London, UK — November 22, 2025
On the anniversary of poker legend Stu Ungar’s passing, renowned sleight-of-hand artist and card mechanic Daniel Madison has released a special commemorative deck in collaboration with Stefanie Ungar, daughter of the late champion, and The Ungar Center for Hope — a non-profit dedicated to trauma recovery.
The Ungar Playing Cards, designed by Madison, are more than a collector’s deck. They’re a tribute to one of the greatest minds in poker history — a man whose brilliance, struggles, and humanity have inspired generations of players and creators alike.
“When I first learned Stu’s story, I recognised a kind of mirror,” Madison explains. “He was a genius of pure instinct, a man who saw through the deck in a way nobody else could. But behind that genius was pain, addiction, and the cost of brilliance. That duality — the beauty and the chaos — is what moved me to make this deck.”
The project was created with the full permission and blessing of Stefanie Ungar, whose non-profit, The Ungar Center for Hope, provides immediate-access trauma recovery services in Las Vegas. A portion of proceeds from each deck will be donated to the Center.
“Working with Stefanie has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” says Madison. “She’s turned her family’s pain into purpose. This deck isn’t about cards — it’s about legacy, healing, and redemption. To be able to contribute to that through my craft means more to me than words can express.”
The Ungar Deck features custom illustrations honoring Stu’s life and achievements — with Ungar himself represented as both the King and Jack of Spades, and an unforgettable Joker depicting the legend facing his younger self across the table.
Alongside the release, Madison is also launching a new Mad Method titled The Winning Hand, a video study inspired by the iconic hand that secured Ungar’s third World Series of Poker title in 1997. While Ungar’s hand was won through pure skill and fair play, Madison explores how the same outcome might be engineered through sleight-of-hand — a symbolic bridge between the worlds of professional poker and playing card artistry.
“Ungar and I lived on different sides of the same table,” Madison says. “He played the real game; I play the illusion of it. Both require control, nerve, and obsession. This project brings those worlds together with respect and love.”
The Ungar Playing Cards are available exclusively at madison.cards.
A portion of every sale supports The Ungar Center for Hope.
Media Contact:
team@madison.cards
www.madison.cards
Attribution and Disclaimers:
Name, image, and likeness of Stu Ungar used with permission of Stefanie Ungar Campbell.
The Winning Hand is a separate release by Daniel Madison and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stefanie Ungar Campbell or The Ungar Center for Hope.