Hoyle®

Hoyle Collection – Tradition, Variety & American Card History

Step into the world of Hoyle—one of America’s most storied playing card brands, synonymous with quality and fair play for nearly a century. The Hoyle name honors Edmund Hoyle, the 18th-century British authority on card game rules, making “According to Hoyle” a phrase that stands for playing games the right way.

Hoyle playing cards were first introduced to the U.S. in 1927 by Brown & Bigelow—a historic printing house from St. Paul, Minnesota. The brand’s red and blue poker decks soon became famed for their unique shell-back design and distinctive face cards, which feature modernist, finely drawn courts unlike any others in the industry. The company’s dedication was such that, following decades of success, the division was renamed Hoyle Products in 1975.

The collection on ClassicDecks.com showcases Hoyle tradition across every major card game:

• Traditional Poker Decks: Durable paper cards (and plastic options!), crisp finish, and the iconic “optical illusion” Hoyle joker—competing head-to-head with Bicycle for generations.
• Bridge Decks: Elegant and practical, adapted to the needs of serious players at club and home tables.
• Pinochle Decks: Specialized double-9 through ace decks for America’s favorite meld game, featuring classic Hoyle faces for easy sorting and scoring.
• 100% Plastic Decks: Waterproof and built to last, these are favorites for high-intensity play—first introduced after the USPCC acquired the Hoyle brand in 2001, adding modern innovation to classic appeal.
• Vintage Decks: Explore rare finds from the Stancraft days (a Brown & Bigelow division known for creativity in packaging and marketing) as well as “Hoyle Products” eras—sought-after by collectors for quality, artistry, and nostalgia.
• Shellback & Heritage Designs: With Poseidon back patterns and distinctive court cards, Hoyle decks reflect both fanciful design and the practical excellence needed for long-lasting, reliable game play.

Hoyle became part of the United States Playing Card Company family in 2001—a rare example where USPCC preserved and even expanded a historic brand rather than retiring it. Today, Hoyle decks continue to set standards in cardrooms, social clubs, family gatherings, and collector’s cabinets everywhere.

ClassicDecks.com is proud to celebrate the legacy of fair play with its range of Hoyle poker, bridge, pinochle, 100% plastic, and unique vintage decks—from the everyday to the extraordinary.