Playing cards for nerds.
A standard pack of 52 cards, with each card written in JSON, the text format computers use to store and share data. Point your phone at one and it turns back into a proper playing card.
Free UK delivery
How it works
Point your phone at a card and it transforms it into its traditional style.
Have a go.
Pick a card, then tap Scan Card Code. The phone reads the printed card through its camera.
Try the real card readertap Scan Card Code
287 people backed it on Kickstarter.
It raised over seven times its target in March 2026. Here's what a few of them said.
Read all the comments"…they look absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for such a special deck of cards."
"I absolutely love it! The design is cool, the web app works great, and the renders look amazing. The Jokers render is especially cute."
"So cool, I bought decks for all of the coders and developers on my team."
Every card in the pack
Tap any card to see it up close, then flick through the pack.
All 54 cards: ace to king in spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds, plus two jokers. Each card is printed as its own block of JSON. The seven of clubs reads {"rank": "7", "suit": "clubs", "type": "number"}, the king of spades reads {"rank": "king", "suit": "spades", "type": "face"}, and the jokers read {"rank": "ERROR", "suit": "HACKED", "exploit": "<script>", "payload": "alert(1)", "file": "/etc/passwd", "type": "joker1"}.
What's in the box
- Cards
- 54 - the usual 52, plus 2 jokersThe jokers are written as a hacking attempt.
- Card stock
- 310gsm black core, linen finish
- Size
- Standard poker, 2.5″ × 3.5″The same as a normal pack.
- Ink
- Fluorescent orange and green
- Box
- Silver-foiled tuck box
- Edition
- First edition, limited run
Questions
What are Pure Data Playing Cards?
A pack of 54 playing cards where each card is written as a short block of JSON, the text format computers use to store and share data, instead of the usual pips and pictures. Each card just says what it is: its rank, its suit and its type. They're designed in London by Dan Berg.
Can you play normal card games with them?
Yes. It's a standard pack of 52 cards plus two jokers, and every card still tells you its number and suit. Snap, rummy, poker, patience - anything you'd play with a normal pack.
Do you need to know how to code?
No. Each card spells out its rank and suit in plain words, so anyone can read it and play. The jokers are written as a hacking attempt, which is an extra joke for anyone who works with computers.
What does the card reader do?
It's a free web app that runs in your phone's browser, so there's nothing to download. Point your camera at a card and it shows you the traditional card that the data describes.
Is this the same deck as Pure Code Playing Cards on Kickstarter?
Yes. The deck started on Kickstarter as Pure Code Playing Cards and was funded in March 2026, when 287 backers took it to 719% of its target. It was renamed after people pointed out that JSON is data, not code.
Would it make a good present?
For anyone who works with computers, or anyone who likes cards, yes. It comes in a silver-foiled tuck box, so it's ready to give.
Is it a limited edition?
Yes. This is the first edition, printed as a limited run.
Get a pack.
$27
54 cards in a silver-foiled tuck box. First edition, limited run. A good present for anyone who works with computers - or anyone who likes cards.
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