Jocu Playing Cards is a newly established playing cards brand series originating in Italy. It is leaded by producer Anthony Holt, and Sicilian artist Alessandra Gaggliano. All the cards so far have been printed by Cartamundi on B9 True Linen Finish of Slimline Stock, ever since the thicker stock is discontinued due to the company producing it went to bankruptcy. All the tuckboxes for their cards are produced by Italian printing company named Boschiero & Newton. Most of the themes for Jocu Playing Cards are mostly fantasy, exploring the myths, culture, and legends. It's a mixture between decks that shows beautiful artworks to be appreciated and the stories within it to be learned.
Inner Circle - Jocu Subscription
Jocu offers a subscription service, which allows members to get huge discount on their store, getting insights on new decks productions, eligible for extra options during the Kickstarter campaign period, and most importantly, getting decks which are exclusive to the members of the Inner Circle. The subscription service was established in February 2021. There is a forum specifically made for the Inner Circle members, where you can see all the Behind the Scenes of every decks produced by Jocu, upcoming plans for deck releases, and other topics are welcomed within. You get to listen to the stories of some decks as well!
Series w/ Description
- Fillide - Inspired by the Sicilian folk legend of the origins of the almond tree, Fillide tell a timeless tale of magic and heartbreak passed down for centuries. It explores the rich history and culture of the small island of Sicily. The design is mainly based on the beauty of an almond tree and relation to the legend of Fillide. The court cards feature a mix of Green and Roman characters. The Aces retell the story of Fillide and Amacante. The Jokers feature Trinacria, the earliest known name for Sicily. The deck comes in two versions: Acqua (blue) and Terra (brown). In 2022, Jocu revisited this series for a new remodeling of the decks: updated artwork and connecting tuckboxes! - called "In-Bloom" edition; also with a new colorway to accompany the standard set, called Aria.
- The Green Man - Based on the mysterious figure known as The Green Man, the deck series explores the legend behind this iconic figure that frequently appears in Catholic churches and pagan monuments. The Green Man is a mysterious man built of leaves and branches, an embodiment and overseer of nature. It is said he watches over the forests and protected them. The Aces explores the difference faces of the Green Man, along with the associated Alchemical four elements. The courts feature characters related to the lore: The Kings are the lords of the forests; The Queens are the lady of the forests; while the Jacks are those who fall victim to be cursed to roam in the forests OR those heroes who lost their lives in nature. The Jokers feature small creatures that might be aided the Green Man or just troublemakers. The Numbered cards featured plants that are said to have magical properties according to myths, and each Numbered card have one pip featuring a plant. The deck originally comes in two versions: Spring (green) and Autumn (copper). Later, the series adds an extra version, Winter (snow blue), with a new color scheme and artwork on the back design, with modified courts that resembles plants condition under cold climates and pips that has an icicle. Later, there will be a final edition: Summer (teal), complete the circle of the four seasons - the color scheme and artwork on the back design are updated to this new edition, plus the courts, jokers, and aces will feature all new characters, showing the blossoming plants of this season. By 2024, this series will be remastered: each season will feature its own set of characters totaling up to 48 characters plus 8 jokers with revamped tuck box designs.
- Hops & Barley - Classic custom playing cards that inspired by the ancient ways of beer making. The series revolves around the types of beer and the process of making them. The courts are standard, only it is modified based on the artist's impression - creating Jocu's standard courts. The Aces are different in each edition, as it is based on the name of the edition. The tuckboxes are made from recycled beer mats, making the decks having the essence of the theme. The decks comes in three editions: Pale Gold Pilsner (yellow); Deep Amber Ale (dark brown); and Brewer's Reserve (black and copper). For Inner Circle members, there is an extra edition: Brewmaster (white and copper), gilded cards from Brewer's Reserve tucked inside white and copper foiled tuckbox packaged inside a wooden box filled with hay [not actual hay]. In 2022, there is an extra edition: Belgian Blonde, a deck with a pale eggshell white tuckbox with gold metallic color back.
- DRAM - The sister series of Hops & Barley, it celebrates the whisky-making process and the history of the Scotch dram. More info coming soon.
- Onda - Inspired by the mysterious world of the sea, Onda explores the beauty of the deep sea life and exploring it's mythical properties. The courts are illustrated to form characters that resembles characteristics needed to survive living in the depths of the sea. They are formed with a combination of sea creatures and sea corals, each with their respective components, making the sea creatures as their personas. There are two different back design, one is a two-way design of a beautifully drawn fish with wave patterns, and the other is a splash of wave pattern which is great for cardistry visual appeals. The deck comes in two editions: Ultramarine (dark blue with blue foil) and Wave (white with turquoise foil). In Kickstarter campaign, backers are eligible to obtained KS exclusive editions: Gold Ultramarine (gold foil on Ultramarine) and Silver Wave (silver foil on Wave) - both with numbered small seal placed on the side of the opening and tuckbox change. Later, another edition is added: Aquamarine (light blue with copper). In 2022, there is a special edition only available in 75 decks: Ultramarine Boschiero, which has the same card as the standard edition, but with a tuckbox with red and gold foiling, and the cards will be red metallic gilded. Plus, the deck will be signed by Anthony and Alessandra along with Paul Boschiero. In 2023, the Aquamarine edition is gilded with copper foil, only 100 decks made. Second edition of this series comes with new color schemes and most prominently, the new set of characters with new selection of marine lifes: Tropical Yellow - Deep Purple - Wave V2 - Black Abyss - Red Coral. Red Coral and Black Abyss decks have the gilded variants. Also introduced is an extra colorway for V1 - Azure Blue
- Heritage - This series is meant to be the brand's flagship deck of playing cards. It revolves around the exploration of the playing cards history, especially how the suits came to be the ones we known today. The courts are tailored based on the respective elements and legacy suits: Spades to embodies Air and previously was Swords; Hearts to embodies Water and previously was Cups; Clubs to embodies Fire and previously was Wands; and Diamonds to embodies Earth and previously was Coins. With that, the series has four edition, each represents a suit with their respective elements and legacy suits: Spades (black) - Hearts (blue) - Clubs (red) - Diamonds (green). The set has either two versions: one is simpler quarter brick box with foiling artworks, the other is fancier wooden box. The decks may also available in gilded, numbered, and sealed - for the Kickstarter backers and/or members of Inner Circle.
- Inner Circle - Decks commisioned by XXXXXXX as the classic deck for the members of the elusive 'Inner Circle'. The deck only be obtainable if you are a member of the club. It's a standard classic deck, with most of the elements are borrowed from the 'Heritage' series - you can find the courts of respective suits holding up items that used to be the predecessor of the modern suits. It is just available as STANDARD and GILDED (gold foil edge).
- Essentials - A deck series meant to be heavily focused on cardistry. It takes a reference on fragrance and perfumes, and most prominently, the tuckboxes are said to be made from recycled materials, and it's made from the flowers based on each edition in this series. Initially created from the support of Inner Circle club, these decks are available to public. The gilded editions will remain as exclusive decks for Inner Circle. These Essentials are available in these flowers: Lavender - Calendula
- CULT - A series revolves around the mystical world of alchemy, the ancient science during the Dark Ages. The series tells a story of a dystopian world where the four elements: Fire - Water - Earth - Air; are worshipped and the mythological animals that we knew are worshipped as deities. Each edition in the deck would feature each of the Four elements: Fire - Air - Earth - Water [so presumably it would be a four-decks series]. This series is exclusive to Inner Circle members. The first deck in the series is AIR. Second deck in the series is EARTH. Third deck in the series is WATER. Fourth and last deck in the series is FIRE. The tuckbox for the series are made with premium matte stock with metallic foilings on the details. There is a corner sleeve on the bottom, and a ribbon is attached on it - wrapping from the back to the front, to keep the deck closed. To add up the beaty, a wax seal is stamped on the front, bearing the achemical symbol of respective element. The cards will be gilded. Only 1000 decks made for each element. The color of the wax stamps varies on what number you get: 1-200 will be the very exclusive color, the rests are in default color. Eventually, there are the "naked" version of the series, which is only the tuckbox without sleeve, no seal, and no gilding - these decks are meant to be opened so you can enjoy the artworks and prevent you from opening the main decks.
- INVERNO - The continuation of the acclaimed Inner Circle "CULT" series. It tells a story of both Winston and Nova's adventures after their encountered with the four elemental tribes, learning of the big danger that is coming. It will be a two-deck series, featuring the "Day" and "Night" - showing the cute arctic foxes. There is the Collection's Set, which features two connecting artwork tuckboxes made in premium pearlescent stock with silver foils on the snowflakes - the decks will be displayed inside custom acrylic carat case with custom engraved lid - only 300 sets are made. These four decks are Inner Circle exclusives.
- Pagan Festivals - The series explores Pagan holidays that are still celebrated in certain regions in Europe. These festivals are happening every year, and in a cycle known as the Wheel of the Year [The cycle is like this: Imbolc > Ostara > Belthane > Litha > Lughnasadh > Mabon > Samhain > Yule]. It will have a total of eight decks in the series, whereas two editions released in every Kickstarter campaign. This series marks the first collaboration of Jocu with the other artist - the artist assigned for this series is Evgenia Zhade, the creator of Dark Kingdom and House Playing Cards. The first wave is both Beltane (green) and Lughnasadh (yellow). The second wave is both Samhain (purple) and Imbolc (warm grey). The third wave is both Yule (cool grey) and Ostara. The fourth and final wave is both Mabon (???) and Litha (???). More decks are to be released soon, and LIVE according to the timing and duration of the Pagan festivals. The tuckbox for the series is made of premium matte paper with metallic foiling on the details. The artworks on the tuckbox follows a certain template, with the back design placed according to each celebration and the symbols are also changed accordingly to the editions. The left side shows the period of the celebration, while the right side shows a fragmented artwork - gathered all of the decks in line (once everything finished) and an artwork will be formed - there will be a display box available to storage and display the deck series.
- Under the Moon - The series involves around exploring the folklore and mythology of the animal kingdom. In ancient times, people believed that these animals have mystical abilities and astonishing traits - like how squirrels could predict the weather and can shade themselves. Many of these animals featured in ancient tales and were assigned human traits such as cunning or loyalty, and some are given abilities such as speech - just like in Aesop's Fables. There are 3 main editions for the series: Midnight - Moorland - Moonrise. Each of the edition will feature it's own set of court cards, thus there are a total of 36 animals to be seen and explored in this series. In Kickstarter campaign, backers are eligible for the exclusive set of gilded decks [the cards will be gilded with metallic foil based on the editions] along with custom tuckboxes that will create a TRIPTYCH image - available in Gold & Silver variant (for backers in KS) and Holo & Copper variant (for Inner Circle members)
Total Decks: 70 (16)
Decks listed with a single star are KS Exclusives. Decks listed with double stars are Inner Circle Exclusives. There are notes that you should read as well (if applicable).
2019
Fillide Acqua
Fillide Terra
The Green Man Spring
The Green Man Autumn
2020
Hops & Barley Pale Gold Pilsner
Hops & Barley Deep Amber Ale
Hops & Barley Brewer's Reserve
Onda Ultramarine
Onda Wave
[*] Onda Gold Ultramarine
[*] Onda Silver Wave
[*] Hops & Barley Brewmaster
Onda Aquamarine
The Green Man Winter
2021
Heritage Spades
Heritage Hearts
Heritage Clubs
Heritage Diamonds
[*] Heritage Spades GILDED
[*] Heritage Hearts GILDED
[*] Heritage Clubs GILDED
[*] Heritage Diamonds GILDED
[*][*] CULT Air Silver SEAL
[*][*] CULT Air Blue SEAL [IC 200]
Essentials Lavender
[*][*] Essentials Lavender GILDED
[*][*] Inner Circle Club
[*][*] CULT Earth Green SEAL
[*][*] CULT Earth Copper SEAL [IC 200]
Beltane
Lughnasadh
[*][*] CULT Water Metal Gray SEAL
[*][*] CULT Water Emerald Green SEAL [IC 200]
Essentials Calendula
[*][*] Essentials Calendula GILDED
2022
Samhain
Imbolc
[*][*] Onda Ultramarine Boschiero GILDED Ruby
[*][*] Inner Circle Club GILDED
[*][*] CULT Fire Ruby Red SEAL
[*][*] CULT Fire Vermilion Orange SEAL [IC 200]
[*][*] CULT Air NAKED
[*][*] CULT Earth NAKED
[*][*] CULT Water NAKED
[*][*] CULT Fire NAKED
Hops & Barley Belgian Blonde
The Green Man Summer
[*][*] Fillide In-Bloom Acqua
[*][*] Fillide In-Bloom Acqua ALT
[*][*] Fillide In-Bloom Terra
[*][*] Fillide In-Bloom Terra ALT
Fillide Acqua V2
Fillide Terra V2
Fillide Aria
2023
Yule
Ostara
Under the Moon Midnight
Under the Moon Moorland
Under the Moon Moonrise
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Gold & Silver Midnight [Silver GILDED]
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Gold & Silver Moorland [Bronze GILDED]
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Gold & Silver Moonrise [Gold GILDED]
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Holo & Copper Midnight [Silver GILDED]
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Holo & Copper Moorland [Bronze GILDED]
[*][*] Under the Moon TRIPTYCH Holo & Copper Moonrise [Gold GILDED]
[*][*] Onda Aquamarine GILDED Copper
[*][*] INVERNO "Day" Standard
[*][*] INVERNO "Night" Standard
[*][*] INVERNO "Day" Collector's Set
[*][*] INVERNO "Night" Collector's Set
TBA
Mabon
Litha
DRAM ???
DRAM ???
Onda Tropical Yellow
Onda Deep Purple
Onda Wave V2
Onda Black Abyss
[*] Onda Black Abyss GILDED Gold
Onda Red Coral
[*][*] Onda Red Coral GILDED Ruby
Onda Azure Blue
Green Man Spring V2
Green Man Summer V2
Green Man Autumn V2
Green Man Winter V2