Are there certain things i should know b

Buying a deck is mostly about deciding *which tradition and which condition* you want — the pictures matter less than most shops imply. Five things worth settling before you pay:

1. Size. Standard RWS decks are around 70 × 120 mm — thin enough to shuffle well, big enough to read from. Chunky "collector" decks are harder to handle and often hold more air, which makes reversals ambiguous. If you read a lot, mid-size is the sweet spot.

2. Finish and stock. Matte cards take fingerprints but shuffle cleanly and feel the same every reading. Gloss is slick and prone to sticking. Linen or rough-stock finish lasts longer and doesn't warp. If you plan to actually use it, durability beats prettiness.

3. Which system. Rider–Waite (the classic images most books are keyed to) versus Marseille, which drops court ranks' names and imagery — much harder to read without learning it. Unless you're specifically taught in one, Rider–Waite is the safer buy.

4. Reversals. Some decks are printed reversible, some are single-image. That mainly matters if you read reversals at all — it just means your upside-down card is unambiguous rather than you guessing intent.

5. Condition and completeness, if buying used. 78 cards, no duplicates, no missing numbers. Check the corners and edges for wear and lifting laminate, and ask whether it's been "repaired" — bent cards shuffled badly forever.

On price: a well-made Rider–Waite usually sits in a fairly narrow band. If something is dramatically cheaper, it's likely small size, thin stock, or missing the full78 — worth asking about all three before buying.

One practical thing: buy one deck to start, not a bundle. A second deck is only worth it later if you find one whose art you actually want to look at, because you'll only read the deck you reach for.

And if you want readings done here rather than your own deck — I only work with Rider–Waite, so nothing you buy changes what a spread from me looks like.