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Which deck should you buy?
Choosing between Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) and Tarot de Marseille (TdM)? Use this side-by-side to decide which system fits your practice—then buy the matching New Choice Tarot deck.
| Aspect | Rider–Waite–Smith | Tarot de Marseille |
|---|---|---|
| Visual system | Fully illustrated scenes on every card, including the pip Minors. | Classical Majors and courts; pip Minors use suit symbols in structured layouts. |
| Learning feel | Intuitive for many beginners—scenes suggest a story at a glance. | Rewards study of structure, number, and suit; deep traditional lineage. |
| Best if you want… | Familiar RWS storytelling, modern queer-friendly scenes, and a long guidebook. | Classical European tarot, pip reading, gilded TdM art, and flower symbolism. |
| Our deck to buy | The New Voice Tarot — fashion-inspired, queer-friendly, 120-page guidebook. | New Choice Tarot de Marseille (3rd ed.) — metallic magenta gilded, flower language, 80-page guidebook. |
| Guidebook focus | Card-by-card meanings, spreads, and a contemporary reading intro. | TdM card-by-card meanings, unique flower symbolism on each Minor, spreads and a contemporary reading intro. |
| Edition notes | 1000 numbered copies, holographic gilding, holographic box, studio-fulfilled 78-card set with inclusive, scene-based art. | 500 numbered copies, magenta gilding, holographic box, signed certificate, studio-fulfilled 78-card set with modern classic-inspired style. |
Most modern decks you see online descend from the Rider–Waite–Smith tradition: each Minor Arcana card carries a full scene, not just suit symbols. That makes RWS-style decks approachable if you read by image, narrative, or body language on the card.
The New Voice Tarot keeps that scene-based language while updating fashion, place, and queer representation—so the stories on the table feel current without abandoning the system many readers already know.
Tarot de Marseille is an older European visual system. Majors and court cards carry distinctive figures; the pip Minors ask you to work with number, suit, and pattern. Readers who love structure, history, and layered symbolism often prefer TdM once they settle into it.
New Choice Tarot de Marseille preserves classical TdM structure with hand-painted watercolour, magenta gilding, and flower motifs explained in the guidebook—so tradition and contemporary art share the same deck.
Start with RWS-style if you want illustrated stories on every card and a familiar learning curve from apps, books, or social media. Once you have The New Voice Tarot, how to read it walks through inclusive Rider–Waite symbolism. Start with TdM if you are drawn to classical European tarot, pip reading, and a deck that rewards slow study.
Neither system is “more correct.” Pick the lineage that matches how you want to practice—or begin with a guidebook-first set from our beginner decks collection. If inclusive representation is your priority across either system, see our best LGBTQ+ & queer tarot decks guide or the queer & LGBTQ+ tarot collection.
Buy a Rider–Waite–Smith–style deck like The New Voice Tarot if you want illustrated scenes on every card and a familiar learning curve. Buy a Tarot de Marseille deck like New Choice Tarot de Marseille if you prefer classical European structure, pip Minors, and layered symbolism.
Many beginners find RWS-style decks easier at first because every Minor Arcana card shows a full scene. Marseille rewards a little more study of number and suit, but both systems work with a solid guidebook—both of our decks include one.
Yes. The New Voice Tarot follows the Rider–Waite–Smith tradition; New Choice Tarot de Marseille follows classical TdM. Both ship from our studio with guidebooks included.
Ready to buy? Both decks are by Rosario Salerno and ship from our studio. Open the product page for the system you chose—or compare them side by side in the deck collection.
Want the creator context? Read our story.