How to Choose Between Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip and Brutalist Deluxe
By DAN & DAVE: Products by Dan and Dave | Published: 2026-10-23
Category: Buying Guides
Deciding between the Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip and Brutalist Deluxe Edition? This guide breaks down their design origins, price, and collector appeal to help you pick the right deck.
Quick answer
Choose the Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip if you value a unique, artist-driven design and a lower entry price. Choose the Brutalist Deluxe Edition if you want a minimalist, architectural deck with custom face cards and are willing to invest more.
Design Philosophy: Collaboration vs. Minimalism
The Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip deck was designed by Oliver Sogard of Dealersgrip, a brand known for its refreshing, unconventional approach to playing card design. This collaboration brings a unique aesthetic that stands out from the standard Smoke & Mirrors line.
In contrast, the Brutalist Deluxe Edition strips the design back to essentials. Inspired by brutalist architecture, it features a restrained back design, completely custom face cards, and a deliberate emphasis on form, proportion, and negative space. It's a deck for those who appreciate quiet monumentality.
Price and Value
The Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip is priced at USD 12.24 (compared to USD 18.00), making it an accessible entry point for collectors or cardists on a budget. The Brutalist Deluxe Edition is USD 100.75 (compared to USD 155.00), reflecting its premium materials and limited-edition status.
If you are looking for a daily carry or a deck to practice cardistry without worry, the Dealersgrip collaboration offers great value. The Brutalist Deluxe is more of an investment piece for serious collectors.
Decision rules
- If you prioritize unique, artist-driven design: Choose the Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip. It offers a refreshing, unconventional look from a respected cardistry brand.
- If you want a minimalist, architectural deck: Choose the Brutalist Deluxe Edition. Its restrained back design and custom face cards embody brutalist principles.
- If budget is a primary concern: The Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip is significantly more affordable, making it a low-risk addition to your collection.
- If you are a serious collector seeking an investment piece: The Brutalist Deluxe Edition, with its higher price point and limited-edition feel, is better suited for display and long-term value. Consider your display or storage options: the Brutalist Deluxe may come with a premium tuck case.
Product facts
- Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip: Designed by Dealersgrip, the popular cardistry brand founded by Oliver Sogard. The collaboration was destined to happen after years of friendship. You get a deck that reflects Oliver Sogard's unique and refreshing design language, unlike anything else in the Smoke & Mirrors lineup.
Smoke & Mirrors x Dealersgrip - Smoke & Mirrors, Brutalist Deluxe Edition: Inspired by the quiet monumentality of brutalist architecture, featuring a restrained back design, completely custom face cards, and emphasis on form, proportion, and negative space. This deck offers a minimalist, architectural aesthetic with fully custom artwork, making it a standout piece for collectors who appreciate design theory.
Smoke & Mirrors, Brutalist Deluxe Edition
Which deck fits you?
Best for
- Cardists and collectors who want a unique, affordable collaboration with a distinctive design
- Design enthusiasts who appreciate minimalist, architectural aesthetics and fully custom face cards
Not for
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking a premium, limited-edition showpiece (choose Brutalist Deluxe instead)
- Collectors who prefer loud, busy designs and want maximum visual impact (the Dealersgrip collab may be too subtle)
