Which kind of deck should I get next?
Question
Which kind of deck should I get next?
Answer
Short answer: get a Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) 78-card deck — that's the one this assistant reads, and it's the easiest standard deck to learn on. Everything else is a second opinion, not an upgrade.
| If you want… | Get | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Readings with me, or to learn the classic system | RWS 78 (22 Major + 56 Minor) | Minor suits are drawn as scenes, so meanings are readable without a book. Look for Strength = VIII, Justice = XI on the box/card index — that's RWS numbering |
| A second deck for your own practice | Marseille (French) | Older tradition, symbols and court cards are plainer, Major-only is common. Numbers shift: Strength = XI, Justice = VIII, and The Fool is unnumbered. Not interchangeable with RWS wording |
| Something for quick daily prompts | A small oracle deck | Fine as a companion, but it's a different tool, not a second tarot |
Two things to check before you buy: the set should say 78 cards (some cheap ones sneak in a blank or title card), and get a mat too — shuffling RWS by hand without one wears the corners fast.
What are you buying it for — learning to read on your own, or just to have something on the table when you ask me? The pick changes a bit if you're buying to travel or to start with a lot of decks.