The hardest part of choosing your first tarot deck isn’t finding one you like — it’s narrowing it down when there are thousands of options. Here’s how to think about it, and which decks consistently work well for beginners.
What makes a deck good for beginners
The Rider-Waite-Smith tradition. Most tarot books, courses, and learning resources are built around RWS symbolism. A deck that follows this tradition (or is closely based on it) means everything you learn applies directly to the cards in your hand. Illustrated pip cards — each of the 56 Minor Arcana cards should have a scene, not just symbols. This makes interpretation far more intuitive when you’re learning.
The top recommendations
Rider-Waite-Smith (Original) — The gold standard. Every symbol, color, and scene has been analyzed for over a century. Unlimited learning resources exist. The art is dated to modern eyes, but nothing beats it as a learning tool. If you want one deck that will never limit your growth as a reader, this is it.
The Modern Witch Tarot — A faithful RWS reimagining with diverse, modern figures. Keeps all the original symbolism while feeling contemporary. An excellent choice if the original RWS art feels inaccessible.
The Classic Tarot (Lo Scarabeo) — Clean, clear RWS-based illustrations. Easy to read intuitively. Often available at a lower price point.
The Everyday Tarot — A simplified, illustration-forward deck based on RWS. Good for intuitive readers who want clean imagery without dense symbolic detail.
The Radiant Rider-Waite — The original RWS with updated, brighter coloring. Same symbolism, more accessible visually.
What to avoid as a beginner
Non-RWS decks with entirely new systems (like Thoth tarot) before learning the basics. Decks with pip-only Minor Arcana (no illustrated scenes). Oracle decks, which are a completely different system. Decks chosen purely on aesthetics without checking if they’re RWS-based.
Frequently asked questions
The tradition that your first deck must be a gift is exactly that — tradition. Buy the deck that resonates with you. The deck works because you work with it.
The art style is from 1909, but the symbolism is unmatched. If the art genuinely bothers you, the Modern Witch Tarot is a direct update. But don’t dismiss the original just because it’s old.
A standard RWS or RWS-based deck runs $20–35. No need to spend more as a beginner. Spend more once you know what you’re looking for.
Want a structured course? Read Tarot With Confidence is the Learn Tarot Daily self-study course: six modules plus worksheets, $29.
Free kit: get the Love Tarot Spread Kit (7 spreads for love, dating, and relationships).