Best Tarot Decks for Beginners: How to Pick Your First Deck
The best first tarot deck is one with a picture on every card and the standard 78-card structure, because that is what most books and lessons teach. Below are five good starting decks, a quick quiz to match you with one, and a checklist for buying.
Affiliate note: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which decks we include.
Find your first deck in 4 questions
Our quick picks
| Deck | Best for | Style | Budget | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider-Waite Tarot Deck | Following books and online guides | Classic | Budget | Check price |
| Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot | RWS lessons with livelier colour | Classic, bright | Budget to mid | Check price |
| Smith-Waite Centennial Edition | A vintage look with the standard system | Classic, vintage | Budget to mid | Check price |
| Modern Witch Tarot | A modern, diverse, comic-style look | Modern | Budget to mid | Check price |
| The Light Seer's Tarot | A colourful, inclusive deck for intuitive readers | Modern, vivid | Mid | Check price |
Prices change often, so we do not list them. Click through to see the current price and edition. “Budget” and “mid” are rough bands, not quotes.
How to choose your first tarot deck
You do not need the “perfect” deck. You need one you can learn from and enjoy looking at. These four things matter most.
Imagery you can read
Beginners learn faster from decks that show a scene on every card, including the number cards (the Minor Arcana from Ace to 10). A picture of a person doing something gives you something to describe. A card with only five cups drawn on it gives you very little.
Standard 78-card structure
A standard deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana in four suits. If a deck follows this structure, any beginner book will work with it. Learn more in our guide to how many cards are in a tarot deck.
Card size and quality
Standard cards are about the size of a large playing card, which suits most hands. Larger cards look great but are hard to shuffle. Thin card feels flimsy, while very thick card can be stiff. Mini and pocket editions are easy to carry but the pictures are smaller.
Budget
A first deck does not need to be expensive. A standard Rider-Waite deck is typically one of the lower-priced options, and many modern decks sit a little higher. Prices change by edition and seller, so check before you buy.
Rider-Waite-Smith: the standard beginner deck
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck, first published in 1909, is the deck most tarot books, courses and websites teach with. Pamela Colman Smith painted the images under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite. It was the first widely used deck to show a scene on all 78 cards, which is why beginners still start with it.
Which edition to buy
Many publishers print versions of this deck, and the pictures are the same in all of them. The differences are colour, card stock, size and box:
- Standard Rider-Waite: the classic look and the safest budget choice.
- Radiant Rider-Waite: brighter, recoloured art, easier to see at a glance.
- Smith-Waite Centennial: muted colours closer to the original.
Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith for Arthur Edward Waite; first published in 1909.
Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot
A brighter, recoloured edition of the same Rider-Waite-Smith art.
Smith-Waite Centennial Edition
A 2009 edition made to look closer to the original 1909 artwork.
Who it is best for
Anyone who wants to learn tarot from books, courses or our own tarot for beginners guide. If you only buy one deck, make it an RWS deck or one built on the same system.
Modern decks beginners like
Modern artists have reimagined the RWS system with new art and more diverse characters. Because they keep the same structure and meanings, you can still use standard beginner books.
Illustrated modern decks
Modern Witch Tarot
Illustrated by Lisa Sterle; follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure.
The Light Seer's Tarot
Created by Chris-Anne; follows the Rider-Waite-Smith structure.
Black and dark-themed decks
Black-border and dark-art decks are popular, and the colour theme does not change the meanings. For a first deck, check that the number cards still show a scene and that the pictures are clear on a dark background. If the cards are hard to read, choose a lighter deck for learning.
Mini and travel decks
Mini and pocket editions of RWS decks are good for travel and for gifts. They are easy to shuffle with small hands, but the pictures are smaller, so they may be better as a second deck.
Decks that suit a later stage
Once you know the basics, you may want to explore other traditions. The Thoth deck (Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris) is rich in symbolism and uses a different system, so it suits readers who already know the basics. The Marseille deck has plainer number cards and is a favourite of readers who like to work from pattern and intuition. See our Rider-Waite vs Thoth vs Marseille comparison for the details.
Tarot or oracle: which should you start with?
Start with tarot if you want a system to learn, with 78 cards that connect to each other. Choose an oracle deck if you want simple messages without a structure. Read our tarot vs oracle cards guide, or see our best oracle cards picks.
Before you buy: a quick checklist
- Edition: is it a full 78-card deck with scenes on every card?
- Size: are the cards comfortable to shuffle?
- Booklet: does it come with a guidebook, or will you buy a book separately? See our best tarot books.
- Seller: buy from a trusted seller and check the reviews for print quality.
- Return policy: check you can return it if the cards are damaged.
Affiliate note: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which decks we include.
Best tarot decks FAQ
What is the best tarot deck for a beginner?
A deck based on the Rider-Waite-Smith system is the safest first choice, because most books and online lessons use it. The standard Rider-Waite deck, a recoloured edition or a modern deck that follows the same system are all good options.
Do I need to be gifted my first tarot deck?
No. Some people like the tradition, but it is not a rule. You can buy your own deck, and choosing one you like is a good way to start.
Can I use any deck to learn tarot?
Mostly yes, but decks whose number cards show only symbols are harder to learn from. For your first deck, choose one that follows the standard 78-card Rider-Waite-Smith structure with a picture on every card.
How much should I spend on a first deck?
You do not need to spend much. A standard printing of the Rider-Waite deck is usually one of the cheaper options. Prices vary by edition and seller, so check the current price before you buy.
Rider-Waite or Thoth: which is better for beginners?
Rider-Waite-Smith. Its scenes make the cards easier to read, and most beginner books use it. The Thoth deck has a different system and heavy symbolism, so it suits readers who already know the basics.
Should I start with a tarot deck or an oracle deck?
Start with tarot if you want a structured system to learn. Oracle decks have no fixed structure and are more about the messages on each card. You can enjoy both later.
What size tarot deck is best?
Standard-size cards suit most people, but large cards can be hard to shuffle, especially with small hands. Mini and pocket editions are easy to carry and easy to shuffle, though the pictures are smaller.
Are modern tarot decks good for beginners?
Yes, if they follow the standard 78-card structure and show a scene on every card. Some art-led decks change the structure or leave number cards abstract, which makes them harder to learn from.
Keep exploring
- Learn the system: tarot for beginners guide
- All 22 Major Arcana: tarot card meanings
- Free yes or no tarot reading
Tarot is a tool for reflection and entertainment. It cannot predict the future and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice.