The World Poker Tour has teamed up with American artist Daniel Arsham to release a collectible poker set unlike anything the game has seen before.
Known for his “future relic” aesthetic, where classical sculptures appear unearthed from imagined futures, Daniel Arsham brings his sculptural language to the set in such a way that straddles design, utility, and cultural symbolism.
And it’s limited to just 100 sets globally.
Daniel Arsham is no stranger to merging art with everyday objects like sneakers, cars, cameras, and even pianos into works of fictional archaeology. This time, the WPT commission offered him a new canvas.
“The collaboration was an opportunity to push the boundaries of a traditional poker set,” Arsham said.
Each set contains 350 ceramic poker chips in his muted signature tones, two decks of linen-covered cards featuring images of his sculptures, and a curved anodised aluminium dealer button. All components fit into a custom-designed anodised aluminium case with smooth, sculptural lines that echo his furniture and installation work.
“Through materials, texture, and form, I wanted each element to evoke a sense of refinement and permanence, a testament to the culture and energy of the poker world,” he added.
Poker, as WPT CEO Adam Pliska describes, is a game balanced between deep tradition and constant evolution. Selecting Daniel Arsham for the Tour’s first collectible design product was deliberate.
“Every detail of the design, from the unique colour palette to the curved dealer button and classical statuary-inspired face cards, embodies the dual nature of poker: a game steeped in tradition and history, yet constantly evolving,” Pliska said.
That sense of balance is visible in the set’s design language. The ceramic chips carry weight and texture, lending a tactile gravitas. The linen cards resist wear, yet carry the visual drama of statuary-inspired face cards. The case feels more like a sculptural object than a storage container.
Daniel Arsham’s connection to poker isn’t purely artistic. He has played in WPT charity events, giving him a firsthand appreciation for the game’s psychological rhythm and social energy. That familiarity helped shape the set’s functional details.
“I had been thinking about creating a poker set using some of my sculptures as the face cards and creating a three-dimensional look as if the cards were three-dimensional and thicker,” Arsham explained.
His decision to integrate sculptural imagery on the cards transforms what could be a purely functional element into a small gallery of his work, one revealed and reshuffled with each hand.
This release marks the first time the World Poker Tour has ventured into collectible art products. By limiting production to just 100 sets worldwide, WPT has ensured exclusivity while appealing to two distinct audiences: dedicated poker enthusiasts and art collectors.
For collectors, the set offers more than decorative value. It fits into a growing market where luxury games and bespoke objects are increasingly sought after. From Hermès backgammon boards to Louis Vuitton’s monogrammed chess sets, high-end reinterpretations of classic games have become status symbols in their own right.
The WPT Arsham Poker Set stands firmly in that tradition, yet carries the unique mark of an artist whose work is exhibited in museums as often as it is collected privately.
This poker set is the latest in a series of collaborations that have seen Daniel Arsham work across disciplines. Beyond his solo art practice, he co-founded Snarkitecture, an experimental design studio with architect Alex Mustonen. Their work includes immersive retail spaces, architectural interventions, and objects that challenge traditional approaches to material and form.
Over the years, Daniel Arsham has collaborated with brands like Dior, Adidas, Porsche, and Tiffany & Co., each time bringing his archaeological-meets-modernist sensibility to products and environments. His work blurs the boundary between art and design, making him a natural choice for a project that demands both visual authority and practical craftsmanship.
Owning the WPT Arsham Poker Set is not merely about having a game to play. It’s about possessing a piece of design that reflects a cultural moment, where art, luxury, and competition converge.
For the World Poker Tour, it’s a milestone, a first collectible that aligns with its global brand and the evolving tastes of its audience. For Daniel Arsham, it’s another chapter in a career defined by reimagining the familiar, giving everyday objects a patina of history and a vision of the future.
As poker players and art collectors alike consider their next acquisition, this set stands ready, bridging two worlds with each deal, shuffle, and reveal.
Share this article:
