, and I think word IS getting out - as it should. My focus was definitely on the product rather than the situation. And I absolutely attempted to address it in the video as directly as I could. That said, I wanted to use this time to celebrate great decks rather than giving personal thoughts on creators. And the video was already 38 minutes. Haha!

[@peteverb479]

KWP Sterling is amazing and to have T11 LOTR and not KWP LOTR is just not right.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

A lot of debate over the superior version of LOTR! Both put a ton of work into their decks, but Kevin Cantrell's style just took it for me. And that tuck...SO GOOD!

[@ryushogun9890]

Shogun had so much to go well, and the design it's a let down.

[@TheCardGuyReviews]

What was it that let you down with Shogun? I'm (obviously) a huge fan of that one!

[@user-hb9bg1jp9v]

No1 and No5 r not playable at all - sorry!