How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck

Choosing your first tarot deck is one of those decisions that feels bigger than it is — and yet, it matters more than people think. The deck you start with shapes the way you learn to read, the symbols you internalize, and the kind of relationship you develop with the cards.

With hundreds of decks available today, it can feel overwhelming. Here is how to approach it.

Start with the art

Before anything else, trust your eyes. Tarot is a visual language, and you will be spending a lot of time with these images. Browse through the cards of a deck before you buy — most publishers show previews online. Ask yourself: does this art speak to me? Do I want to sit with these images?

There is no wrong answer. Some people are drawn to dark, moody decks. Others prefer clean, minimalist illustration. What matters is that the imagery feels alive to you.

Image by ai subarasiki from Pixabay

The Rider-Waite-Smith question

Most tarot teachers recommend starting with a Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck or a deck closely based on it. There is a good reason: the RWS system is the foundation of most modern tarot, and almost all beginner resources, books, and guides are written with it in mind. Learning on an RWS deck means every book you pick up will be relevant to what you are holding.

That said — if an RWS deck leaves you cold and a different deck makes your heart beat faster, follow that pull. Intuition is part of this practice from the very beginning.

Consider the guidebook

Many decks come with a small booklet, while others include a full guidebook. For beginners, a detailed guidebook matters — especially if you are learning without a teacher. Check what comes included, and whether the publisher sells a separate companion book.

Size and card stock

Practical things matter too. Some decks have oversized cards that are beautiful but hard to shuffle. Others have thin card stock that feels cheap after a few months. When possible, look up reviews that mention the physical quality of the deck.

You can have more than one

Finally: you are not married to your first deck. Many readers own dozens. Your first deck is just the beginning of a conversation — not a lifelong commitment. Choose something that excites you, start reading, and let your collection grow over time.