Rider Waite Tarot Pocket - the original in pocket size
Most tarot decks are derived from this one. The Rider-Waite has been the standard since 1909, the deck against which others are measured. This pocket edition is a direct reproduction of Pamela Colman Smith's original illustrations, published by U.S. Games Systems.
The format is 57 x 89 mm. That is roughly half the size of a standard tarot card. The cards are sturdy enough for daily use, small enough to slip into a coat pocket.
What you see on the cards
All 78 cards contain a full scene. That includes the Minor Arcana. Where older decks showed only symbols (for example, five swords on a blank background), Smith drew a story: a figure walking away from three swords, two lying on the ground.
That choice has made learning tarot accessible for generations of readers. You do not need to study a system of numbers and elements first. You look at what is happening and draw your conclusions.
The colours are clear. Yellow dominates the Wands, blue the Cups, grey the Swords, green the Pentacles. The Major Arcana uses the full palette.
What this format means in practice
You shuffle a pocket deck differently. It fits more easily in smaller hands. It takes up less space on a table. It travels in a backpack without the corners getting damaged.
If you are used to large cards, the size takes some adjustment. The details are still sharp, but you need to look a bit closer at the card. For some readers that is actually helpful: it forces you to stay focused.
Many travellers choose this format because it fits anywhere. Draw a card at breakfast, keep it in your pocket for the rest of the day.
About Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite
Pamela Colman Smith drew all 78 cards in 1909, commissioned by Arthur Edward Waite. Smith was an illustrator, theatre designer and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Her style is flat and decorative, influenced by Japanese prints and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Waite wrote the symbolic instructions. He wanted a deck that was both esoteric and usable. Smith translated those instructions into images that have since been copied, redrawn and reinterpreted countless times.
Despite the enormous influence of her work, Smith was barely paid for the illustrations during her lifetime. It was only decades later that she received recognition as the artist behind the most widely used tarot deck in the world.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78
- Card dimensions: 57 x 89 mm
- Language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Card quality: sturdy, durable cardstock
- Guidebook: included, with basic meanings and spreads (including the Celtic Cross)
- Artist: Pamela Colman Smith
- Author: Arthur Edward Waite
Questions we often get
Is this really the original Rider-Waite deck?
Yes. This is the official edition from U.S. Games Systems, the publisher that manages the rights. The colours and image quality match the standard edition.
Are the cards not too small to read comfortably?
That depends on what you are used to. The details are sharp enough to remain clearly legible. Many readers with smaller hands or limited table space actually prefer this format. Try shuffling a few times and you will adjust.
