ZByte playing cards were conceived by Hal Layer in 1983. "I invented ZByte with the objective of motivating students in the critical subjects of computer math and logic with a game tool modeled after ordinary playing cards. As you know, all computers and internet search engines run on Boolean logic: AND, OR and NOT, or a combination of these."

ZByte playing cards features 4 new suit signs based upon the nineteenth century symbols used for binary logic: AND, OR, NOT and BYTE. The court cards and jokers show original drawings of famous persons in the history of computer science, by California artist Roger Ferragallo, incorporating twentieth century fractal computer art in place of the conventional decorations and scrollwork. ZByte is a 52-card deck of playing cards that may be used for all traditional card games, such as Solitaire, blackjack, gin rummy and Poker, as well as with new computer or logic-based games or binary/decimal math games created at home or at school.

52 cards + 2 Jokers + extra card + leaflet in sturdy tuckbox. Cards feature non-standard suit signs, original court and joker designs, 2 indices, round corners, 58mm x 89mm. © H. A. Layer 1993.

Right: The King of Bytes shows Charles Babbage (1792-1871).

The basic concepts of all modern computers are derived from Babbage's invention of his analytic engine, a mechanical computer programmable by punched code.

Other Kings in the deck are George Boole, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Blaise Pascal.

Right: The Queen of Not shows Sophie Germain (1776-1831), a brilliant mathematician, who wrote under the male pseudonym of LeBlanc.

She is famous for her theory of numbers.

The remaining 3 queens are: Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Lady Ada Lovelace and Mary Fairfax Somerville.

Right: The Jokers and Jacks show cyber-inspired robots and androids made of glass and silicon.

These are powerful cards, and symbolise the 'IF' operator which can lead to alternative action in play, as in "if… then…" clauses in computer program statements.

ZByte is a revolutionary new design in playing cards based on computers - the first logical change in 500 years!

The deck comes in this splendid tuckbox, complete with a 32-page booklet describing the background ideas, the revolutionary suit signs plus the rules to play new games.

Click this logo for further information.

VERDICT: has to be seen to be believed. The original concept, design, artwork and quality of production make this deck into an outstanding item. Especially recommended for computer buffs!

The Devil's Picture Book

52 cards + 2 Jokers + leaflet in tuckbox. Cards: 4 indices, round corners, 67mm x 88mm, limited edition of 1000, printed by Drukkerij Twente, Hengelo, Holland.

The Devil's Picturebook is a collaboration between four visual artists from Holland. Each artist has designed a full suit series for the pack, so that their different personalities shine through each suit. Even a different typeface has been chosen for the indices in each suit. Visually this is one of the most interesting features of the pack as a whole, which can only be appreciated as one shuffles the cards. It feels like four different packs made into one. There are more surprises! Below is a critique of each suit-series taken individually:

Clubs A-K + joker + concept: Anir Witt.

The courts and one joker are presented as hand-drawn oval vignettes, including hand drawn indices and suit symbols, and the rest of the cards are all humourously drawn in the style of prehistoric art. All the cards in this suit series are presented on a brown background (the other 3 suits are on a white background). The theme here is "the opposition of 'good' and 'evil'. The Queen is capable of anything, she drinks and plays cards with her husband while death and destruction go round". This must be the namesake suit.

Hearts A-K, back design + tuckbox: Claudia Heinermann.

"One and the same woman in thirteen different ways…" 13 differing symmetrical treatments of an anonymous photograph, who may have as many different faces, and perhaps as many lovers… the bizarre effect is enhanced by the indices in Univers Bold Condensed typeface giving a precise, unemotive and neutral touch. The heart suit symbol has been re-designed with a more pointed bottom, and the images are surrounded by a thin black border.

The back of the cards, also designed by Claudia, is a black and white fourfold symmetry pattern with a typographic motif in the centre, which is repeated on the tuckbox.

Spades A-K + joker: Jenny de Groot.

"The Queen of spades in this series is a self-portrait. The woman wants to be seen and at the same time she wants to be anonymous. King and jack accompany her; an anonymous hand deals out the pips up to ten".

Jenny has designed the suit of spades using a collage of photographs and freehand artwork in the margins, with indices in Galliard typeface, which gives a sharp, clear and slightly complex touch to the whole series.

Diamonds A-K: Josje Eeftinck Schattenkerk.

"A series of miniature drawings in colour pencils, that give a vision on the character of diamonds".

The charming, slightly enigmatic little illustrations are shown as double ended. The 'upright' image is at the bottom of the pip cards and Jack, but at the top of the Queen and King. Josje has chosen Rockwell Bold Condensed as the typeface for the indices, which works very well.

VERDICT: overall a highly original pack with some interesting design features. The cards are nicely made, and handle easily. The collaboration between four visual artists works successfully and this pack is worth having a look at!