A classic, but you wonder why. - Rated 
I've used this deck on and off for over 20 years and I still have an awkward relationship with it. I actually like the rather simple and dated art work and I want to connect with it, but there are so many faults and irritating images that I can't.
The problems:
The court cards are variable in the ease of interpretation.
The Wheel of Fortune has too much occult imagery
I don't agree with transposing Justice and Strength
It's too much influenced by the Order of the Golden Dawn - who tried to link too many systems together; a futile exercise which distorted the tarot to fit their ideas.
The little white book that comes with it is very poor.
Readings with this deck are often too vague and often just completely wrong; I find it hard to concentrate my intuitive faculties using it!
This deck influenced so many modern decks in the minor arcana, but has been surpassed. Sharman-Casselli, Morgan-Greer, Sheridan-Douglas, to name a few are much better. However, the best of all is the new Druidic Tarot which - despite the changes to some names - is superb and I cannot fault.
I dont believe in divination but still great - Rated 
i bought my tarot cards not for 'divination' but because they can be a useful psychological tool to help you reflect and found the cards interesting and (at the risk of insulting those who claimed on other reports it worked) fun. The acompanying book was naff so i boughtThe Tarot Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Cards and Spreads (Godsfield Bible) (Paperback) which really catered for my lack of belief in the otherworldly crap - a great buy even if you're not on LSD
The definitive tarot deck 10/10 - Rated
There never has been and there never will be a deck as good as this! I feel that the artist channelled these and they contain all the magic and answers you will ever need to learn tarot. I always teach people using these cards. love them or hate them they are the definitive tarot.I also use the Morgan Greer and if you are into numerology the Thoth is for you BUT there is only one Rider and it has been around so long for a very good reason, it is special!I taught Jane Goldman the tarot in her series Jane Goldman investigates and she got it straight away. I also use them in my dvd Tarot made easy.
Timeless classic - Rated
I just bought a pack of these today and I love them already. Everyone must know about the Rider-Waite cards by now so I won't bore you with details of the pictures, you can see cards from this deck on Aecletic Tarot.com.
The cards themselves are laminated and therefore really glossy, thick and feel delightful to the touch. It also makes them quite slippery to shuffle sometimes. The cards are a nice size and fit in the hand comfortably.
A lot of people have criticised this edition of the Rider Waite collection citing mute brownes and sepia's and lacklustre nature of the pictures - for a time even I thought they were plain ugly, however, on a closer inspection, I really started to appreciate the beauty behind the images. Ok, so there are an infinite number of more aesthetically appealing decks available, and the artwork on these cards sometimes leaves something to be desired, however, I think if you give these cards a chance and take a really good look at them, you will start to find the charm and classic beauty behind them as I did. Even though I've only had them for one afternoon, just looking at each one, I already feel immensely connected to this particular deck. This is now the 6th deck in my collection but I can see it will prob be one of my trusted favourites.
Overall, I think the browns and sepias work well, they are easy on the eye, I don't feel that they are dull or muted but then again, art is a highly personal thing. The cards are easy for beginners to connect to - you can look at a card and immediately start to intuit what the meanings are and most books on the Tarot work with, or are immediately applicable to the Rider Waites.
The book that comes with it is an interesting read but not an essential and the cards really do seem to speak for themselves. Definitely one of my ultimate decks.
IF you prefer vibrant colours but want to stick with Rider Waite images, try the Radiant Rider-Waite (soon to be joining my collection) or if you want a midway between teh Originals and the Radiant, try the Universals which are excellent for meditation as well.
Dull, and offering no true insight. - Rated 
I shall have to go against popular opinion and say that to me, the RWS cards (this edition or others) simply do not speak to me. It is not just a matter of the dull colours - though this particular edition could stand improvement on that front.
The images are, let's be honest, not very good, and the symbolism is ham-fisted at best. I own many decks, and find that for a given reading I will be drawn to one particular deck over the others. I find my RWS calls to me only for the most banal and childish of questions (or querrants).
That is the best word for these cards, 'childish'. One might make the arguement that they are good for the beginner, but I would rather give the beginner more credit than that.
Long story short, this deck has been knocking around for nearly a century, perhaps it's time to put the old girl out of her misery.
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