My most readable deck is the RWS.
Because - that's the one we used on the Tarot course that I attended years ago.
(The course was for 3 terms over 1 year, at the College of Psychic Studies in London. We got a decent amount of practical training too - as the College/instructress had a bank of volunteers that they called in, to be guinea pigs for readings outside of class time. So we could read for "live" people, and report back for support. We could even record the readings.).
I learn best in a class/workshop setting with live interactions - hence this particular format became my "default" setting. And hence, I'm less comfortable with "pip decks" (i.e. ones with no people/descriptive scenes in the minor arcana).
However, it took me years to even like the RWS itself
. Pamela's artwork never particularly spoke to me and I resisted for quite a few classes, before I gave in to buying my own copy (it was impractical to use a different deck when everyone was new, and learning on the same imagery).
When I read today, it's with anything but RWS - leaning towards a couple of firm favourites who's artwork/imagery I love (Gendron Tarot, Halloween Tarot, and more recently - Dame Fortune's Wheel and Night Sun Tarot - though it will take me a while to get a good handle on these new ones). And when I get stuck on modern imagery - I refer back, in-my-minds-eye, to the RWS version to remember my originally learnt interpretations.
If I attend a Tarot enthusiasts meeting/workshop - I take an RWS, and one other favourite deck.
If we do swaps and I'm with a beginner, I'll use the RWS.
And - good heavens!!! You mean... some people feel/have felt they must "apologise" or something, for actually liking the RWS deck?? (or any other deck for that matter) Heh. How funny, when here I was for years wishing I liked it, even a little bit.
After all - it was painted (in only 6 months! - large scale paintings.) by the lovely Pamela Coleman Smith - Golden Dawn magister!!
. (It was after I went to a lecture about her life and saw some of her other artwork, that I began to appreciate her deck, just a little bit.).
And ah... even more good heavens!! - You mean... some people choose decks they think make them look cool even when they can't get on with them?
Wonders never cease.