Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

My girlfriend wants to get me a nice set of chips for our anniversary. I have a set of eBay specials (500 piece, 11.5g, red/green/blue/black/white chips) that are okay. But they are cheap - feel like cheap plastic, and they sound really metallic.

The budget is about $250 for a set of chips...I've got a couple of things in mind for what I want.

I don't want a cheesy fake casino/tournament logo on the chips. I've found a lot of neat chips, but then they've got something like "Martini Club Casino" on them. No thanks.

I don't want denominations. Sometimes we play tournaments, where chips have huge values (5/25/100/500/etc, etc), sometimes we play low limit ring games where the chips have real value ($.25/$.5/$1/etc, etc). Denominations just mess that all up.

I don't want the same old boring colors...everyone has the eBay special chip set. I want something a little nicer.

These chips are beautiful:
http://www.cardroomsupply.com/10chtpoch.html

But...denominations and stupid logo. A little expensive, but it gives you an idea.

These chips look neat too - I like the colors and edge spots..

http://www.nevadajacks.net/mall/martini_club.htm

But...logo and denominations again.

A friend of mine has this set:

http://www.pokernstuff.com/index.asp...amp;ProdID=104

Which has a very nice feel/sound to it, but it's pretty much just an upgraded version of the eBay special.

Anyone have any ideas/links? I'm running out of steam on Google [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Or, am I just out of luck in my price range? Is the decision really limited to the eBay special versus ponying up a $1 per chip for something I really want?

I've found these chips:

http://www.holdempokerchips.com/products.asp?cat=30

That I REALLY like, but dang...$500+ for the set. Yee-ouch. I'd like something like these chips (non-denominated, nice look, good quality) but maybe not quite this price range.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I would suggest that you take a look at this site.

http://www.homepokertourney.com/chips_review.htm

He has reviewed most of the chips that you will find anywhere.

For the price that you are looking at I would suggest a set of nextgen chips. While the price on homepokertourney says there are .50 each you can get them for as little as .20 each at 5stardeal

I have no affiliation with any of these sites.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I agree with chili. At that budget, Nexgens sound like the way to go.

If you have opinions on graphics (pretty much the same as mine: No casino, No denominations) then you should definitely do labels. I had Jason do mine, and I was psyched with the product. This link has lots of details and links to all the label-makers.
-Sam

P.S. Welcome to the forum. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Thanks for the welcome...I've been lurking for awhile, but finally decided to post.

I've looked at those NexGens...not bad looking at all. The only downside is that everyone says they sound pretty much like every other cheap 11.5g chip. Maybe I will order a sample of them and see. Thanks for the tips - I'll keep digging. The more I research, the more it seems that you really are limited to either "cheap budget chips" or "expensive nice chips".

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
The only downside is that everyone says they sound pretty much like every other cheap 11.5g chip. ... The more I research, the more it seems that you really are limited to either "cheap budget chips" or "expensive nice chips".

[/ QUOTE ]
Hmm. I don't think EITHER of those statements are true. I'm holding a dice-chip, a nexgen, and a Paulson sample, and there's a pretty large difference in sound between ALL the chips. (Nexgens are in the middle.)

I also don't think that it just goes from cheap straight to expensive. In the middle are (surprisingly enough) Nexgens. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] You should also check-out teh 13g chips. They're monsterously heavy, but lots of people like them.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I would have to agree with the last few posters and say that Nexgens are probably the way to go. I am also stuck with a set of the infamous DICE chips, as I am lacking the funds to get anything nicer. I have played with the Nexgens though, and I have to say that if I wanted to invest a little more money, they are waht I would go with. You can get a set of 1000 for a little over 200 at 5star (someone posted the link above).

This may not solve your problem of making them unique, but the easiest way to do that is get labels made. You will be sure to have a one of a kind set if you design the label yourself. THere are a bunch of people that will make them for yo on the net, and they fit very well on the nexgens because of the slightly recessed center. You can label the whole 1000 for something around 50-60 bucks...not bad if you don't mind putting on 2000 labels. I am personally going to do this with my dice set because i want something that looks better, but that is relatively inexpensive.

And as a note on the denominations, I was in the same position as you. However I think it works if you use denominations 1, 5, 25, 100, 500 for a 5 color set. Just don't put $ signs in front. This way they can work as high value tourney chips or lower ring game denoms. For the latter you just have to imagine there is a decimal point in the 100s and 500s...not too far of a stretch. I personally think it helps eliminate confusion with the denoms, especially if you are getting players that aren't regulars.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

If you can wait 10 weeks. For 500 chips at $250, I would seriously look at http://pokerchips.com. You can customize your colors and it will be sweet. You can call them and they will send you some samples. There is also a mockup generator here.

You may also want to look at
http://thepokerchipcompany.com/. They are a good upgrade as far as quality goes. But look kind of bland.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to take a look into these...I appreciate it.

I'm not looking for a COMPLETELY unique chip, just something nicer than the typical composite chips.

I had looked at those chips from The Poker Chip Company - they were one of the sites that I had bookmarked to consider later...I think I will have to get a sample of the NexGen chips. I really, really like the look of the clay chips with edge spots, and those seem to be a good value if they are decent.

I appreciate all the feedback!

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

A couple of options with prices per chip:

www.pokerchips.com (.35 - .95) - Real clay chips. You can get non-inlayed custom edge spot chips for .50/chip. Best custom chip for the buck. The only downside is the wait (measured in months).

Neophytes/Kingpins (.35- .27) - Much better feeling than 95% of the cheap chips on the market. These are basically the same chip but the Neophytes ( www.buypokerchips.com ) come with denominated stickers or non-denom stickers (ugly ones) while the Kingpins ( www.acehighsupply.com) are blank chips. I have the Neophytes and I'm happey with them.

www.thepokerchipcompany.com (.45 - .55) - Feel good, sounds good, no metal insert but looks like a lot of cheap chips. Good quality chip that can be customized.

If you wanted to add denoms, the Nevada Jacks ceramics (Dead Mans or Desert Sands) are nice.

Also, check out www.pokerchipreviews.com.

gl

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I'd spend the extra and go for the "suit" chips real nice and a major step up in quality.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

One very important point I forgot to add:

SAMPLES

Don't make any decision without getting samples.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

If you need 10+ people for both cash games and tournaments, get 700 nexgens, a nice case and have one of the label makers make you some labels. My 700 cost me just under $250 shipped, labelled, cased, racked. They are definitely adequate and a BIG step up from my old super diamonds.

If you play the same game all the time with 10 or fewer people, get 3 colors of pokerchips.com edgespot chips, no inlay, 500ct. At 0.50 each they are a bargain. Long wait but real clay chips, not plastic.

Seeing as this purchase will commemorate an anniversary I would say get the pc.com chips, they will be beautiful for a lifetime.

GET SAMPLES!

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

if you can get up the scratch, you should get the suits. they're the nicest non-denoms you can get.

otherwise, the nexgens are okay, and the project aspect of it is fun. they aren't clay, though, and are a step up, but still slugged. i got 500 nexgens labled for a relative for about $150.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

One interesting thing I found about pokerchips.com is that the chips are manufactured in New Brunswick, Canada and then shipped to Portland for finishing (custom labels, I imagine). That's probably why it takes so long to get them.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Go for pokerchips.com blank chip with edge spots. 50 cents a chip and you choose both the chip and spot colors. Only problem is the long wait for shipping.
Good luck,
Matt

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Sounds like Nexgens fit the description of what you are looking for perfectly. They sound much closer to clay than the EBay specials you refer to, feel nice in your hand, and can be customized with labels. My set of 1000, including a cheap case and labels for all 1000, plus shipping, was $280.00.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

RE: Samples..

Yep - that I will definitely be doing first. Samples, samples and more samples [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I think I've got the choices narrowed down. I really, really like the look of those classic clay chips with the multi-colored edgespots. They are really neat. The James Bond/Martini Club chips have the best, but have other undesirable characteristics and are too expensive.

So I'm deciding in between the NexGens and the pokerchip.com chips. The NexGens have a "River Poker Tour" line that has multicolored edge spots that look pretty good. I think I'll get samples of both and see where it goes from there.

Thanks again everyone. [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

If you are going to get some samples, try 5star. You can order individual chips and you get a much better feeling for the chips when you hold 5, 10 or even 20. Also helps to let you know how well they stack.

If you are going to look at the RPT Nexgens also take a look at the Nexgen 8000 series. They have a cross hatched pattern to them that the RPT's don't have which alters the feel somewhat. Also, the White, Blue and Red RPTs are slightly different in that they have spots on the sides of the chip. There have been rumors about a 4th Nexgen chip with better edge spots coming out but nothing so far.

If someone made the faux clay dice chips with good edge spots, that would be the ultimate cheap chip.

gl

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
One interesting thing I found about pokerchips.com is that the chips are manufactured in New Brunswick, Canada and then shipped to Portland for finishing (custom labels, I imagine). That's probably why it takes so long to get them.

[/ QUOTE ]
The Portland shop actually applies the mold. The labels are not applied there. At least that's what I was told. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

And I agree, with a $250 budget, your best option is pokerchip.com custom chips (you pick body colors and edge spot colors) without inlays. 50¢/ea. is the best deal going. These chips blow away nextgens.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
There have been rumors about a 4th Nexgen chip with better edge spots coming out but nothing so far.

[/ QUOTE ]

Head to thread jack....

what is this rumor?

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

http://www.pokerart.com/barge/2005/chips/info.aspthese chips are 1.10 apeice min order 300.

timmer

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Posted on THP about 2 months ago.

New Nexgen?

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I've played with nexgens, and I don't care for them. They are very heavy. The heaviest chip I've used. I myself have a set from TR King, and I would recommend those. The ones at www.pokerchip.com would be my second choice. Both are made of clay, not composite. Edge spots will cost more, but plain chips from both places, I think, will run you about $0.50 per chip.

Both folks also will send samples. I'd recommend getting some and making your own decision.

Good luck.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Been thinking of getting these next, they're the "razor luck" series (15 grams):

http://theplayasclub.com/catalog/images/1000Razor.jpg

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

I know you've already heard this, but I want to influence you (or anybody) this way if I can [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I would definitely go for the pokerchips.com clay ones. 50 cents a piece with edge spots. You can't beat that. They should last you your lifetime and totally add to the ambiance of your next game.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
Been thinking of getting these next, they're the "razor luck" series (15 grams):

[/ QUOTE ]

they look nice, anyone know anything about these?

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

http://www.theplayasclub.com/catalog/index.php

Check them out there. The owner says that they're clay composite and stack and feel nice.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.theplayasclub.com/catalog/index.php

Check them out there. The owner says that they're clay composite and stack and feel nice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I checked out the website. Seem pretty cool. They do samples?

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

Yeah those are sweet. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of those arrive at my doorstep.

Re: Looking For Nice/Colorful Chips...Higher End
 

[ QUOTE ]
My girlfriend wants to get me a nice set of chips for our anniversary.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please realize that this is the coolest thing ever.