San Manuel Casino
Native American-themed playing cards used by tribal casinos.
This deck from San Manuel Casino in Highland, California is one of several US casino decks featuring Native American courts. The US has hundreds of casinos operated by Native American tribes (tribal lands are exempt from state gambling bans). Some employ nonstandard cards showcasing Native American culture. After being used in casino play, the cards are voided, either by having holes drilled through them or getting the corners clipped, in order to prevent their use in future games. The voided cards are then sold or given out as souvenirs.
Black lines in the corners of the aces, tens, and court cards void the deck after it has been used. It’s unclear whether the courts are based on actual Native American costumes. The jokers are either coyotes or wolves – both animals feature prominently in Native American mythology, but the coyote’s nature as a trickster deity makes it a more natural fit for a joker card. This pattern was also used by the Golden Eagle Casino in Horton, Kansas; Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, Washington; Thunderbird Casino (location unclear); Trump 29 Casino in Coachella, California; and Valley View Casino in Valley Center, California.
San Manuel Casino Playing Cards produced by Gemaco, USA, date unknown.
By Lev Golinkin
United States • Member since May 26, 2026
I'm a US-based author and journalist. I've been collecting playing cards since I was about 8 years old, when I got mesmerized by the various decks that were used in Soviet Ukraine, where I'm from. I collect mainly European decks such as those by Dondorf, Grimaud, and Piatnik. I love courts above all else, and am drawn toward historical and artistic decks.
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