Arrcos are BACK!
It’s been seven years since the last reprint of the iconic Arrco Playing Cards. In May 2025, a new reprint was produced to my personal happiness, and I hope to yours too.
How is the combination of classic design and modern technology? We’ll find out in this review. Additionally, a video version of this review is now available on our YouTube channel.
Introduction and History of Arrco
The Arrco brand has been in operation since the 1920s, initially under its original name, Arrow. Its popularity reached its peak in the 1970s and 1980s, when magicians fell in love with the unique feel of their signature Arrco Playing Cards.
They were Plastic Coated and were different from other playing cards. Their main sales point was that they could be wiped with a damp cloth when they got dirty. It is also said they used to last a very long time.
At the end of the 1980s, the Arrco Playing Card Company was acquired by the United States Playing Card Company. Several reprints of their playing cards happened throughout the years, but with the specs typical for the USPC. The name “Plastic Coated” was still used to keep the tradition of the Arrco brand, but the cards had a different finish.
The last reprint was produced in 2018, with a limited run of 2.500 of each red and blue decks. This changed in May 2025.
The Tuck Box
The box is standard, with legal information and a date at the bottom, as well as text on both sides. The red decks have a blue USPC seal, and the blue decks have a red USPC seal.
Now, let’s take a look at the cards themselves.
The Cards
Each deck comes with two gaff cards: a double-backer with different-colored sides and a blank face card. Two Jokers are included as well.
The cards feature standard Arrco faces, which are standard to the Arrco brand, but look different from the ones used by the USPC. You might have seen those in Studs, Orbit Playing Cards, or in our Piña decks.
I know you’re most interested in the feel of these. I am a little biased because I love Arrcos, but these feel amazing.
They are printed on a Thin Crushed Retail stock, and they are really crushed. These are some of the thinnest cards that recently came out of the USPC.
They still have good spring and integrity. They fan effortlessly, and one thing that I love about them is that they have very smooth edges straight out of the box.
They faro easily thanks to the traditional cut. Traditional cut means the cards will faro easier from faces to backs. This is especially useful if you perform on the table.
Conclusion
With that said, this 2025 reprint is a pleasant surprise. Arrco fans have the opportunity to get new decks for an affordable price, and playing card lovers can get a classy-looking deck with a great feel.
If you’d like to give these a try, you can find them here.
We hope you enjoyed the review and that you enjoy the cards if you get them.
/Pavel, Store Manager at Butterfly Magic Store