This deck of cards has been put together using four different sets (one for each suit) made by Russian criminals in prisons during the 1980s. Prohibited by the prison authorities, they were constructed from innocuous materials procured from the everyday routine of prison life, their unique designs skillfully manipulated so that they could be read.
The respect commanded by any criminal was directly related to his ability to play, and win, at cards. Being "lucky" at cards was also seen as a good omen (even if the winner cheated, as this practice is acceptable within the thieves' world). A thief could stake anything in a card game, a finger, an arm, the life of another inmate, or even his own. If he lost, the debt had to be paid immediately. The penalty for defaulting was expulsion, a forcibly applied tattoo or, in some cases, death.
Mostly confiscated and destroyed by the authorities, original decks are difficult to obtain and often incomplete. The authentic designs reproduced here have been taken from original cards collected over the last ten years by the authors. A standard Russian deck contains only 36 cards. This pack has been adapted to make a complete standard Western deck of 52 cards and 2 jokers, making them suitable for any game.
Delivery varies by location, please see the expected timeframe to receive your product below:
Metro: 1-4 business days
Regional: 1-6 business days
No delivery to PO Box addresses or Parcel Lockers unless Australia Post is specified when ordering.
Change of Mind Returns:
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Most products come with a 30 day change of mind policy. If at any time within the first 30 days from purchase date you are not completely satisfied with your order, please contact us for return approval. Once received and inspected, we will facilitate an agreed resolution.
Please Note:
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The product must be returned in the original packaging, accessories included
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Fees may apply
Estimated Delivery Time Frame: 5 - 10 business days