European with lots of questions- First Set - Microstakes (5 Viewers)

I'm looking at you guys' chip breakdowns for hours like its the end of the world and I won't be able to buy more chips for the next 100 years :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:


Learning towards

140/200/160/80/20 or 120/200/180/80/20
(5c/25c/1$/5$/20$)

Do I even need the 20$?
Do I even need 600 versus 500?

Someone pull the trigger for me pleaseeeee
OK, here is your decision! LOL for my comments in the other threads. Glad you settled on these as they are a special set that I had a hand in putting together.

You have gotten LOTS of great advice. Only reason I'm going to add to it is because I've been playing the exact games you are planning on. I play almost exclusively nickel / dime blinds cash games. EVERY cash set I own has nickels. (I have 3 that are playable and 3 more that I'm putting together) I play with family and friends who mostly play very little poker, and who don't know all the intricacies that PCF people do.

Having said all this - I PROMISE you - if you are trying to keep numbers down, you don't need more than 100 nickel chips. But still, order 120 so you have extras or in case a couple get broken in shipping. Same with every denomination. Even in a nickel / dime game, the quarter is still the workhorse chip. And once your guys get a little experience under their best, the $1 will also be a secondary workhorse chip. Think this way - You only need 2 chips to limp in. After that, most raises will include quarters. If you limp at 10 cents, then someone raises to a quarter and you call, you're going to pull back your nickel chips and put in a quarter. 10 nickels per player is plenty.

Do get 200 quarters. You got that right.

Bump your $1s up to 200 or more. If (WHEN) your game grows, you'll be glad to have a few more.

Bump the $5s up to 100. And DO get the $20s, if for no other reason than they are the coolest chip in the set! Seriously, even on a budget, adding in an extra 100 chips is $28. You will kick yourself and regret it if a year from now your guys want to play a little bigger and you don't have enough chips. For color variation reasons, it's always best to order ALL the chips you think you might need at the same time. Adding on from a different batch could result in chips with two different shades of the same color.

And finally, if you are not in a huge hurry to place your order, PM me and I will set you up with some samples. I have some leftovers from the group buy and I think I can get a padded mailer to you in Portugal for a reasonable shipping amount. My treat to a new chipper. Just no promise how long it might take.
 
OK, here is your decision! LOL for my comments in the other threads. Glad you settled on these as they are a special set that I had a hand in putting together.

You have gotten LOTS of great advice. Only reason I'm going to add to it is because I've been playing the exact games you are planning on. I play almost exclusively nickel / dime blinds cash games. EVERY cash set I own has nickels. (I have 3 that are playable and 3 more that I'm putting together) I play with family and friends who mostly play very little poker, and who don't know all the intricacies that PCF people do.

Having said all this - I PROMISE you - if you are trying to keep numbers down, you don't need more than 100 nickel chips. But still, order 120 so you have extras or in case a couple get broken in shipping. Same with every denomination. Even in a nickel / dime game, the quarter is still the workhorse chip. And once your guys get a little experience under their best, the $1 will also be a secondary workhorse chip. Think this way - You only need 2 chips to limp in. After that, most raises will include quarters. If you limp at 10 cents, then someone raises to a quarter and you call, you're going to pull back your nickel chips and put in a quarter. 10 nickels per player is plenty.

Do get 200 quarters. You got that right.

Bump your $1s up to 200 or more. If (WHEN) your game grows, you'll be glad to have a few more.

Bump the $5s up to 100. And DO get the $20s, if for no other reason than they are the coolest chip in the set! Seriously, even on a budget, adding in an extra 100 chips is $28. You will kick yourself and regret it if a year from now your guys want to play a little bigger and you don't have enough chips. For color variation reasons, it's always best to order ALL the chips you think you might need at the same time. Adding on from a different batch could result in chips with two different shades of the same color.

And finally, if you are not in a huge hurry to place your order, PM me and I will set you up with some samples. I have some leftovers from the group buy and I think I can get a padded mailer to you in Portugal for a reasonable shipping amount. My treat to a new chipper. Just no promise how long it might take.
Would be interested in some samples if OP doesn't take you up on your offer. Also thinking about Arias for my first chip set. I've only seen the photos and read about all the hype, so the forum picked Arias for me hahah. Thanks!
 
Also, don't stress too much. You don't need to nail it perfectly (there is no perfectly). Whatever you end up with will work just fine.

That said, prefer spending too much and getting too many (and then don't worry about having too many; it's fine). That's better than spending too little and getting too few, if for no other reason than a) it's annoying to play with fewer than you would like and b) it's annoying to have to place another order for an add-on and wait for them to arrive. If the thought of spending, say, 1.5x your original estimate gives you anxiety, then you may need to realistically reassess your budget and choice of chips.

Consider the extra money spent on more than you need a "confidence upcharge". You can be confident that you have more than enough to spread a game that you and your players will enjoy. Confidence is rewarding and valuable.
 
Seriously, even on a budget, adding in an extra 100 chips is $28. You will kick yourself and regret it if a year from now your guys want to play a little bigger and you don't have enough chips. For color variation reasons, it's always best to order ALL the chips you think you might need at the same time. Adding on from a different batch could result in chips with two different shades of the same color.
Thank you all for the feedback.
Yeah I think I'm overthinking it . I'm probably going to go 140/200/160/80/20 for 600 chips and start playing 5c/5c (5$ buy in ) and then 5c/10c (10-20$ buy in).

The quote above got me thinking that I might just buy 800 to give more flexibility.

Giving a breakdown for other ppl like me ( take in account this is for Lisbon,Portugal so shipping may vary):

500 Chips : 0.28€/chip * 500 chips + 150€ Shipping = 290€
600 Chips : 0.28€/chip * 600 chips + 160€ Shipping = 328€
800 Chips : 0.28€/chip * 800 chips + 180€ shipping = 404€


Okay so now I'm deciding between:
1)600 vs 800 chips
2) I'm questioning my decision to go ARIA's Cards Mold instead of other. I like it for the standard vegas colors and for being an iconic casino but the colors are less vibrant compared to something like this:
1659104966164.png


I'm talking to @mattross1313 (the design of these) about it , I might change my choice.
So Aria's Cards Mold versus Nakatomi Plaza Cards Mold ? Opinions?


3)
Also , my decision to go to 800 chips depends HEAVILY on getting a Case to fit all those chips , we will do games at each other's houses so I prefer to store them in a case instead of having them displayed so I can have storage+ travel option in the same case :)
So finding cases is also another challenge that I have now. I love the Apache 4800 but it doesnt seem available for europeans. If there's some europeans out there that want to share their case options it would be nice :D
@Xzk1 this thread has been great! I'm trying to figure out all of this stuff too and you asked pretty much every question I had haha. Thanks!
Yeah I created this thread for me but also to help other people , especially because outside of the US the options might not be as feasible ( like for chips/cases/chip trays/cut cards/cards)
 

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Amazon pricing are weird, there are different pricing for different colour you will need to select them one by one

The price usually shift from $50+ to $100, i checked them often so I can get them when the price is at the lower end

I gotten my first case at $56 and most recently 2 case at $23

The pricing rose to $46 shortly after I bought them and currently are selling at $66 usd just to show how crazy Amazon pricing work
 
Who makes those “tubes” you’re using? And what is the proper name for them?
Thanks!

They are from China Aliexpress. Same Seller as the Card Mold Seller (Tina)

They Matsui-like Rack but more affordable for me price-wise ( <$3usd including shipping).

I brought like 70 of them in one shipment to save on shipping cost, :rolleyes: but already used most of them.

Will need to plan for another purchase of them soon

CBC273D9-7BCB-484B-85D7-C4E3BDF3FAA0.jpeg
8A5B82DD-923C-4DD9-8D71-CE5D1D903177.jpeg
 
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They are from China Aliexpress. Same Seller as the Card Mold Seller (Tina)

They Matsui-like Rack but more affordable for me price-wise ( <$3usd including shipping).

I brought like 70 of them in one shipment to save on shipping cost, :rolleyes: but already used most of them.

Will need to plan for another purchase of it soon

View attachment 957703View attachment 957704
Thanks! They look perfect for travel. Will have to snag some soon. And you ran through almost 70 already?!?! That’s awesome hahah. I’m guessing you’ve got a great collection.
 
Thank I still consider myself newbie for my collection, I am more of a bargain collecter so I don’t have many expensive set but a large variety of different type of chip set

View attachment 957720View attachment 957721View attachment 957723
I’m a bargain kinda guy myself too hahah. Hoping to build up a collection soon. I’ve got a set of Card Mold New China Club chips coming soon. So that’s a start!
If you end up doing an order for more of those tube rack things, and if it’s worth combining orders, let me know! I’d be interested in buying a few for now and future use, 30 of them maybe?
Thanks for sharing the pics too!
 
Amazon pricing are weird, there are different pricing for different colour you will need to select them one by one

The price usually shift from $50+ to $100, i checked them often so I can get them when the price is at the lower end

I gotten my first case at $56 and most recently 2 case at $23

The pricing rose to $46 shortly after I bought them and currently are selling at $66 usd just to show how crazy Amazon pricing work
Well for non-us the cheapest Nanuk 910 is 96€
Still looking for cheaper options,if I don't find it it might be this.


As for the Chip trays, I'm not there yet but probably will buy from Tina or Aliexpress.

From Tina the breakdown of Chip trays is :
Without lid: $0.90 / tray + Shipping 22$ (yikes)
1659109894969.png



1659110343423.png

With Lid : $ 1/each + shipping (probably 22 $)

Chip boxes ( like the ones that @LeLe posted above)
1.5 $/each + Shipping( 25$)


Not THAT budget for me but I will probably buy it from Tina aswell.


Now deciding between
-600 vs 800 chips
- which set to choose : Nakatumi Plaza vs Aria's
- budget case for 600-800 chips (EU)
 
I’ve got a set of Card Mold New China Club chips coming soon
Nice, I also start off with a NCC Card mold myself.

I took a bit of time (six months from the day I joined ) to research before purchasing my first Paulson Set (Jack Cincinnati) from TheChipRoom Sales

1659111063012.png


If you end up doing an order for more of those tube rack things, and if it’s worth combining orders, let me know! I’d be interested in buying a few for now and future use, 30 of them maybe?
I from Southeast Asia, it will be more worth-while if you will to combine shipping with someone near your area. Or just buy a bigger lot and resell them later if you don't need all of them

Thanks for sharing the pics too!
You are welcome

Well for non-us the cheapest Nanuk 910 is 96€
Still looking for cheaper options,if I don't find it it might be this.
I also from Non-US, in fact if anything it should be more expensive for me since I from Asia whereas Nanuk manufacturing are from Canada

Are you maybe not looking at the right Amazon, example you looking at Amazon US instead of Amazon EU etc
 
They are from China Aliexpress. Same Seller as the Card Mold Seller (Tina)

They Matsui-like Rack but more affordable for me price-wise ( <$3usd including shipping).

I brought like 70 of them in one shipment to save on shipping cost, :rolleyes: but already used most of them.

Will need to plan for another purchase of them soon

View attachment 957703View attachment 957704
70 isn't bad that's only 3500 chips when stacked top and bottom....or is that 70 as a fair....7000 chips?
 
70 isn't bad that's only 3500 chips when stacked top and bottom....or is that 70 as a fair....7000 chips?
70 rack with top and bottom so for 7000 chips, my drawers are stack with double racks each

I got 8 set total ranging from 600-800 chips each and 1 tourney set at 400

I got a couple racks filled up with extra from each set that will be my backup chips for any damaged or lost chips

Plus a 10th set otw next month, another tourney so 4 more rack

In summary, I think I need an extra drawer from IKEA and 70 more racks maybe from TINA
 
Well for non-us the cheapest Nanuk 910 is 96€
Still looking for cheaper options,if I don't find it it might be this.


As for the Chip trays, I'm not there yet but probably will buy from Tina or Aliexpress.

From Tina the breakdown of Chip trays is :
Without lid: $0.90 / tray + Shipping 22$ (yikes)
View attachment 957726


View attachment 957731
With Lid : $ 1/each + shipping (probably 22 $)

Chip boxes ( like the ones that @LeLe posted above)
1.5 $/each + Shipping( 25$)


Not THAT budget for me but I will probably buy it from Tina aswell.


Now deciding between
-600 vs 800 chips
- which set to choose : Nakatumi Plaza vs Aria's
- budget case for 600-800 chips (EU)
A 650 stainless/aluminum case if available typically holds 750+50 more where the cards would go if your pressed. perhaps thinking outside the norm and look for a small tool box? these hold 2600 and 3600 each but smaller could be available at your hardware store. Bring a chip rack with you and see if they fit.
This is what I use along with some of the stainless cases, 2x birdcages and a old bud Jones casino case that holds 2k chips. Not something you'd carry on a hike but manageable to the trunk of the car and out if needed but know one will ever be running away with your chips lol1643023363890.png
 
I probably sent a PM to every single person on this thread with loads of questions :D

Thank you for answering, you guys have been very helpful!

I'm posting mostly for the EU folks to see the alternatives :) , I will probably update the first post with all the cost info of every single purchase when this saga is concluded :D

Racks: I will probably buy from Tina( wrote the costs in my post above) or https://pokershop.de/Chip-Rack-100_1
There are other alternatives like Aliexpress ( https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005001267186162.html), BRPRO (https://brpropoker.com/products/premium-chipco-branded-acrylic-chip-trays-set-of-10) which can be worth it depending on the shipping.

Case: I saw the popular Apache / Nanuk options but for europeans the prices sometimes double or more so not worth it.
Alternatives for me will be the Wiltec Case https://www.wiltec.de/en/Protective-equipment-case-Camera-Hard-Case-Box-black-M-35x29.5x15cm/61179 ( here is a thread speaking about this case https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/my-wiltec-case-apache-style-for-european.45903/) or a Amazon Basics Case (https://www.amazon.es/AmazonBasics-Funda-Rígida-Cámaras-Pequeña/dp/B01L0LVDJO/) if I can't buy the Wiltec Case.

The only decision that I need to figure out myself is which chips to buy:

Either I buy the Aria's or I buy the Bellagio set that is currently being designed by @Colquhoun (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...io-tribute-copy-set.87840/page-4#post-1918589)

I think I prefer the classic look of the Bellagio chips for cash (Aria's for the tournament high denoms) but as mentioned by Colguhoun he still has to receive his samples from Tina, see if there's any adjustments to be done, begin the GB and that can take some months unfortunately.



I will be battling with myself the next couple days to decide if I wait for the Bellagio set or if I buy the Aria's and then sell it when the Bellagio set becomes available .
 
Do what you want but it sounds like you know you want the Bellagios. I would recommend waiting for what you want... This hobby is even more expensive if you don't have patience.
 
Something that occurred to me as I look at putting together my first set, also at micro-stakes is this.

Some chips have available blanks, for example Milanos. Milanos also lack a nickel chip. I might try using a blank blue chip as a nickel chip if I really felt strongly about buying Milanos.

I'm also consider removing labels from the Dunes $1000 to make a nickel chip that is really bright. Or I might just leave the label alone and tell my players that $1000 is just French for a nickel.

Another option is to borrow a nickel chip from another style. For example, the Pharaoh nickel might work well with the Dunes chips. Of course, Pharaohs work just fine as Pharaohs if you can get them over the pond.

In the end I will probably just stop being fussy and get a set that works out of the box. But it looks like you have fewer choices in your regional market. Maybe these ideas can help you.

Or ::gasp:: use dice chips for nickels. Everyone will want to get rid of them so they will play really loosely until they are off the table.
 
Some updates:
Bought some button/SB & BB(The SB/BB I might need to use it in the beggining for the newer players) on aliexpress: https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005001592009280.html

Boy what a mistake that was, forgot to see the dimensions, these are so so small :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
They will be good enough in the beggining ,will update them later.


Didn't type it here but a few days ago I received some black cut cards from @w00zie ! These will help me a lot in the beggining thank you so much!
I'm not at home to post pics but thanks a lot man!



While I wait for @Colquhoun 's bellagio set to be available, I've changed my focus to the cards.

I'm looking for bridge sized with jumbo index only, I already have the Fournier 2826.
One issue that I have with these cards is that they are very slippery and they are a bit on the stiff side.

So I'm searching for some flexible/not as slippery alternatives to the Fourniers 2826.
Using this guide https://www.pokerchipforum.com/resources/the-redneck-poker-card-database-2-0.76/

I will be focusing on finding the most flexible ones on the list:
1661969272755.png



Unfortunately some of the options here only offer Poker sized jumbo/standard index :(
If someone knows how to get the above mentioned options in the bridge size/jumbo index let me know.. the search continues :unsure:
 
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