The Banjo King Buying Guide: Game, Mat, and Shirt

By Twogether Studios | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: Buying Guides

Decide between The Banjo King base game, the Whole Holler deluxe set, the bandana game mat, and the T-shirt. Includes fit guidance and preorder timing.

Quick answer

Start with The Banjo King base game if you want the two card games and nothing else. Choose The Banjo King: The Whole Holler when you want the game plus a cotton bandana/player-board, two engraved wood scrip tokens, and an adult-sized Banjo King T-shirt in one purchase. Add the standalone bandana game mat if you already own the game and want a point tracker, and pick the separate T-shirt only if you want the art without the deluxe bundle. Preorders ship August 3rd, so order the size and bundle you want before that date.

What each Banjo King item actually is

The Banjo King is a small box card game with two games inside: Moonshine! (a card collecting game inspired by Scopa) and Blessed (a trick taking game inspired by Briscola). The deck includes rules for both plus reference cards. It plays with two or four players. The Whole Holler is the deluxe edition that contains one copy of the game, one cotton 20x20 bandana/player-board, two engraved wood scrip tokens, and an adult-sized Banjo King T-shirt. The standalone bandana is a 22x22 inch 100% cotton pre-washed bandana designed by Glen Nakasako, with 11 symbols on each side for tracking progress in Moonshine!. The T-shirt is a Gildan Soft Style preshrunk 100% cotton adult shirt with Charles Ferguson-Avery's illustration on the front and Glen Nakasako's graphic design logo on the sleeve, in sizes S-3X.

How to choose between the base game and The Whole Holler

If you already own a bandana or just want the cards, the base game is the efficient pick. If you are buying for a household that will play Moonshine! often, The Whole Holler bundles the game with the bandana/player-board and tokens, which keeps score tracking and turn order in one box. The bundle also includes a T-shirt, so it only makes sense if you want wearable art in the size you select. Because the T-shirt size is part of the deluxe set, check the size chart before ordering; the set does not let you split sizes.

When to add the bandana game mat separately

The standalone bandana works as a game mat and a score tracker. Each side has 11 symbols for marking progress toward winning Moonshine!, so it replaces scrap paper or loose tokens. It measures 22x22 inches, slightly larger than the 20x20 bandana/player-board in The Whole Holler. If you want a spare mat for a second player or a larger surface, buy the standalone bandana. If you already get the deluxe set, the included bandana covers the same job for one player.

T-shirt fit and sizing guidance

The Banjo King T-shirt is printed on Gildan Soft Style preshrunk 100% cotton in adult sizes S through 3X. It is a standard adult unisex cut, so if you normally wear a unisex small, order small; if you prefer a looser fit or plan to layer, size up. The shirt is preshrunk, but cotton can still move slightly after the first wash. The Whole Holler includes an adult-sized shirt, so the same sizing logic applies there. If you need a specific size and the bundle only offers one size option, buy the standalone T-shirt instead to get the exact fit.

Preorder timing and what to do before August 3rd

All four items are preorders that ship August 3rd. The catalog shows the bandana at USD 9.60 compared to a USD 15.00 comparison price, the base game at USD 8.55 compared to USD 12.95, The Whole Holler at USD 31.47 compared to USD 49.95, and the T-shirt at USD 20.25 compared to USD 27.00. If you want the deluxe set with a specific shirt size, order early so the size is reserved. If you only need the game or the bandana, those are the lowest-cost ways to start. Preorder items ship together, so if you order multiple products they will arrive in one shipment after August 3rd.

Decision rules for The Banjo King

If you only want the two card games: Buy The Banjo King base game. It includes Moonshine! and Blessed with rules and reference cards for two or four players. Lowest-cost entry; add a bandana later if you need score tracking.
If you want the game plus score tracking and a shirt: Choose The Banjo King: The Whole Holler. It bundles the game, a 20x20 bandana/player-board, two engraved wood scrip tokens, and an adult-sized T-shirt. Confirm your T-shirt size before ordering; the set does not offer separate sizes.
If you already own the game and want a larger mat: Add the standalone 22x22 bandana game mat. It has 11 symbols per side for tracking Moonshine! progress and is larger than the deluxe player-board. Useful as a second player board or a spare score tracker.
If you want the art without the bundle: Buy the standalone T-shirt in your exact size, S through 3X, printed on Gildan Soft Style preshrunk cotton. Best when you do not need the game or the bandana.

Product facts

The Banjo King Bandana/Game Matt ( Preorder: Ships August 3rd): 100% cotton pre-washed bandana measuring 22 x 22 inches, designed by Glen Nakasako, with 11 symbols on each side for tracking progress in Moonshine!. Works as a reusable score tracker and game mat, and the larger size gives more room than the 20x20 bandana/player-board in the deluxe set.
The Banjo King: The Whole Holler ( Preorder: Ships August 3rd): Deluxe edition contains 1 copy of the game, 1 cotton 20x20 bandana/player-board, 2 engraved wood scrip tokens, and an adult-sized Banjo King T-Shirt. One purchase covers the game, a player board, tokens, and wearable art, but the T-shirt size is fixed by the set you choose.
The Banjo King:T Shirt ( Preorder: Ships August 3rd): Printed on Gildan Soft Style preshrunk 100% cotton adult shirt in sizes S-3X, featuring Charles Ferguson-Avery's illustration on the front and Glen Nakasako's graphic design logo on the sleeve. Gives you the artwork without buying the deluxe set, and the size range covers most adult players.
The Banjo King: Small box card game with two games inside: Moonshine! (card collecting inspired by Scopa) and Blessed (trick taking inspired by Briscola), for two or four players, with rules and reference cards. The lowest-cost way to get both games if you already have a way to track scores.

Who should buy which

Best for

Players who want two easy-to-learn card games for two or four players
Gift buyers who want a single bundle with game, tokens, mat, and shirt
Existing owners who need a larger bandana game mat or a replacement score tracker
Fans of Appalachian folk art who want the Charles Ferguson-Avery illustration on a shirt

Not for

Shoppers who need the item before August 3rd, since all items are preorders that ship on that date
Buyers who want a different T-shirt size than the one included in The Whole Holler
Groups looking for a heavy strategy game; these are small box card games inspired by Scopa and Briscola
Anyone who prefers a score-tracking app over a physical bandana mat