Monarch Playing Cards

• 5

I LOVE these cards. My friends were really impressed when I whipped them out of my pocket like a boss. And for the first time I felt that I was in control of the cards. They fan, faro, riffle etc. really well even to the point were it makes the flourishes and sleights easy.

• 5

Just got them. The first thing I noticed was obviously the box. It is breathtakingly beautiful to see, and the textures on the outside of the box made me almost reluctant to open the box and see what was inside because I'd have to break the imperial seal. But boy was it worth it.

• 5

I love these cards they feel great, The box looks perfect! The cards almost look vintage in a new way (if that makes sense). They are simple yet have a beautiful new look. The ace looks simple but it works in a good way.

• 4

As soon as these cards arrived along with my Steampunk decks, I rushed to tear off the plastic and get my hands on them. Here are my separate reviews for each item.

Tuck Case: Beautiful. The gold accents and the dyed fibers instead of ink that allow the case to be colored on the inside as well as the outside are really exquisite. I love the Latin phrases on the face of the box as well! As a collector, these small details are aspects of playing cards that I can fully appreciate.

Cards: The gorgeous design and simple colors on the back of the actual playing cards showcase the elegance of this deck. You really FEEL like royalty when you hold them. My only disappointment was that the faces were standard Bicycle (although the gold instead of yellow on the face cards is wonderful), thus the four stars.

Feel: Incredibly fantastic. I test every custom deck I purchase for a good spread right out of the box, as well as a fan, and the Monarchs complied wonderfully. However, I'm almost afraid to mess with them as they're so nice. Oh, well. Guess I'm gonna be playing with these for a long time. ;)

• 5

I figured this deck of cards was "all hype".

I was wrong.

Theory11 out did themselves with these creatures. They handle unlike any cards I have ever put in my hands.

The back design is the perfect balance of detail and minimalism.

• 5

These cards have an amazing design and they fan amazing. This is a must buy deck.

• 5

Epic. That's the middle name of these cards. The feel, the design. Holy sh*t! That was my first reaction to handling these. If you're thinking about buying some - STOP thinking and buy them. I could say that I used to love Standard Bicycle cards, but then I took a Monarch to the knee.

• 2

Good cards but like all the other reviews i opened the box and handled them and well.. I was not quite as impressed as I thought I would be. The only thing I like about these cards is the box that looks good in my collection. Other then that, that's where they'll stay.

• 5

These handle well out of the box as many others have said. They go well with flourishes, but not as great for fans as the Sentinels.

5 stars because there is still the box and deck back design.

• 4

WOW... These cards look even better in person! I love the tuck case design, looks so classy!

My only problem is the unoriginal face design. Kinda clashes with the back design. If they did something like Sentinels, then face/back would not be in such a discordant square aspect as they are now. Sentinels get a trine aspect and A+ for originality.

The back design is INCREDIBLE. But something no one else has mentioned is that the design is reminiscent of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil mentioned in the Book of Genesis; I'm not Christian or Jewish, but I'm pretty sure the esoteric symbolism hasn't escaped the notice of the guys in t11. Hopefully we'll get better face designs in the next one.

If I was the designer, I'd also make a sister deck to this one, only instead of the snake/branches caduceus we have here, there would be a symmetric Tree of Life symbol (the ten-circle web in Kabbalah) on the back, and Hebrew writing on the scrolls. That would be something to see.

If not for magic, I'll at least use them for cartomancy; add that to the many runes and tarot sets I own

• 2

I really, really wanted to love these cards. I like most everything theory11 has ever done (Propagandas are incredible and my Centurions rarely leave my hands). That being said, I really feel like the Monarch's were 90% hype.

When I got my box, I was incredibly impressed. The embossing looked great, the logos were well done and the box was higher quality than most of which I've seen... Then I pulled out the deck, and my first thought was "that's all?"

The artwork is bland (even and especially on the face cards,) and the backs are just black and white ink in a cliche' symmetrical pattern.

Again, I'd love to like these cards, but I'm not going to pay 5 dollars for a halfway decent deck and a really nice box. I'm going to stick with theory11's other cards.

• 5

Let's put it this way, Monarchs are by far the highest quality I have ever seen! The look is sleek and not cluttered like other cards. The look is sleek and sexy and they fit in your hand like the first time you accidently rubbed against your first breast. Yeah, it's that kinda feeling when you open the pack for the first time and slide the cards out and spread them between your fingers! The ink is nothing short of amazing.

Basically, theory11 figured out a way to put $%#ing Awesome in a kick ass box! Used the thickest card stock available from USPCC. While using the Monarchs, they make a statement, much like driving an exotic car, I'm making up for something by using these and proud of it! Thank you lord baby Jesus and T11 for giving us a masterpiece that we can play with, but with such elegance. Hell, you should probably leave 'em in the box and display them as a conversation piece, or just buy more packs as collectors items and to enjoy the quality like I did. GREAT WORK.

• 5

These cards are simply fantastic. They handle amazing straight out of the box and the back and box design is just outstanding. However, like a few other people I would have loved some change to the faces, but there ain't nothing wrong with standard.

Also the mere quality of the cards is enough for anyone to fall in love with them instantly! Some of theory11's best cards to date.

• 5

Received my Monarchs today. They handle wonderfully straight out of the box and they look truly fantastique. The tuck case is just loaded with detail, just beautiful. So many custom decks are released nowadays and the Monarchs blow most of them out of the water.

I can't stress how well they handle out of the box, and they have a very nice thickness to them. I can see these lasting a long while. Great work theory11.

• 5

The NICEST tuck-case I have ever seen! Classy, clean, upscale look!

Like the Bee Stingers, the more subdued colors (lack of yellow) on the court cards make the deck look more professional (yellow has been replaced with classy gold).

The Aristocrat card stock feels great in the hands with good spring and stiffness.

The back design is also subdued and clean. If you can get away with a non-traditional back design in performance, or if you want something a little extra-ordinary, THESE are the best of the new deck designs I have seen to date!

Great job Theory11, 5 STARS!

• 5

The Monarchs are absolutely incredible. I had a talent for completely ruining the finishes and edges on new decks of card after a few shuffles, but the Monarchs are me-proof.

After an entire day of flourishing, they still slide smoothly. I believe that the finish on these cards is composed mainly of pixie dust.

Some people don't like the design, but it's sort of grown on me. The only problem with the Monarchs? For some reason, I had the impression that the Monarchs would have metallic gold on the court cards and well, they don't.

• 5

I have been collecting different decks for a few years now, all in the search for a deck that meets my extremely high standards for the quality of card stock and finish, along with a simple and elegant design.

Well, for awhile I was alternating between different decks until I finally saw these for sale at my favorite online magic store. After receiving them and opening the box, I saw the most amazing and beautiful design for a card case. The embossed designs in the color of gold on a very simple yet powerful and direct dark blue. The same sort of card cases similar to JAQK deck and a few others, so its high quality like never before.

The cards themselves have very high quality Q1 quality card stock, and the finish on the cards make fans almost effortless, just gliding along smoothly. With the high quality card stock, accidentally bending the cards are easy to straighten out and fix the cards.

Because of all this and more, I've finally found the one deck that I will only use to perform card magic and gambling routines. The amazing quality card stock and very, very simple yet amazingly beautiful design on the back make these cards a deck everyone should have in their collection and to use in your performance. You'll absolutely fall in love with these cards once you've checked out the card box and then removed the cards to then perform your opening a new deck ritual slight of hand test.

Buy them, it would be impossible to regret it.

• 5

You can see the pictures, and read what people have to say about the design; personally I like it, but for me the important thing is the feel. Boy, do these cards go over the edge.

They're plenty flexible (comparable to aristocrats), but have a good snap. And the finish on this stock... like handling silk. They're unique, and definitely some of the best (if not THE best) handling cards in my collection.

• 3

The box is very awesome. Masterpiece. However, there is no design for the face of the cards, or at least I didn't notice any. This is a little bit disappointing when compared to the awesomeness of the box.

• 5

Never has a tuck box been so awesome, and then there are the cards which are just as amazing. I love the red seal against the dark box.

I hope the red seals will become available and I like the two inscriptions "Let it be perpetual" and "Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen". Very interesting for a card back with two serpents and a sword. Definitely worth the wait and secrecy.

• 3

Great packaging design. Let's see some work on the faces of the cards now. This is just another redesign of the backs and tuck case. Really nice work but the hard design is the faces. It's like a type-face. It's a lot more difficult to design, I understand. But, for that, I'd be willing to buy them.

• 5

My first impression: very awesome deck. One of the greatest - I must have it. T11 really knows how to make the greatest cool deck. Awesome!

• 5

This box is one of the most amazing and intricate out there. The messages in Latin and and Italian on the box and cards are cool too. I did wish they had a little more diversity on faces, especially with jokers being my favorite one-off cards, but that is easily covered by the detail and beauty of the case and back design. Can't wait to start handling them.

• 5

This design is AMAZING. It use black and gold as solemn as Han empire style. Order now! I can’t wait for it to ship!

• 5

Well this deck looks just awesome! Can't wait for them to come to my house!

• 4

I really wish t11 would spend more time revising the actual faces of the cards (similar to the Sentinels). I feel like they devote too much time into the look of the box itself. Granted, the design for this box is superb, I still would be willing to sacrifice some of it's awesomeness for a more interesting take on the front of the cards.

• 5

Looks amazing guys. You outdid yourselves for sure this time. Just bought my first brick from T11 and I think these were the perfect cards to do that with. So excited to get these soon and add to my collection and also take them to the streets and see what the reactions are! Sentinels have been my all time favorite thus far. Looks like they are taking a number two seat now.