Need advice from any experienced chip buyer (2 Viewers)

[JCPug]

Hello! I am new to the poker chip scene and after getting a little spending money, I was thinking about upgrading from a hand-me-down dice chip to something more substantial and exciting. I only recently started getting heavily into poker because of how great it is for social settings and wanted to upgrade my chips and chip count. Currently using dice chips at about 180 chips, I want to get 300pc+. I'm living in Singapore and have a budget of about $800 SGD ($590 USD) including shipping, excluding taxes. Import tax isnt too big at about 8%-9%. I've read a ton of comments on this site about the different categories and price range. So maybe something around 60 cents USD per chip give or take? Any advice would help! Cheers

 

[JCPug]

I understand that buying some sample sets are the best way to go, buy living far in Singapore makes it very difficult to justify that expenditure. Is there any "one and done" sets? Preferably something that you gentlemen know I'd be using for years and years? Much appreciated!

 

[bigblind]

it's a rabbit hole

 

[JCPug]

View attachment 1314187

it's a rabbit hole

oh boy...

 

[Darthhoodie]

Hello and welcome to PCF!

At that price point you are looking at basically 3 options, China clays, traditional ceramics, or hybrid ceramics.

I would suggest the following PCF venders:
China clays: Majestics, Royals, ect from Apache https://www.apachepokerchips.com/

Traditional ceramics: BR Pro Poker https://brpropoker.com/

Ceramic hybrids AKA "Tina chips" Web or Greek mold: These can be bought through a group buy that Broken Arrow has just about once per month.
Here is the current one that ends May 7th
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...s-mold-textured-no-mold-05-2024.118316/unread

You should get samples of all these types of chips and decide which ones you like the best, once you decide on the chips you want, post the type of games you play, the stakes, and the number of people, and we can help you with an efficient breakdown so you don't waist money on chips you don't need.

Getting samples is the most important part because what I like in a chip and what you like can be very different so you need to decide for yourself. All the chips I linked above are worlds better than the dice chips so you can't go wrong with any of them, it will just comes down to what you like as far as look, feel, sound, ect.

Good luck and we hope to here your thoughts on the different sample chips you get and your overall poker chip journey.

 

[JCPug]

Hello and welcome to PCF!

At that price point you are looking at basically 3 options, China clays, traditional ceramics, or hybrid ceramics.

I would suggest the following PCF venders:
China clays: Majestics, Royals, ect from Apache https://www.apachepokerchips.com/

Traditional ceramics: BR Pro Poker https://brpropoker.com/

Ceramic hybrids AKA "Tina chips" Web or Greek mold: These can be bought through a group buy that Broken Arrow has just about once per month.
Here is the current one that ends May 7th
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...s-mold-textured-no-mold-05-2024.118316/unread

You should get samples of all these types of chips and decide which ones you like the best, once you decide on the chips you want, post the type of games you play, the stakes, and the number of people, and we can help you with an efficient breakdown so you don't waist money on chips you don't need.

Getting samples is the most important part because what I like in a chip and what you like can be very different so you need to decide for yourself. All the chips I linked above are worlds better than the dice chips so you can't go wrong with any of them, it will just comes down to what you like as far as look, feel, sound, ect.

Good luck and we hope to here your thoughts on the different sample chips you get and your overall poker chip journey.

Thank you for your two cents. Getting samples suck for me because of the shipping rates which will bleed my budget slowly before I can come to a conclusion. I think I'll check out the links you sent. So far the Apaches look amazing! Been binge watching HobbyPhilic to hear and see them in video. Thank you good sir

 

[Labrat]

There may be minimum quantities involved, but I think you may be able to get an order of Tina chips drop-shipped directly to you for the group buy. You'll have to ask Justin if that's the case.

 

[digirati]

Ceramic hybrids AKA "Tina chips" Web or Greek mold: These can be bought through a group buy that Broken Arrow has just about once per month.
Here is the current one that ends May 7th
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...s-mold-textured-no-mold-05-2024.118316/unread

^^^This is probably your best bet. There's also a "Cards Mold" that is nice.

 

[JCPug]

There may be minimum quantities involved, but I think you may be able to get an order of Tina chips drop-shipped directly to you for the group buy. You'll have to ask Justin if that's the case.

I've just only made this account and completely new. I read that its for USA residents only for the next Tina chips bulk buy. I would love em but I'm not sure if I am eligible. Thank you for your suggestion

^^^This is probably your best bet. There's also a "Cards Mold" that is nice.

I've read and seen videos on those. Do you have any comments on the cards mold? I've already checked em out on Alibaba. Was contemplating it but I am hesitating. Much appreciated

 

[Darthhoodie]

If you want my opinion,
Traditional ceramics >= Web Mold/Greek mold > no mold textured > any other China clay = any other Tina mold

This is just my ranking, others would disagree for sure, that's why you need to see for yourself.
Also, don't worry about spending money on the samples, you could always resell them to other new chippers looking to do the same thing you are doing.

Having said that I think the best bang for your buck at this point is the new web mold, at 46c per chip you can get something really high quality. There is a label fee and shipping but even with both you will come in under 60c per.

Here are some pictures because that's what we do here, threads with no pictures of chips are

Sample set of some of the new Web mold chips I just received:

The web mold Sands I ordered:

Here are some stock Br Pro ceramics I sold a while ago:

 

[JCPug]

If you want my opinion,
Traditional ceramics >= Web Mold/Greek mold > no mold textured > any other China clay > any other Tina mold

This is just my ranking, others would disagree for sure, that's why you need to see for yourself.
Also, don't worry about spending money on the samples, you could always resell them to other new chippers looking to do the same thing you are doing.

Having said that I think the best bang for your buck at this point is the new web mold, at 46c per chip you can get something really high quality. There is a label fee and shipping but even with both you will come in under 60c per.

Here are some pictures because that's what we do here, threads with no pictures of chips are

Sample set of some of the new Web mold chips I just received:
View attachment 1314209

The web mold Sands I ordered:

View attachment 1314214

Here are some stock Br Pro ceramics I sold a while ago:

View attachment 1314212

View attachment 1314213

Where can I find Web Mold/Greek mold? I live in Singapore and honestly I'm slowly getting irritated by the lack of good links from google. Theyre throwing me a bunch of fake EPT chips (which kinda look great though) and false advertising on their "high end clay chips" which are just China clays /: If I see Monte Carlo one more time...

 

[Darthhoodie]

I understand that buying some sample sets are the best way to go, buy living far in Singapore makes it very difficult to justify that expenditure. Is there any "one and done" sets? Preferably something that you gentlemen know I'd be using for years and years? Much appreciated!

We have many members in Singapore, maybe reach out to them and see if they have some of these samples around, or maybe they have someone in the US that will collect all the samples and send them to you in one shot only paying the shipping once.

If you are dead set on buying sight unseen I would still recommend the Web mold, I ordered 1000 of them without having them in my hands just because they looked cool lol.

 

[JCPug]

If you want my opinion,
Traditional ceramics >= Web Mold/Greek mold > no mold textured > any other China clay = any other Tina mold

This is just my ranking, others would disagree for sure, that's why you need to see for yourself.
Also, don't worry about spending money on the samples, you could always resell them to other new chippers looking to do the same thing you are doing.

Having said that I think the best bang for your buck at this point is the new web mold, at 46c per chip you can get something really high quality. There is a label fee and shipping but even with both you will come in under 60c per.

Here are some pictures because that's what we do here, threads with no pictures of chips are

Sample set of some of the new Web mold chips I just received:
View attachment 1314209

The web mold Sands I ordered:

View attachment 1314214

Here are some stock Br Pro ceramics I sold a while ago:

View attachment 1314212

View attachment 1314213

Oh! That reminds me, I've been browsing classifieds for quite a few hours and couldn't find a set with my budget. Are these two advertised chips any good? https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/apache-royal-cash-set.117648/

The Apaches seem like a great option because my group follows the denoms hierarchy as white->red->green->blue->etc

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/china-clay-8v-limit-set.118021/

This one seems like a good price. But the amount is insane so the shipping will kill me. (not a huge problem but still a little bit of an annoyance)

 

[Darthhoodie]

Where can I find Web Mold/Greek mold? I live in Singapore and honestly I'm slowly getting irritated by the lack of good links from google. Theyre throwing me a bunch of fake EPT chips (which kinda look great though) and false advertising on their "high end clay chips" which are just China clays /: If I see Monte Carlo one more time...

Use the link to Broken arrow group buy.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...s-mold-textured-no-mold-05-2024.118316/unread
Scroll to the top and read the instructions on what you can get, and how to order, they have a bunch of predesigned chips you can order so look through all the links.

 

[digirati]

I've just only made this account and completely new. I read that its for USA residents only for the next Tina chips bulk buy. I would love em but I'm not sure if I am eligible. Thank you for your suggestion


I've read and seen videos on those. Do you have any comments on the cards mold? I've already checked em out on Alibaba. Was contemplating it but I am hesitating. Much appreciated

I have samples of the cards mold and think they are great. My large order for the CDI98 sets (on cards mold) is coming soon.

 

[JCPug]

Use the link to Broken arrow group buy.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...s-mold-textured-no-mold-05-2024.118316/unread
Scroll to the top and read the instructions on what you can get, and how to order, they have a bunch of predesigned chips you can order so look through all the links.

I forgot to mention.. I am not sure if I will be staying in Singapore or moving to Korea in two months or so. So this group buy is not an option for me even though I'm dying inside wanting to join the purchase

 

[Darthhoodie]

I would also PM Justin from Broken Arrow and discuss shipping options, and also reach out to fellow members in Singapore they will be a good resource for you.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/pcf-members-locations.72613/unread

 

[allforcharity]

I understand that buying some sample sets are the best way to go, buy living far in Singapore makes it very difficult to justify that expenditure. Is there any "one and done" sets? Preferably something that you gentlemen know I'd be using for years and years? Much appreciated!

There are about 1 million PCF members in Singapore that probably have local samples. Maybe give @LeLe a shout.

 

[JCPug]

Thank you all for your replies. I just checked shipping rates and realized none of this is realistic... Any shipment from USA area to Singapore for a 500pc chip is upwards $300.

 

[Labrat]

@justincarothers might be able to work with you.

 

[Darthhoodie]

Ya maybe Air shipped from China to Singapore is the way, doesn't hurt to ask.

There are about 1 million PCF members in Singapore that probably have local samples. Maybe give @LeLe a shout.

^^^This +1000

 

[LeLe]

Thank you all for your replies. I just checked shipping rates and realized none of this is realistic... Any shipment from USA area to Singapore for a 500pc chip is upwards $300.

I might have a Clay set selling that just about your budget if you are interested, it cost me more than what i selling for

 

[JCPug]

I might have a Clay set selling that might be just above your budget if you are interested, it cost me more than what i selling for

Sent you a pm!

 

[Taghkanic]

Oh! That reminds me, I've been browsing classifieds for quite a few hours and couldn't find a set with my budget. Are these two advertised chips any good? https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/apache-royal-cash-set.117648/

The Apaches seem like a great option because my group follows the denoms hierarchy as white->red->green->blue->etc

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/china-clay-8v-limit-set.118021/

This one seems like a good price. But the amount is insane so the shipping will kill me. (not a huge problem but still a little bit of an annoyance)

The Apache Royals and Majestics are solid options in your price range. Can’t go too far wrong.

The Royals are larger (43mm not 39mm) but personally I only use oversized chips for very high denoms to set them apart.

These two options also play well together. So for example if you had a Majestics cash set, you might add a few Royals for your highest denomination.

Note: I know your budget is tight, but you might be a lot happier long-term with 400-500 chips than 300. You could always add on later, but then you’d be paying shipping twice.

 

[Taghkanic]

P.S. The Bank chips from Apache are also very much in the same vein, but with a rail tracks mold instead. I play in a friend’s home game which upgraded from dice chips to Banks and it has been a real upgrade, short of him buying actual clays.

 

[JCPug]

P.S. The Bank chips from Apache are also very much in the same vein, but with a rail tracks mold instead. I play in a friend’s home game which upgraded from dice chips to Banks and it has been a real upgrade, short of him buying actual clays.

Thank you for the feedback! Much appreciated

 

[JCPug]

There are about 1 million PCF members in Singapore that probably have local samples. Maybe give @LeLe a shout.

Thank you so much. You have no idea how insane the coincidence is. I'm 99.99% sure of purchasing LeLe's set. AND HE STAYS SO CLOSE TO ME. The odds are mad.

 

[LeLe]

Thank you so much. You have no idea how insane the coincidence is. I'm 99.99% sure of purchasing LeLe's set. AND HE STAYS SO CLOSE TO ME. The odds are mad.

Yup, i am shocked as well. Walking distance between us.

Do let me know if you are hosting, i can save a lot on grab-fee man.

 

[Darthhoodie]

Thank you so much. You have no idea how insane the coincidence is. I'm 99.99% sure of purchasing LeLe's set. AND HE STAYS SO CLOSE TO ME. The odds are mad.

Ah PCF does it again, matching chips to chippers and chippers to chippers is what we do! Warms the heart.

 

[BillyBluff]