Advice for getting started in the hobby (2 Viewers)

[CardsFlyinHigh]

Hi all. I'm a pretty experienced casino patron but never really dived into chip collecting. But one of my other collecting hobbies is getting too pricey, I was looking for a replacement and read a bit about chip collecting. I thought it would be a lot of fun to build a collection. So my question is, what are the best ways to build a collection? I have one casino in town, another couple within 2 hours and plenty more within a day trip. But I was just hoping to get some tips about the best ways to build a nice and variable collection. Thanks for any help.

 

[BKisback]

Welcome. If you're into collecting, some collect single chips from various casinos, while others here build large, playable sets of high end Paulson, TR King, and other brands of chips. For collecting, there is not a lot of guidance I can give you beyond buying what you like. Some collect $1 chips, others yellow chips, some tournament chips, and yet more still - the possibilities are pretty limitless. Chips are available at all price points, and there are numerous vendors peddling them. Consider a favorite color, number, style, or theme, then go from there. You'll probably find there's something out there that fits your interests.

 

[BSteck]

Here’s a good place to start.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

 

[mr11]

Here’s a good place to start.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

Then when you’re done with this, go here

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...poker-chips-for-beginners-new-members.114884/

 

[sonic242]

You could probably start by robbing banks to fund your habit

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

 

[BNads86]

Yeah - we're more than happy for new people to join the party. But if you're looking to avoid hobbies that get too pricey, delete your account now!!

 

[Huskerchipper]

Ok, I'll say it.....WHAT is the hobby that's more expensive than chip collecting!?!?

 

[Phoe9x]

Ok, I'll say it.....WHAT is the hobby that's more expensive than chip collecting!?!?

Playing poker as a fish

 

[Colquhoun]

I don’t think asking about what we think you should collect is best…I think you should collect what you like. And that opinion may change as you go along, and that makes it even more fun.
I also don’t recommend collecting with investment in mind, just follow what chips you’re drawn to, and have a blast!

 

[BigGrizz]

Ok, I'll say it.....WHAT is the hobby that's more expensive than chip collecting!?!?

Warhammer 40k
Cycling

Done both. Chipping gets beat by those.

 

[UniLover]

Ok, I'll say it.....WHAT is the hobby that's more expensive than chip collecting!?!?

Watches, cars, pew pews.

 

[Huskerchipper]

All true....but I want to know his. This hobby is as expensive as you want it to get. As a pew pew collector I understand but this can get crazy if you are chasing super rare singles.

 

[BPTDirector]

Say good bye to that thing you used to have that you called discretionary money

 

[Chips523]

Buy the chips you want. Don't settle just do it.

 

[LeLe]

But one of my other collecting hobbies is getting too pricey, I was looking for a replacement and read a bit about chip collecting.

I legitimately laughed out when I read this part (sorry haha), unless u are going to just get a cheap Tina set and never come back again after that.

This hobby is going to be as pricey as well

 

[RadicusScout]

Warhammer 40k

CHIPS FOR THE CHIP GOD

Welcome. You're in good company here, methinks.

As you're already well aware with any wallet-thinning hobby, chipping can get out of control way quicker than you realize. I originally came here for chips and then realized I needed dealer buttons, cut cards... and various other accessories. Since you're versed in 40K, this shouldn't surprise you.

As for getting started, the standard advice here is to get samples. There are countless varieties and materials to choose from. You'll ultimately want to physically interact with them - shuffle them, splash them around, etc. Check out some giveaways and the marketplace. Friendly community members often give out samples to newbies so you'll want to keep an eye open for those.

I am curious - when you said you were interested in building a collection - what exactly did you mean? To use a 40K analogy, are you looking to just collect pieces of each faction? If so, we'd probably call this a singles collection. You can pick up loose singles here on this site (oh boy that is going to do wonders for the SEO for this site) or there are trade shows dedicated to collect chips.

Or perhaps you want to collect a playable set for a poker game? That'd be like choosing a faction and start forming an army in 40K. If so, that will take some more work pending on which poker chip you fall in love with. Some chips are near impossible to collect en masse while others are plentiful in supply. It all depends on what you're after.

Overall, give yourself a lot of time with your quest. Enjoy!

 

[BigGrizz]

Sorry. Not OP. 40k and chipping have their parallels. If you are building a kickass army with options to play 2000pt games with different loadouts while being professionally painted, that's like buying a high end Paulson set.

For cycling, getting top level Trek Domane or similar level bike costs more than a Tiger Palace set, plus it has maintenance costs.

This is my measuring stick. I would buy a $1,000 road bike or would have dropped $2k on a home painted 40k army. So for chipping, BRPro is the absolute highest I would go. CPC or NAGB Paulsons are just off the table. Now I will absolutely drop more than these on building a PC but that is hobby #1 that gets the most funding. Chipping is currently #5 for me after PC, cycling, board games, and DnD. Therefore, it gets #5 funding. To be fair DnD is pretty cheap.

 

[upNdown]

Warhammer 40k
Cycling

Done both. Chipping gets beat by those.

Right? Bikes break. Parts wear and break. From a mountain biker perspective anyway. Poker chips don’t need replacing or maintenance or constant lubrication (quiet you whacko chip oilers!)

 

[Colquhoun]

The difference with premium clays like Paulson is that you can buy them, use them, and likely sell them for what you paid. Sometimes more.

 

[allforcharity]

To be fair DnD is pretty cheap.

Not if you buy terrain. I easily have $10-15k invested in Dwarven Forge, and I got most on the "cheap" because I bought during their crowdfunding campaigns.

 

[RadicusScout]

Not if you buy terrain. I easily have $10-15k invested in Dwarven Forge, and I got most on the "cheap" because I bought during their crowdfunding campaigns.

I had a feeling that DnD comment would wake somebody up.

 

[ChipEnvy]

1) You only really need 1 set of chips, maybe two if you play cash and tournament games.
2) Get a custom set (or two) and call it good.
- If you go custom, get lots of feedback from the people here. A well designed set of chips will bring you probably more happiness than any other set.
3) If you are not going custom, just get chips you like. Don't buy in to what other people tell you are "good" chips. Get what makes you happy.
4) If you decide to jump into the fray and actually start collecting sets, don't buy anything as an investment, buy it because you really like what you are buying. If they increase in price great, if not, still great because you love the chips you got.
5) Automatically disregard any classified that lists their chips as "grail" chips. A grail set is never sold and the seller is just trying to make their chips seem more exclusive.
6) Lastly, If you think you do want to start collecting, be prepared to spend money, a lot of money. Not saying it to be Debbie Downer, but you are getting into this game late. Prices seem to have leveled out, but this is expensive as a hobby.

 

[ekricket]

There are no more ladders to owning chips. They have already been scarfed up back in the 60’s like everything else. Of course like houses, chips are typically buried with their owners and nobody ever has a chance to own either again. Good luck with the hunt!