Poker CHips

[b8factor]

http://http://llrnet.rieselsieve.com/b8/chipsinternet.jpg

I am looking at getting some NEW chips. I have done my research and it is down to these 3 styles:

1) Composite
1.10 per chip
Used in Casinos today
DOes not wear well on shuffling but looks the best

2) Clay
.95 per chip
Easy to destory with dampness cold or heat
Used by casinos for the past 75 years

3) Clay Composite
.70 per chip
Used by casinos
A bit slippery to stack to tall but the strognest chip of the 3 in durabilty and longevity

Any comments?

What is more important? Feel? Stack ability? Looks? Price is no concern for this set.

[b8factor]

http://llrnet.rieselsieve.com/b8/chipsinternet.jpg

[obeythekitten]

99.999% of people claiming to sell "clay composite" chips are flat out lying. period.

go to pokerchipreviews.com for the info, and buy them from 5stardeal.com for better prices than most ebay sellers on everything.

[spicychili]

If your option 1 is the first stack of chips in that image those are Ceramic not Composite.

I personally like (and own 1300+)the chioco chips (the ceramic ones).

You may also want to check out http://www.homepokertourney.com/chips_review.htm for chip reviews. He probably had done a detailed review on every chip that you have in your image.



What it comes down to is what you like the best. You seem to already have some samples. All of the chips will last a very long time, unless you are playing underwater then the clay ones will last about a day.

[bubbafry]

If you haven't yet, you should check out pokerchipreviews.com, particularly http://www.pokerchipreviews.com/education.html. People use a lot of different descriptions for the same chips. Most of the time, when people talk about high end chips, it usually boils down to:

1. "Real Clay" , aka compression-molded clay
- what most people think of when they think of a "casino chip"
- most casinos use these (Paulson brand)
- companies include Paulson, ASM, Blue Chip, TRKing, probably forgetting some. Paulson just recently started selling to the home market again, IMO has the best feel but limited design selection.

2. Ceramic
- the face of these are completely flat and the graphic goes all the way to the edge
- some casinos use these, including Luxor and Palms I think. generally use ChipCo brand

- I think only 2 brands: ChipCo, NevadaJacks. Most people think ChipCo is the superior of these brands, but NJs are substantially cheaper are still pretty good.

3. Bud Jones style chip
- don't know much about these, but generally have a metal inlay (sometimes covered with a decal) surrounded by composite.
- Real Bud Jones chips aren't available to the public, but you can buy them used (pretty expensive)
- I think Matsui makes a BJ-style chip that is good quality. Don't know about other brands.


As mentioned above, just order a bunch of samples and choose which one you like. Durability and stackability are generally not an issue with high end chips, unless you abuse them. Feel and looks obviously subjective. Usually the decision-making starts choosing between clay and ceramic. If you like ceramic, people mostly go with ChipCo chips which can be found in many different designs (or you can have them custom made). If you like clay, get samples from the different manufacturers and decide which chip is best in terms of feel and mold design. Then find a inlay design you like or have one custom made.

Anyway, just my opinions - there are people around these forums that know a lot more about chips than me... Good luck with your search.

[SamIAm]

[ QUOTE ]
unless you are playing underwater then the clay ones will last about a day.

[/ QUOTE ]
But, still! You'd get a whole day of playing UNDER WATER!
-Sam

[tomb1]

Good advice to read both review sites noted above. Lots of good info there. Here's my 2¢...

1. Ceramic -- Chipco (including Egyptians) or Nevada Jacks skulls, mardi gras, desert sands, etc. Excellent quality printing and superb graphics available. Get samples of both types to see which finish you like -- smoother or more textured. Used by some casinos, but a great chip if you like the sound and feel. Good custom choices here.

2. Compression molded "Clay" -- Paulsons are the Cadillac here. Some real chips available on eBay but getting damn expensive -- Vineyards, New Sonny's, Crystal Park, even Dunes. Also good Paulson "fantasy" casino chips -- Scandia, Fabulous Las Vegas, Players, Good Luck, old James Bonds. Paulson just started producing new Paulson Chips mold for consumers, seem to be casino quality. There are a couple of group buys going on for new Paulson James Bonds and some custom Eqyptian Paulsons. Other good clay choices are Kardwell, other ASM molds, BPC Modern Clays, TR Kings, Blue Chips, Nevada Jacks and Martini Clubs. Some customized choices here from certain manufacturers.

3. Composite "clay" really composite plastic/nylon -- Bud Jones are the Cadillac here, but sold only to casinos. Two styles -- coin centered and decals. Some BJs available on eBay (like Dodge City or Maxamillion decals or various coin inlays). Other good coin-centered choices (Matsui made) from Rounders card club, Murphy's, and KC chips. These have a unique feel and sound that are not like clays or ceramics, but many people (including me) like them a lot.

Finally, lots of junk out there, but you can usually tell by the price. Most of what people claim as clays (or even composites) are definitely not!

You've got 3 distinct choices -- all good quality that will last a long time, if you're willing ot pay in the $1 range.

Good luck deciding. If you need more info or links, let me know.

[jtr]

I think that if you want to play underwater then the dreaded dice chips might finally have found their true niche.

[b8factor]

That's right ceramic. I had forgotten. I love the look, feel, sound, stackabilti, and what I mean here is their ability to stick together when moving 20-30 stacks without falling, and every thing else.

What I do not like about these chips is for the price they do not last long. What I mean by that is I have had a sample set for some time and shuffle them to death and the small white rim eventualy wears down and then the design is next to go. Also you can slightly rub them together and they wear off. I hate to have all white chips by year end.

Other than that these have always been my fav. It is just that Poker players do so much shuffling they will wear out fast.

[b8factor]

what i mean by stacking is that the compoite chips are a bit slippery compared to chalky ceramic or clay chips and when moving a 20-30 stack into a pot they sometimes slip over and fall. Same when your dealing behind you stack and accidenlty nick the top it makes the whole stack fall.

The clay chips do a real good job of being "sticky" with each other. The cermaics are not as good but still better than the composite.

However, the + on the composite is they last longer than the rest.

[tomb1]

Yeah, wear is the only major disadvantage of Chipcos. You can see it at casinos with their constant use, but most people who have home chips don't complain about it. You must really be using them a lot. Most of the Chipcos have been made for a few years with a white ring as part of the design, that helps to postpone the worst wear for a while.

The non-Chipco brand chips (Nevada Jacks Skulls, Mardi Gras, Desert Sands, etc.) have a much more textured surface and don't seem to have the same problem (though they don't get casino-type usage). You might get samples of these to see if you like this feel.

If you think they will get heavy usage, you might not want ceramics. Unless of course you and your buddies will see well-worn chips as the sign of a good poker game and a good poker player!!

If you like ceramics but want more durability, the Bud Jones-type composite plastic/nylon chips (the good ones) are damn near bomb-proof. But as you said, the consumer chips you can get (Matsuis like Murphy's, Rounders, KC Chips) are more hard/slick and don't stick together as well. But the real Bud Jones chips don't have this problem -- their material is slightly rubbery enough that they stick & stack very well.

Here's an auction for one of the real BJ coin sets that comes up now and then, though rarely: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63759&item=6161424 904&rd=1

And here's an old auction for some real BJ decal (non-coin) chips: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6162587727&ssPage Name=STRK:MEWA:IT
These are the exact type of chips used at last year's WSOP.

[E Hanhan]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that if you want to play underwater then the dreaded dice chips might finally have found their true niche.

[/ QUOTE ]

lmao. True.

[bubbafry]

[ QUOTE ]
What I do not like about these chips is for the price they do not last long. What I mean by that is I have had a sample set for some time and shuffle them to death and the small white rim eventualy wears down and then the design is next to go. Also you can slightly rub them together and they wear off. I hate to have all white chips by year end.

[/ QUOTE ]

Clay chips keep their color since the color goes all the way through the chip and the design on the inlay won't rub off. Maybe you should go with clay if you don't like the fact that the design rubs off on the ceramics. IMO, if you haven't already, you should get a sample set of the new James Bond Paulsons from Apache Poker chips (http://www.apachepokerchips.com) and see how you like those.

I wouldn't worry about the durability of the clay chips. They should last forever, unless you're running a casino (yes, yes or playing underwater /images/graemlins/grin.gif).

[Fins]

Well I know you said you did your research but I figured I'd post some threads just in case you missed something...

The Pharaoh's group buy is looking like a great deal for clays... this gets my vote. 2nd would be pc.com customs or custom Chipcos.

CUT 'N PASTE...

High end chip info threads:
High end chip info thread (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1443061&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&vc=1)

Some more info on Chipco vs NJ (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1758312&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=14&vc=1)

Custom's info & Matsui (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1504483&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&vc=1)

New Paulson Pics (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8770&postdays=0&postorder=asc&star t=15)

A couple ASM Chip pics (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8845&start=0) plus here's a mock file for ASM's (i.e. pokerchips.com) (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8964).

Coin centered Matsui & Murphy's (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1900001&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)

New Paulson Wear (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9232&start=60&sid=b2728798183b987a 20f8df75e845cfd3)

Check out pokerchipreviews.com (http://www.pokerchipsreviews.com)

Chicpo wear:
FYI - just so you go in informed some folks (the clay or nothin' crowd) throw out wear concerns...
Chipco wear thread 1 (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7577&postdays=0&postorder=asc&high light=chipco+wear&start=15)

Chipco wear thread 2 (http://www.scottkeen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1260&sid=f020f9edb5cafd107773e8e22 01e3d7c). This thread has a pic of the Palms chip which inspired the card graphic detail in my club... the Ace is pictured but they thave the other paints as well. I always liked those chips.

Some more info (http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8052&highlight=chipco+wear)

Also, the nipple/ridge issue (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1759875&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)

I obviously think in home game use they're perfectly acceptable but only time will tell. Just thought you might want to read some cons before forking out major dough.

- Fins

[Johnny5]

WOW - 13 Links!

Fins - I nominate you as the official king of URL linking on 2+2. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

J5

[The Link King]

[ QUOTE ]
WOW - 13 Links!

Fins - I nominate you as the official king of URL linking on 2+2. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

J5

[/ QUOTE ]

I accept.

/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Fins

[Johnny5]

Ha! Link King - link·ing - Nice!

What, your first post, and no link? /images/graemlins/frown.gif

I renege on my nomination!

J5

(Originally, I was going to nominate you as the Duke of URL, but now I'm really glad I didn't!)

[SpaceMonkey9]

[ QUOTE ]

(Originally, I was going to nominate you as the Duke of URL, but now I'm really glad I didn't!)

[/ QUOTE ]
Ouch. That's really bad. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Johnny5]

C'mon - I've seen worse... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

J5