Portfolio52 Deck of the Year 2023

[manu]

Voting is now open: https://www.portfolio52.com/DOTY-2023

Nominees:

Best Tuck:

• 17th Kingdom Avant Garde by Stockholm17

• Legionary - Dusk by Black Ink Branded

• Nazo Nazo - Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Palmistry - Golden Ivory by Chamber of Wonder

• Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmies Dream

• The Elves by FRIS Cards

• The Golden Rule by Oath Playing Cards

• The Successor - Dynastinae Rex by TGW & Kevin Cantrell

• Under The Moon by Jocu

• Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Edition by Theory11

Best Back Design:

• 52 Plus Joker 2023 Club Deck by 52 Plus Joker / Brendan Hong

• Cross Playing Cards by Riffle Shuffle / Peter Voth

• Flea Circus by Art of Play / Jeff Trish

• Legionary by Black Ink Branded

• Nazo Nazo - Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Successor Dynastinae Rex

• The Golden Rule by Oath Playing Cards

• The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project

• Tulip by About Cardistry

• Under The Moon by Jocu

Best Innovative Design:

• Damokles Ruinae by Thirdway Industries

• Fantasma by Thirdway Industries

• Fried Chicken by MPC

• Holy by Missing New York

• Nazo Nazo - Tatami Room Puzzle Deck by Jack Brutus Penny

• Orbit Chroma Key by The Orbit Brown / Daniel Schneider

• Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmies Dream The Cat

• Santa's Sleigh Ride (Animated Deck) by Penguin Magic / Felipe Garcia Cardenas

• Two Tone Normal by Lotus In Hand

• Zine Deck II by Shybrains

Best Ace:

• Artist by Captan Cards Co.

• Cross Playing Cards by Riffle Shuffle / Peter Voth

• House of Seven Gables by Isolated Thunderstorm

• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project

• Nazo Nazo Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Palmistry by Chamber of Wonders

• Sembras by Theory11

• Sisterhood by Sisterhood Playing Cards / Brendan Hong

• Successor: Dynastinae Rex by TGW & Kevin Cantrell
  

• Under The Moon by Jocu

Best Court Card:

• Cross Playing Cards by Riffle Shuffle / Peter Voth

• Genoese Tarot by Elettra

• Legionary by Black Ink Branded

• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project

• Moon 65 by Leo Scherfig

• Monolith Zodiac - Prime by Thirdway Industries

• The Dark Continent by Chaka

• The Elves by FRIS Cards

• The Golden Rule by Oath Playing Cards

• Under The Moon by Jocu

Best Joker:

• Bicycle California by Socal Playing Cards

• Botanica by Curio Playing Cards / Amal Nur Karim

• Cross by Riffle Shuffle / Peter Voth

• Monolith Zodiac Prime by Thirdway Industries

• Nazo Nazo Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Palmistry by Chamber of Wonders

• Sardines Playing Cards in Tomato Sauce by Squiddle Ink

• Sembras by Theory11

• The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project
  

• Under The Moon by Jocu

Best Custom Pips:

• Cursed & Crooked by Isolated Thunderstorm

• Ravens of Odin by Charmies Dream The Cat

• Under The Moon by Jocu

• Matrix Edition 1 by Luke Wadey

• Sardines Playing Cards in Tomato Sauce by Squiddle Ink

• Palm Isle Playing Cards by Pocket Aces

• Botanica by Curio Playing Cards / Amal Nur Karim

• The Cross by Peter Voth

• Artist by Captan Cards Co.

• The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project

Best Fan:

• 17th Kingdom - Avant Garde by Stockholm17

• Butterfly Workers by Butterfly Playing Cards

• Dondorf Four Continents by Azured Ox

• Lighthouse Beacon by Emily Sleights52

• Neon Rider Back by Card Addiction

• Overbite by Kings Wild Project

• Owl v2 (Castle Back) by Yasuyuki Honne

• Nazo Nazo Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Wild Garden by Rcards

• Yosegi by Dan and Dave Buck

Best of the Extras:

• Botanica & Verdana Hand-made Deck Sleev ... ying Cards

• Bicycle Funky Flowers Guitar Pick by Yasuyuki Honne

• Ravens of Odin Midgard Box by Charmie Dreams the Cat

• Cold Case Evidence Bag by Emily Sleights 52

• Silk Paper Cut Laser-Cut Collector's Box by ARK

• Nazo Nazo Puzzle Box by Jack Brutus Penny

• Genoese Tarot Magnetic Bookmark by Elettra

• Orchestra Sheet Music Cards by Dario G ... le Shuffle

• Under The Moon Art Booklet by Jocu

• Sisterhood Survey Statistics & Guide b ... ying Cards

Best Cardistry Deck:

• ARW V3 by Luke Wadey

• Descendents by Elijah Myers

• Fontaine Collage by Fontaine x Missing New York

• Holy by Missing New York

• Nebula Holographic by Emily Sleights52

• Orbit Chroma Key by The Orbit Brown / Daniel Schneider

• Sculpt Holo by Ellusionist

• Suzy Accordion by Goos

• Two Tone Normal by Lotus In Hand

• Virtuoso Moments (Open Court I) by Virtuoso

Best Magic Deck:

• Apollo Clover Back by Revival Design Co.

• Bee x Cherry Casino

• Bicycle x Butterfly Marked Deck by Butterfly Playing Cards

• Bonfire Pasteboards by Vulpine Creations

• Elysian Duet by Phill Smith

• Harapan Magic by Harapan Ong

• In Session: Junior Year by Danny Carey

• Innocence Holographic by Black Roses Playing Cards

• Royal Anchors by False Anchors

• Sisterhood by Sisterhood Playing Cards

Rookie of the Year:

• Akita by Blue Moon Co.

• Artist by Captan Cards Co.

• Good Pals Chancers by The Card Inn

• Imported by A.Haines Playing Cards

• Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb by Room One

• Shakespeare by Trident Playing Cards

• Sisterhood by Sisterhood Playing Cards/Kaitlyn Capithorne

• The Dark Continent by Chaka

• The Elves by FRIS Cards

• Therian by Pavel Popov

Deck of the Year:

• 17th Kingdom Avant Garde by Stockholm17

• 52 Plus Joker 2023 Club Deck by 52+J / Brendan Hong

• Cross Playing Cards by Riffle Shuffle / Peter Voth

• Legionary Day by Black Ink Branded

• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by Kings Wild Project

• Monolith Zodiac Prime by Thirdway Industries

• Nazo Nazo Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny

• Successor: Dynastinae Rex by TGW & Kevin Cantrell

• The Golden Rule by Oath Playing Cards

• Under The Moon by Jocu

[Strag]

"As the longest-running international playing card awards event of its kind, the DOTYs are highly regarded within the industry in honouring artistic & technical merit by awarding the most talented designers, passionate producers & diligent manufacturers as chosen by you."

Wait what? I mean I suppose in name only. However these were created and founded by the UC community, which then got summarily taken away from us. Calling it the longest-running when it's nowhere near the same process as it used to be nor involving the same people? I don't get it at all.

As last year, I won't be participating. I have no idea who is involved or where these nominations came from. How do we know hoe the voting is being controlled (what is stopping ballot stuffing)?

I did a quick google and found that apparently noms were opened on Insta about 4 weeks ago? Not a single post here?

Ever since the "Deckin' Around" debacle I haven't felt the same about these awards. This year is no different.

[manu]

I was wondering how the nominees were chosen. I follow P52 on instagram but I must have missed it. It's a shame Sardines by Squiddle Ink isn't in the Best Tuck category—one of my favorites of the year.

[Strag]

Yep that's why I think it's weird. Why post it on Insta, but NOT on the forum where the community that actually came up with the idea resides? Quite honestly I'm extremely disappointed.

At some point is this forum just going to die because Alex doesn't care any more?

[Strag]

BTW: had to go back and do a search, here's the original voting thread from 2012: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1005&start=1

Now I'm even more sad that we weren't even consulted, much less involved at all.

[Timmargh]

No 17th kingdom in "Best Innovative Design?"

[Adamthinks]

I follow P52 on Instagram and I didn't see the nominations either. I voted, but some of the nominations are a bit bizarre IMO. At least there's voting this year. Last year it was decided by an anonymous panel.

[th4mo]

No 17th kingdom in "Best Innovative Design?"

Meh. 17th Kingdom is soooooo 2022! /sarcasm

[Honeybee]

Yep that's why I think it's weird. Why post it on Insta, but NOT on the forum where the community that actually came up with the idea resides? Quite honestly I'm extremely disappointed.

At some point is this forum just going to die because Alex doesn't care any more?

Rightio, to get a newb up to speed - Alex is Alexander Chin?

And P52 and United Cardists are both owned by him?

[Bradius]

Yep that's why I think it's weird. Why post it on Insta, but NOT on the forum where the community that actually came up with the idea resides? Quite honestly I'm extremely disappointed.

At some point is this forum just going to die because Alex doesn't care any more?

Rightio, to get a newb up to speed - Alex is Alexander Chin?

And P52 and United Cardists are both owned by him?

Yes and Yes.

[Strag]

Yep that's why I think it's weird. Why post it on Insta, but NOT on the forum where the community that actually came up with the idea resides? Quite honestly I'm extremely disappointed.

At some point is this forum just going to die because Alex doesn't care any more?

Rightio, to get a newb up to speed - Alex is Alexander Chin?

And P52 and United Cardists are both owned by him?

To clarify, Alex only recently bought this forum. It's changed hands a few times over the years. DOTY was founded by the community here under different ownership. When Alex purchased the site it was unilaterally decided to change the process mid-stream and for the DOTYs (and also the UC annual deck) to now be under the banner of Portfolio 52.

Well I think that's fine and certainly it's Alex's perrogative on how he wants to use the UC brand, after all he bought it. However taking the DOTYs which were orginated by and sponsored by the community and instead give it to Portfolio 52, Deckin' Around and all the changes the last couple years, well that stinks in my eyes.

If he wanted to create a P52 version of awards that's perfectly fine. But to claim it's "the longest-running international playing card awards event of its kind" well that's factually untrue. The original UC DOTY is no more, and hasn't been for a couple years. Nominations were done by the community here. Prizes were donated by the community here. The awards were announced by the community here. This year (and last) we were basically shut out of the entire process.

Yeah I'm being pedantic and a bit "get off my lawn" but facts are facts.

[hsbc]

And P52 and United Cardists are both owned by him?

See this thread too: https://www.unitedcardists.com/viewtopi ... 16&t=19034

[ShuffleUpandDeal]

Forget deck of the year, maybe Portfolio52 should work on making their website work, still can't search for shit.

[manu]

Results:


Best Tuck
3rd Place - Palmistry by Chamber of Wonder / Daphna Sebbane (tuck box printed by TWPCC)
2nd Place - Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmie Dreams (tuck box printed by WJPC)
1st Place - 17th Kingdom - Avant Garde by Stockholm17 (tuck box printed by Boschiero & Newton)

Best Back Design
3rd Place - Under The Moon by Jocu
2nd Place - The Golden Rule by Oath
1st Place - The Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by Kings Wild

Best Innovative Design
3rd Place - Nazo Nazo - Tatami Room by Jack Brutus Penny for its unique puzzle
2nd Place - Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmie Dreams for its 3D crystal embedded tuck
1st Place - Fantasma by Thirdway Industries for its use of invisible ink

Best Ace
3rd Place - Artist by Captan Collection
2nd Place - House of Seven Gables by Isolated Thunderstorm
1st Place - The Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by Kings Wild

Best Courts
3rd Place - Under The Moon by Jock
2nd Place - The Golden Rule by Oath
1st Place - The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers by Kings Wild

Best Joker
3rd Place - Sardines In Tomato Sauce by Squiddle Ink
2nd Place - Bicycle California (Socal v2) by SoCal & Daniel Schneider
1st Place - Cross by Riffle Shuffle & Peter Voth

Best Pips
3rd Place - Cursed & Crooked by Isolated Thunderstorm
2nd Place - Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmie Dreams
1st Place - The Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by Kings Wild

Best Fan
3rd Place - Yosegi by Art of Play
2nd Place - Nazo Nazo - Onsen by Jack Brutus Penny
1st Place - Lighthouse Beacon by Emily Sleights

Best Extras
3rd Place - Cold Case for its Evidence Bag by Emily Sleights
2nd Place - Ravens of Odin for its Midgard box complete with raven feathers by Charmie Dreams
1st Place - Botanica & Verdana for its Handmade Painted Deck Sleeve by Curio / Amal Nur Karim

Best Cardistry Deck
3rd Place - ARW v3 by Luke Wadey
2nd Place - Virtuoso Moments by The Virts
1st Place - Nebula Holo by Emily Sleights

Best Magic Deck
3rd Place - Bee x Cherry Casino by Phill Smith / Cherry Casino
2nd Place - Sisterhood by Sisterhood Playing Cards / Kaitlynn Copithorne / Brendan Hong
1st Place - Butterfly x Bicycle by Butterfly Playing Cards

Rookie Deck of the Year
3rd Place - Sisterhood by Sisterhood Playing Cards / Kaitlynn Copithorne / Brendan Hong
2nd Place - Artist by Captan Collection
1st Place - Oppenheimer by Room One

Deck of the Year
3rd Place - Under the Moon by Jocu
2nd Place - The Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by Kings Wild
1st Place - 17th Kingdom - Avant Garde by Stockholm17

[Harvonsgard]

*Two Towers by KWP - not Oath (at best courts)

[Honeybee]

Results:


Best Tuck
3rd Place - Palmistry by Chamber of Wonder / Daphna Sebbane (tuck box printed by TWPCC)
2nd Place - Ravens of Odin - Crystal of Munnin by Charmie Dreams (tuck box printed by WJPC)
1st Place - 17th Kingdom - Avant Garde by Stockholm17 (tuck box printed by Boschiero & Newton)

Best Back Design
3rd Place - Under The Moon by Jocu
2nd Place - The Golden Rule by Oath
1st Place - The Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by Kings Wild

...................

Where did you find this Manu?
I still only see the nominations/voting form on P52

[hsbc]

I still only see the nominations/voting form on P52

https://www.instagram.com/portfolio_52/

[Honeybee]

Thanks hsbc, it seems that it is compulsory to be an Instagrammer nowadays

[Honeybee]

I must be a hard taskmaster. On my collection db, I have columns where I check decks that I consider exceptional (or what I love them for) in areas such as Tucks, Backs, Courts etc etc.
I have several Golden Oath but they didn't even receive a check for Backs
(I agree with Harv - you have to have them for best courts)

I am guessing that they feel compelled to have 10 finalist in every category for there are a couple of Fans finalists that are no better than Standard Bikes

Surprising this thread has not produced more discussion

[Strag]

Surprising this thread has not produced more discussion

What's the point to discuss something that we as a community had zero involvement in this year?

The awards were taken from this community and not even an acknowledgement was given on the page that claims it to be the longest running playing card award event of its kind.

The ‘Deck of the Year’ Awards, or more popularly known as ‘The DOTYs’, is an annual event in which the community comes together from every corner of the web to celebrate the hobby of playing cards by recognising all the amazing decks to have been released over the past year. As the longest-running international playing card awards event of its kind, the DOTYs are highly regarded within the industry in honouring artistic & technical merit by awarding the most talented designers, passionate producers & diligent manufacturers as chosen by you.

[kevork]

I tend to stay away from the process as I don't find a popularity contest to equate to "best." Art is incredibly subjective and I prefer to stay in my own lane.

It is nice to see what some of the popular decks of the year are in each category though, to see if there's ones I might be interested in acquiring. Plus the community benefits from such events, giveaways, etc. to celebrate and engage not only the members of the community, but also the designers/producers.

[Honeybee]

Surprising this thread has not produced more discussion

What's the point to discuss something that we as a community had zero involvement in this year?

It is an opinion (like just about every other post on here)
It is an opinion on something that we are all passionate about

I have zero involvement in the Superbowl but that does not stop me from discussing who I think was the better team this year

[rousselle]

It's possible there wasn't very much discussion here because Alex didn't even drop by here to mention that voting was open. I'm sure someone else probably did, but I know *I* missed any opportunity to nominate or vote, so there wasn't really much to discuss. For me. YMMV. I agree with your analogy about the Super Bowl; you don't have to be in it to enjoy it. But in this case, the game was long over by the time I even found out it had come and gone. >shrug<

[Honeybee]

I suppose it is just me being a scourer - I often go back over things to make sure I have not missed something (good).
After my initial catching up/purchasing everything I could still find a couple of years ago when I began collecting, I still find that I am attracted to and purchasing more slightly older releases than new releases

[kevork]

I suppose it is just me being a scourer - I often go back over things to make sure I have not missed something (good).
After my initial catching up/purchasing everything I could still find a couple of years ago when I began collecting, I still find that I am attracted to and purchasing more slightly older releases than new releases

If you look at the back catalog of playing cards, there's plenty of awesomeness created just in the last 10 years. Having joined the community in 2022, it's been awesome exploring all that is out there. Scouring is part of the fun, in my opinion. Necessary, even, depending on the deck you're looking for.

[Harvonsgard]

Surprising this thread has not produced more discussion

I did participate prior because it was an UC thing but I'm not going out of my way to move to P52 (which I consider dead anyways) to make some votes. Kevork summed up my thoughts about it pretty spot on. Not much to talk about a popularity contest for me.

[Honeybee]

I take everyone's point
I do feel that every non athletic contest is a popularity contest - whether it has a 'panel of experts' or even a single judge, they may provide reasons for their judgement but they are still an explanation of why they are popular with them