2025 Deck of the Year Awards

[BaconWise]

Hey folks! The DOTY Award voting is going live in the next couple of days. Take a moment to check out the Instagram page and keep an eye out for details on the launch soon. I guess I am still not able to embed images in UC these days, so I will update this post with more visual assets when I can!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUMWzx5EnHN ... BiNWFlZA==


2025 WINNERS - FULL LIST
Continue beyond this post for more details in each category - what a year!

Deck of the Year
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
Moonbound — Thirdway Industries

Rookie of the Year
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Passport — Michael Gallagher (Sinecure)
Fenrir — JinJade

Best Cardistry Deck
Pirouette — Lotusinhand
Case Study — Dan & Dave
Cardistry Con v4 — Orbit

Best Magic Deck
Beyond Imagination — Jeremy Tan Magic
Magician’s Last Secret — AntiFaro
Nocturnal — EmilySleights52

Best Tuck
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
Atlantis — Ark
Morpheus — Charmie Dreams The Cat

Best Fan
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Thalassic — Marianne Larsen
Dualism — Thirdway Industries

Best Aces
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
Robin Hood — Kings Wild Project
Corrupted — The Gentleman Wake

Best Courts
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Pied Piper — Wondercraft
Cyclopeans — Stockholm17

Best Jokers
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
The Parlour Royale — Stockholm17 + The Gentleman Wake
Room 52x52 — SmoothWriting + TCC

Best Pips
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Pied Piper — Wondercraft
Fool’s Court — Pocket Aces

Best Back
Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
Qalif — Oath
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks

Best Composition
Cyclopeans — Stockholm17
Castle in the Sky — Jack Brutus Penny
Steeped — Squiddle Ink

Best Innovation
Cyclopeans — Stockholm17
Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
Magician’s Last Secret — AntiFaro

Best Extras
Pied Piper — Wondercraft
Passport — Michael Gallagher (Sinecure)
Castle in the Sky — Jack Brutus Penny

[BaconWise]

Anyone voting in the 2025 DOTY Awards will be entered to win one of 52 different store credit prizes from the following awesome sponsors:

- 52+ Joker
- Emily Sleights52
- Pocket Aces
- Squiddle Ink
- Stockholm17
- Thirdway Industries
- Wondercraft
- X-Decks
- Dutch Cut Decks
- A Haines Playing Cards
- Jocu
- Cardvo
- ARK
- JP Games
- Black Ink
- Elettra Deganello
- Curt Card Collection

Head to www.dotyawards.org to get your vote on! Votes must be submitted before the livestream on March 22nd to be eligible.

[BaconWise]

Best Extras → Recognizing the details beyond the deck.

This category celebrates the add-ons, enhancements, and meaningful extensions that elevate a project from a set of cards into an experience.

Pied Piper — Wondercraft
The Metal Card stands on its own as a premium collectible — beautifully executed and perfectly aligned with the deck’s story.

Passport — Michael Gallagher (Sinecure)
The Passport Wallet isn’t just an extra — it’s a practical addition to any card enthusiast’s arsenal, built to feel intentional and premium.

Castle in the Sky — Jack Brutus Penny
The Flying Castle Case is a display piece that really hasn’t been seen before. Totally unique and takes packaging to a new level of presentation.

All nominees in this category pushed beyond the cards themselves — showing just how thoughtful design can elevate the entire experience. Congratulations to all the nominees!

[BaconWise]

Best Innovation → Recognizing forward-thinkers and their cool ideas.

This category celebrates bold concepts, structural experimentation, and inventive thinking — where designers challenge industry expectations and expand what a deck can be.

Cyclopeans — Stockholm17
A complete departure from tradition — the geometric form and striking visual identity transform the deck into a sculptural object. It’s innovative not just in concept, but in how it feels in hand and stands apart on display.

Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
The magnetic cigar box elevates packaging into an experience — rich in detail, tactile, and unmistakably premium. It blurs the line between tuck and keepsake.

Magician’s Last Secret — AntiFaro
A clever trick tuck that invites interaction — layering mystery and mechanics into the unboxing, and perfectly capturing the spirit of magic through design.

All nominees in this category pushed boundaries — proving that innovation in playing card design is alive and well, evolving, and full of fun surprises. Congratulations to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

I don't know that I agree with the best innovation. A different shape but Lorenzo already did a similar departure from tradition with his 17th Kingdom decks back in 2022

[BaconWise]

Best Composition → Recognizing the art of visual balance and storytelling.

This category celebrates the thoughtful arrangement of every element within a deck — where color, form, and space work together to guide the eye, create harmony, and evoke a distinct feeling.

Cyclopeans — Stockholm17
A striking use of radial balance and geometric structure — every detail is precisely placed and formed to create a composition that feels both controlled and visually powerful.

Castle in the Sky — Jack Brutus Penny
A layered, narrative-driven composition — where each card acts as a piece of a larger visual puzzle, coming together through intricate linework and playful color to build depth, movement, and a sense of discovery.

Steeped — Squiddle Ink
A bold and confident use of contrast — balancing vibrant color, typography, and ornamentation to create a composition that is instantly engaging and full of energy.

All nominees in this category champion a deep understanding of visual language — showing how composition transforms individual elements into a cohesive and expressive whole. Congratulations to all the finalists!

[kevork]

I don't know that I agree with the best innovation. A different shape but Lorenzo already did a similar departure from tradition with his 17th Kingdom decks back in 2022

Well, one must factor in that these awards can be a sort of popularity contest and not necessarily what is "best." Needing a stand to stay upright definitely knocks points off of Cyclopeans for me.

[BaconWise]

Best Back → The defining signature of a deck.

This category celebrates the most iconic canvas in playing card design, where symmetry, detail, and visual identity come together to create something cohesive and compelling.

Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
An elegant and highly refined statement piece — blending intricate ornamentation with perfect symmetry to create a back design that feels both timeless and deeply expressive.

Qalif — Oath
A masterclass in detail and luxury craftsmanship — layering ornate patterns, rich texture, and precise framing to create a back that rewards close inspection from every angle.

Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
A bold, heritage-inspired design — structured and clean, with a strong, instantly-classic feel.

All nominees in this category demonstrate clearly how important the back design is for defining the identity of a deck — the way it balances and breathes informs visual impact from first impression to lasting impression. Congratulations to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

Needing a stand to stay upright definitely knocks points off of Cyclopeans for me.

But it won Best Composition for Recognizing the art of visual balance

I cannot believe the winner of Best Back - how does Nocturnal not get in the top 3 in this ordinary lot

Link still availabe to check them out https://www.dotyawards.org/

[BaconWise]

Best Pips → The smallest details that make the biggest difference.

This category celebrates one of the core building blocks of every deck. Simple at first glance, but when done right, they can completely define the personality and feel of the cards.

Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
A stunning reinterpretation of traditional pips — rich with ornamentation, yet still perfectly readable. It plays on our expectations but creates a lovely through-line where every detail feels intentional and beautifully tied into the world of the deck.

Pied Piper — Wondercraft
Playful, thoughtful, and full of character — these pips have wonderful movement. A fresh take that adds personality without ever getting in the way of function.

Fool’s Court — Pocket Aces
Clean, clever, and quietly unique — this system keeps things simple while adding just enough personality to make it feel special.

All nominees in this category demonstrated a dedicated approach to their designs that didn’t forgo the importance of an often-overlooked element of playing card formatting. Congrats to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

Shahnameh has already won 2 categories so it looks certain to win some more - Rookie, Courts, DOTY?
So if you missed it here is the KS link for best viewing.
The DOTY pic does not show the foiling (always hard to photograph) as well as KS - I appreciate the backs a little more now

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sh ... -card-deck

[BaconWise]

Best Courts → Where storytelling really comes to life.

This category celebrates the dynamic trio of the deck. While rooted in tradition, this is where designers get to showcase their style to reinterpret and reimagine these main characters.

Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
A beautifully cohesive and refined interpretation — balancing elegance and personality while staying incredibly true to the spirit of the deck. Every character feels intentional and fully realized.

Pied Piper — Wondercraft
A fresh and stylized take that leans into elegance, character, and charm. These courts feel truly expressive, and match the liveliness of the rest of the deck.

Cyclopeans — Stockholm17
Intricate, distinctive, and powerful — these courts bring a unique perspective with layered symbolism and a design language that feels both structured and imaginative, adding to the strong visual consistency of the deck.

All nominees in this category demonstrated how much spirit can evolve from the familiar framework of face cards — proving that even the most traditional elements can feel completely fresh with the right customization. Congrats to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

I half expected them to win. The only thing that put me off them was the black Jacks as they felt too cartoonish - strangely like a cross between Aladdin and his Genie

[BaconWise]

Best Aces → Where one card speaks volumes.
.
Focusing in on the power of Ace cards — often a statement piece of a deck, and weighted with all the highs and lows that go along with it. A single moment for a single symbol, style, and tone, all distilled into one card.

Cavaliers — Kings & Crooks
A beautifully constructed centerpiece that feels both classic and elevated. The layered typography and ornate detailing give it a strong sense of identity, making it feel like the heart of the deck rather than just a single pip.

Robin Hood — Kings Wild Project
Rich with storybook detail and traditional influence, KWP knocks it out of the park with this edition of an already classic series. Pulling from iconic formatting and leaning into a timeless aesthetic, this design still feels fresh. It captures the spirit of the deck with the craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from the brand.

Corrupted — The Gentleman Wake
A bold and striking design that immediately grabs your attention. The sharp symmetry and glowing contrast create a powerful visual moment, fit for a proper power ace — and not shying away from artistic expression and intensity.

All nominees in this category show how much impact a single card can carry, and just how strong a first impression can be. Congrats to all the finalists!

[BaconWise]

Best Fan → Where design unfolds.

This category celebrates how a deck comes to life to showcase the artwork. When spread or fanned (or flowered), this is the sweet spot for designers to reveal something more — patterns, flow, and hidden composition that only exists when the deck is sculpted.

Shahnameh — Shabnam Adiban
An absolutely stunning fan that feels natural in any form. The intricate linework and symmetry create a seamless visual rhythm, turning the deck into a flowing piece of art.

Thalassic — Marianne Larsen
A beautifully organic fan with rich texture. The layered feather-like forms create an effortless flow that feels almost alive as the cards open up. A brilliant borderless back design, elevated by the patterned movement.

Dualism — Thirdway Industries
A bold, graphic approach that plays with contrast and transformation. The split color system creates a striking visual effect, and opens itself up to ever more presentation potential — especially as the fan expands and reveals the full composition.

All nominees in this category show how much thought goes into the full deck experience — proving the magic isn’t just in a single card or back design, but in how they come together. Congrats to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

Shahnameh is a nice fan for a bordered deck But Really 'Best Fan' for this lot.

I am beginning to wonder whether there has been a smart campaign to enlist votes - something that has happened in other awards And the weakness of popularity awards
Sorry but that is what I thought with it winning every category that it has been a finalist for - I am expecting it to win Rookie and DOTY
Are the wins by an overwhelming number?
It will be interesting to see the margins when the vote numbers are released like they were last year

[kevork]

It's quite an awful fan just looking at the pictures on the dotyawards site.

[Honeybee]

My wife is a very artistic person but Most Definitely not a collector (LOL) and I just showed her all the fans (large size on my desktop) on the DOTY page. As we filed through them she told me who is "winning so far" - when we got to the winner she simply said "not that one"
Yes, just another opinion, I know.

Shabnam is undoubtedly a talented designer and a great new addition to the card industry and therefore I post these thoughts somewhat reluctantly but I cannot help but wonder whether not only her buyers but also her family and friends have been over zealous

On the other hand these awards are usually won with under 200 votes and her KS for the deck did have 670 backers and this was her last update to them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing this but I will have a look if others did the same
Personally, I do not vote in categories where I don't think I am well enough informed about all the nominees

ps I would like to once again thank the DOTY organizers who do a wonderful job for us and the industry promoting this award

[Honeybee]

I only did a KS search for the other decks that were nominees for Best Fan.
None that were a KS campaign thought to Update pledgers that they were nominated

[BaconWise]

I only did a KS search for the other decks that were nominees for Best Fan.
None that were a KS campaign thought to Update pledgers that they were nominated

That has been the biggest surprise for me: the lack of outreach from some of the noms. Granted, Shabnam has a very large following, but there was not a lot of activity from other creators across all categories.

[BaconWise]

Best Magic Deck → Where design meets deception.

This category celebrates decks built for magic — where details serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. From subtle utility to theatrical presentation, these decks can quickly become essential staples to any magician’s arsenal.

Beyond Imagination — Jeremy Tan Magic
A beautifully cohesive deck that fully embraces its magical identity. Elegant, refined, and thoughtfully constructed, it feels as polished in performance as it does in presentation.

Magician’s Last Secret — AntiFaro
A strong, character-driven concept with a clear point of view. The design leans into classic magic themes while still feeling distinct and purposeful.

Nocturnal — EmilySleights52
Moody and atmospheric, this deck builds a quiet sense of intrigue with a refined traditional style. It’s subtle, focused, and supports performance with a distinct visual identity.

All nominees in this category bring important considerations to their designs to expand the magician’s tool belt — whether it’s partially marked, fully deceptive, or adds a creative boost for a trick or three. Congrats to all the finalists!

[Honeybee]

I only did a KS search for the other decks that were nominees for Best Fan.
None that were a KS campaign thought to Update pledgers that they were nominated

That has been the biggest surprise for me: the lack of outreach from some of the noms. Granted, Shabnam has a very large following, but there was not a lot of activity from other creators across all categories.

Maybe they don't want to go into 'election mode' and campaign to elicit a win for themselves - that is not what many other than politicians feel comfortable with

Why don't we still have nominations come from the public BUT have a panel of respected judges choose the winners

[BaconWise]

I only did a KS search for the other decks that were nominees for Best Fan.
None that were a KS campaign thought to Update pledgers that they were nominated

That has been the biggest surprise for me: the lack of outreach from some of the noms. Granted, Shabnam has a very large following, but there was not a lot of activity from other creators across all categories.

Maybe they don't want to go into 'election mode' and campaign to elicit a win for themselves - that is not what many other than politicians feel comfortable with

Why don't we still have nominations come from the public BUT have a panel of respected judges choose the winners

Good insight and It is certainly something we have considered, but there will be unhappy people either way. We are looking into a combination of those aspects for the future but having the public decide the winners seems to make the most sense at the moment.

[Honeybee]

If Shahnameh wins 6 out of 6 this year - has the public really decided or has a marketing strategy won

[BaconWise]

Best Cardistry Deck → Where motion is the medium.

Design and performance all wrapped up into one — This category transforms simple handling into something visual, rhythmic, and expressive.

Pirouette — Lotusinhand
A masterclass in motion-driven design. Every element feels intentional, creating fluid, continuous visuals that shine from every angle.

Case Study — Dan & Dave
A minimal, clean system from the OG choreographers — a deck series that proves restraint and precision can be just as powerful in motion.

Cardistry Con v4 — Orbit
Bold, graphic, and instantly recognizable, a wonderful exploration that embraces energy and contrast, built to stand out in fast-paced performance.

From subtle flow to high-impact visuals, every nominee champions a design story that rewards play and evolves with every storyteller that picks them up. Huge congrats to all the finalists.

[Adamthinks]

These are clearly wins based on marketing. I kinda also don't care though, since I think awards for art are weird. Its not a competition.

[Honeybee]

An interesting take Adam.
I was thinking it is just as much about giving the public the opportunity to express their opinions - but why? We could and do just that on the forum

[kevork]

An interesting take Adam.
I was thinking it is just as much about giving the public the opportunity to express their opinions - but why? We could and do just that on the forum

Different level of outreach, engaging different parts of the community. Everyone is welcome to take the results with a grain of salt. I consider myself an avid collector, but did not vote in these awards. To Adam's point, I find it quite difficult to compare art with each other and decide on "the best."

[DeepCard]

With all due respect, I don't think it's a fair contest. There are a few points:

It's really easy to manipulate the vote counts. There are tons of ways to create email accounts, and I think they could do better with security—like adding more verification steps, allowing only ISP emails, or banning one-time email addresses.

The rules themselves are meant to find the deck/artist with the most fans, not the best. It's like if you voted for the best basketball player using these rules and put some non-basketball players on the list; Billie Eilish might still win over Stephen Curry.

This is a public vote (a referendum), and I’d like to quote Ricky Gervais: 'Do you know how stupid the average person is? ... Half of the population is below average intelligence. HALF! We still sell bottles of bleach with big labels on them that say "do not drink." Let’s take those labels off for two years and then have a referendum.'

It's difficult to avoid the political aspect, but this year's DOTY winner is a rookie and an Iranian based in Canada. One of her signature pieces is called 'Woman Life Freedom.' I don't mean to say it’s impossible, but what is the probability of that?

[Honeybee]

I love the efforts of the organizers but I think 2026 will be the year to appoint a judging panel to choose from the general public's nominations

I think that when Jamie posts the placegetters votes we might find that it was not even close.
Jamie is surprised that Shabnam was the only one that alerted her KS backers to the voting - mind you, not all the decks had KS campaigns
Shabnam is not only a talented artist but a good business woman and congratulations to her.
I think she only updated her KS backers - if she had put it out there on Insta, what with her 87,000 followers it would have been a bigger landslide.
It became ludicrous when this deck won best fan

One of the finalists in DOTY was Corrupted. I am afraid that that was an omen.

ps I just noticed that one of some of the prizes for categories like this and rookie, are worth thousands of dollars