New Member - Down the Rabbit Hole (1 Viewer)

[JayUrban]

Hi From Arizona!

I've hosted games for a long time with a cheap set up, but recently inherited a really nice table from my mom who hosted games. I decided I wanted to step up my chips to match the table but when I started doing some research I ended up here and going down what seems like a deep rabbit hole. I immediately found myself interested paulsons and clay chips in general only to be dissapointed that of course they are the most expensive variety of chips (sorry I am new to a lot of the lingo). This discouraged me so I bought a hold over set for cheap while I ordered some samples to see if it was just the way they looked online (also 1$s that I dont have pictured). Since I've just lurked without an account looking at dream purchases.

After getting my hands on some samples I realized I'm definitely not happy to settle on the hold overs. So here I am on my search for a cash game set that I can be happy with. The horseshoe chips were used at my moms game so I originally wanted to match them with the table, but they belonged to a friend who set a price I thought was outrageous. Some time on here has taught me his price was a little more reasonable than I thought but still too high even compared to listings I've seen here.

I dont have my heart set on the horseshoe chips anymore but I've realized I prefer the feel, sound and look of clay chips. Some ceramics Ive sampled seem okay but it is a hit or miss from what I've seen. And I know it might be hard to tell from just a picture but can anyone tell me what type of chips the last photo are? They are from a friend's game but he didnt know. I know they're from China but I was actually surprised that besides the clay chips these are probably second for me.

 

[CardRally]

Welcome!

Let’s see that table.

Horseshoes are pretty great. You could possibly make them an offer based on fair market value.

Last pic looks like Tina Cards Mold to me.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/tina-cards-mold-no-mold-greek-mold-web-mold-showcase.110561/

 

[Kam]

Welcome!

What’s your rough $ budget for the set and we can maybe give some ideas?

If you are considering the chips your friend has, they have come a long way, a ‘newer’ hybrid version is pretty good bang for the buck and lots of options - strongly recommend the hybrid version over the card mold. They are not clay but still decent and lots of folk have bought them:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chips-web-jester-greek-sun-tangiers-may-2026.142426/

GL

 

[Tonysquander]

Welcome to PCF!

 

[JayUrban]

Welcome!

Let’s see that table.

Horseshoes are pretty great. You could possibly make them an offer based on fair market value.

Last pic looks like Tina Cards Mold to me.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/tina-cards-mold-no-mold-greek-mold-web-mold-showcase.110561/

Thank you! I dont have room to have it setup all the time but here it is deconstructed. Setting it up is usually a two man job due to how heavy it is.

They're definitely Tina Card Molds! Thank you!

 

[JayUrban]

Welcome!

What’s your rough $ budget for the set and we can maybe give some ideas?

If you are considering the chips your friend has, they have come a long way, a ‘newer’ hybrid version is pretty good bang for the buck and lots of options - strongly recommend the hybrid version over the card mold. They are not clay but still decent and lots of folk have bought them:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chips-web-jester-greek-sun-tangiers-may-2026.142426/

GL

My rough budget is 1k$-3k$ but that sadly seems to be a bit short for a full set of clays from what I've seen. If I find something perfect I may go higher but for my first set I don't know. I need roughly 1000-1500 chips in 1/5/25/100 denominations. I don't think Im getting the horshoes, the big problem is he'd want to get rid of all of them and he has a set of 42 racks so WAY more than I need. The other thing is I've come to love some other sets like the terribles and faro dunes.

This may be a dumb question but what is better about the hybrids vs tinas?

 

[Kam]

Not a dumb question. The hybrid is a newer version offered by Tina. As opposed to a flat chip with the middle area printed/dyed, you have a recess with an inlayed label.

Left is card mold, right is hybrid web mold with recess inlay and label - general consensus is these are a big improvement:

What stakes do you play for how many folk? 1,000-1,500 is a big set for a cash game. Can maybe help with the breakdown so you $ go further. Cash sets are usually in the 600-800 size.

 

[Winslow2918]

Hello and welcome!

DM me if I can help. I have a few of of each for you to test, shipping only. Just let me know if you are interested.

 

[JayUrban]

Not a dumb question. The hybrid is a newer version offered by Tina. As opposed to a flat chip with the middle area printed/dyed, you have a recess with an inlayed label.

Left is card mold, right is hybrid web mold with recess inlay and label - general consensus is these are a big improvement:

View attachment 1675640

What stakes do you play for how many folk? 1,000-1,500 is a big set for a cash game. Can maybe help with the breakdown so you $ go further. Cash sets are usually in the 600-800 size.

Oh yeah there is a clear visual difference. The hybrids look like they have a lot more texture to them too as opposed to the flat tinas. The price on the hybrids looks really good too.

Normally 1/2 or 2/5 with anywhere from 8-12 people over the course of the night. Based on games I've hosted I would want to be able to support up to at least 12k$ with whatever chips I end up getting. I was thinking 200/1's, 600/5's, 300/25's, 100/100's roughly for denominations, but I am open to suggestions.

 

[JayUrban]

Hello and welcome!

DM me if I can help. I have a few of of each for you to test, shipping only. Just let me know if you are interested.

That'd be amazing! That's been my biggest concern is not being able to feel and see the chips myself. I can't quite DM yet, but that shouldn't stay that way for long.

 

[Kam]

My rough budget is 1k$-3k$ but that sadly seems to be a bit short for a full set of clays from what I've seen. If I find something perfect I may go higher but for my first set I don't know. I need roughly 1000-1500 chips in 1/5/25/100 denominations. I don't think Im getting the horshoes, the big problem is he'd want to get rid of all of them and he has a set of 42 racks so WAY more than I need. The other thing is I've come to love some other sets like the terribles and faro dunes.

This may be a dumb question but what is better about the hybrids vs tinas?

Recommend you check out @Jers28 sale post:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ablancas-price-reduction.143002/#post-2901872

He has a large set available, total for all chips is slightly above your budget. However for $2,750, you could get a partial set:

2 racks of $2s $275/rack
3 racks of $5s $275/rack
2 racks of $25s $350/rack
1 rack of black $100s $675

You’d need to get some overlabels for the $2s to convert to $1s and likely a separate rack of fracs. This would get you $16.7k in bank and would easily cover lots of games up to very deep $2/$3+

 

[Winslow2918]

No worries, let me know.

 

[Winslow2918]

Just tell @Kam I need a discount.

 

[JayUrban]

Recommend you check out @Jers28 sale post:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ablancas-price-reduction.143002/#post-2901872

He has a large set available, total for all chips is slightly above your budget. However for $2,750, you could get a partial set:

2 racks of $2s $275/rack
3 racks of $5s $275/rack
2 racks of $25s $350/rack
1 rack of black $100s $675

You’d need to get some overlabels for the $2s to convert to $1s and likely a separate rack of fracs. This would get you $16.7k in bank and would easily cover lots of games up to very deep $2/$3+

Those are some beautiful chips. I actually saw that post earlier today which is where I got my rough denominations from. I didnt even think how much cheaper it'd be taking out only 4 racks. His price seems to be a lot better than most paulsons I see but I dont know if that is related to the label.

He says he could relabel the $2 to $1 but how much does that sort of service normally cost. I cant imagine it is something I could do on my own right? And fracs are just .25 and .50 cent chips right?

 

[Jers28]

Those are some beautiful chips. I actually saw that post earlier today which is where I got my rough denominations from. I didnt even think how much cheaper it'd be taking out only 4 racks. His price seems to be a lot better than most paulsons I see but I dont know if that is related to the label.

He says he could relabel the $2 to $1 but how much does that sort of service normally cost. I cant imagine it is something I could do on my own right? And fracs are just .25 and .50 cent chips right?

DM incoming

 

[Winslow2918]

Yep @Jers28 has a lovely set. Cannot speak to the labeling.

Great seller!

 

[Kam]

Those are some beautiful chips. I actually saw that post earlier today which is where I got my rough denominations from. I didnt even think how much cheaper it'd be taking out only 4 racks. His price seems to be a lot better than most paulsons I see but I dont know if that is related to the label.

He says he could relabel the $2 to $1 but how much does that sort of service normally cost. I cant imagine it is something I could do on my own right? And fracs are just .25 and .50 cent chips right?

Yep, dude is legit and the chips look in excellent condition.

It’s actually pretty easy to ‘overlabel’ chips, you can also remove and put a new label on - more effort though. There’s folk and vendors online here who can either do it for you (think Jers might offer) and I’ve redone an entire set.

Correct on the fracs, usually it’s a $0.25 denom. Depending on your stakes you might not need them, but most folk have 1 rack of $0.25.

GL

 

[Sway]

Welcome!!

 

[SixSeven]

Hello and welcome!! Glad you finally joined. You mentioned you wanted Faro Dunes! I love their sets. Here is an ad currently you could go for. Maybe what you need.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/faro-dunes-cash-set-840-pieces.143116/

I also love the Tina Hybrids. Just got a set myself a couple months ago and very happy with them. Get samples if you can. Anyone will tell you that on here!!

Start here as well: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

good luck!

 

[Fran]

Welcome to the forum !

 

[JayUrban]

Yep, dude is legit and the chips look in excellent condition.

It’s actually pretty easy to ‘overlabel’ chips, you can also remove and put a new label on - more effort though. There’s folk and vendors online here who can either do it for you (think Jers might offer) and I’ve redone an entire set.

Correct on the fracs, usually it’s a $0.25 denom. Depending on your stakes you might not need them, but most folk have 1 rack of $0.25.

GL

Yeah I DMed with him a little. He made a very generous offer to relabel them too. I’m still thinking about it. The chips look in great condition I’m just not sure about the design of the 5$ chips. Plus the black 100s sold which I prefer. It is my first time spending this kind of money I chips so I want to be certain.

May not be a bad idea to get a rack of two of fracs but it’d definitely be in a follow up purchase.