When players search for Red Dead Redemption 2 cards, they are usually looking for one of two things: the cigarette cards scattered across the story mode world, or the Tarot cards that drive the Collector role in Red Dead Online. Both systems turn exploration into a treasure hunt, rewarding curiosity with lore, cash, and bragging rights.
Understanding how these cards work can save you hours of riding in circles. From knowing where to check inside a cabin to deciding which sets are worth mailing first, a little knowledge makes the hunt far more profitable and enjoyable.
Cigarette Cards in Red Dead Redemption 2
In the single-player campaign, cigarette cards are vintage collectibles tucked into drawers, sitting on shelves, and hidden inside abandoned structures. There are 144 cards in total, divided into 12 sets of 12, covering subjects like American Paintings, Famous Gunslingers, Famous Outlaws, Flora, Horses, and Marvels of Modern Science.
These cards are easy to overlook because they do not glow or make noise like some other collectibles. However, once you start checking tables and nightstands, you will find them in nearly every major settlement, camp, and homestead.
What Are RDR2 Cigarette Cards?
Each cigarette card is a small piece of in-game history. The front features a detailed illustration, while the back includes a short description that adds flavor to the Red Dead world. They function as both a collection log and a window into the hobbies and obsessions of 1899 America.
You can view your progress by opening Arthur's satchel, navigating to Documents, and selecting Cigarette Cards. The menu shows every set, which cards you own, and how many duplicates you have collected. Duplicates are common when buying Premium Cigarettes, so checking this menu regularly helps you avoid wasting money on packs when you only need a few specific cards.
How to Complete Cigarette Card Sets
There are two main ways to collect cigarette cards. The first is to find them in the open world, often inside houses, train stations, saloons, and camps. The second is to purchase Premium Cigarettes from general stores, which gives you one random card per pack. If you only need a few cards, buying packs can be an expensive but reliable shortcut.
Once a set is complete, you can mail it from any post office to Phineas T. Ramsbottom in Saint Denis. This removes the set from your satchel and rewards you with money, along with progress toward collectible-related achievements or trophies. Completing sets is optional for 100% completion, but it is a satisfying side goal for anyone who enjoys exploring every corner of the map.
Tarot Cards and Collectible Cards in Red Dead Online
Red Dead Online takes the card concept in a different direction. The Collector role, purchased from Madam Nazar for gold bars, unlocks a massive collectible network that includes Tarot Cards. These are split into four suits: Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands, with 14 cards in each suit for a total of 56 Tarot Cards.
Unlike story mode cigarette cards, Tarot Cards rotate their spawn locations on a daily cycle. That means a card you found near Valentine yesterday might be somewhere else today. The upside is that dedicated collectors can use community-made maps and routes to sweep the map efficiently and complete multiple sets in a single session.
Collector Role and Tarot Card Locations
To begin collecting Tarot Cards, you must first buy the Collector role and equip the Collector's Bag. Madam Nazar sells role-specific maps that highlight a few nearby collectibles, but these maps are limited and only show a small sample of what is available. Many experienced players skip the maps and use online interactive maps to plan efficient routes.
Tarot Cards tend to appear in places that feel thematic. Cups are often found in homes, barns, and saloons; Pentacles near churches, cemeteries, and wealthy estates; Swords around camps, forts, and battle sites; and Wands in caves, ruins, and remote wilderness spots. The exact locations shift daily, but the general categories remain useful when you are deciding where to ride first.
Selling Sets and Maximizing Card Rewards
Selling Tarot Cards individually to Madam Nazar is possible, but it is almost always better to hold them until you complete a full suit. Complete sets sell for significantly more money and Collector XP than the sum of their individual cards. This makes patience the most profitable strategy, especially during months when Rockstar runs Collector role bonuses.
If you need quick cash, selling duplicates or low-value singles can help, but avoid breaking up a set you are close to finishing. Tarot Cards are among the easiest collectibles to complete because they do not require a shovel or metal detector, making them a great starting point for new Collectors. Once you have a routine, you can branch into other collectible types like Antique Alcohol Bottles, Family Heirlooms, and Lost Jewelry.
Whether you are tracking down cigarette cards in Arthur Morgan's world or sweeping the frontier for Tarot Cards in Red Dead Online, the hunt changes how you see the map. The next time you ride past a quiet cabin or a lonely train station, take a moment to check the tables and shelves. A single card can be the beginning of a complete set, and the reward is waiting at the nearest post office or with Madam Nazar.