Possible new Stock designs. (1 Viewer)

David Spragg

Flush
Site Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
1,756
Reaction score
4,549
Location
UK
Some of you will recall a couple of years ago I made some 'Emperor' and 'Imperial' chips with a view to introducing them as stock designs but most people felt that trying to replicate Paulson styles wasn't worthwhile so I let it go. (I do actually have a sizeable set of Imperials I will sell off cheap later in this thread)

Anyway, I revisited the idea while at the factory, and although I don't have much time to discuss now and it will probably have to go on the back burner for now, I had a few ideas.
PLEASE REMEMBER when commenting that stock sets are generally purchased as gifts etc. by people that don't really know what they want/can't wait for custom anyway, so the readers here are not really the 'market'.

First idea I had was a circus theme set, probably to do on Elephant & Crown as I figured 2 color pies on that mold would probably be economical made in bulk. Below are a few designs and a couple of color schemes. I used the crown molds purely as I was doing the testing on them at the time but I think they would be cost prohibitive for stock sets. I think I have a few duplicate sample sets for sale also, I'll figure that out when I've sorted the mess on my desk and post further down.

Second idea was a 'cheap' set - amold - maybe a solid and 6 level 1's. I haven't got any design ideas for this one and may even throw it open in the form of a competition. I thought it could be done in one of two ways. Either a fixed design, so they are available off the shelf, or a fixed color series (so they could be pre-assemble) with a choice of maybe 2 or 3 inlay designs, which would merely need applying and final pressing (ie a couple of weeks leadtime).
.
circus1.jpg
circus2.jpg
 
Imperial Set

While I have the numbers to hand and have just located the original pic...

The following set of just over 900 chips is available as a 'lot' for just $900 shipped in the US.

ND white x 100
1 blue x 300
5 red x 192
25 green x 145
100 black x 88
500 purple x 56
1000 orange x 58

I'm not splitting it up, someone else is welcome to :)

imperial.jpg
 
I have no clue as to what your target market would want. I can only speak for myself. I would be interested in a set that pays homage to Mapes or any Vegas/Reno casinos from the 70s-90s.

@AfterTheFact has a Sahara set that is very cool. Even if you dropped the Sahara name and followed a similar colours scheme/design I think that would be awesome.
 
Would love to see the Rounders on the small crown mold as a stock set.

I'm not sure if people would pay a touch over $1000 for a 500 chip set though.
Problem with stock sets is you have to keep maybe 10,000 chips in inventory until the next mold run comes round and that's a lot of cost tied up.
We already new the CSQ & Scroll would be popular by the volume of orders in the original buy via this board alone. The Atlantic hotstamps are quick to make and the inlaid don't have to be kept in large qty as the mold is in use all the time. We didn't make many of the Atlantic HHR and are currently out of a couple of denoms so that's the only one that took me by surprise a bit.
 
I have no clue as to what your target market would want. I can only speak for myself. I would be interested in a set that pays homage to Mapes or any Vegas/Reno casinos from the 70s-90s.

@AfterTheFact has a Sahara set that is very cool. Even if you dropped the Sahara name and followed a similar colours scheme/design I think that would be awesome.

Target market is tough to describe. Appears so far to be mainly people who would otherwise just by a plastic set off eBay for $100.
 
Though not a fan of any circus theme; the colors on the bottom small crown set are really good.
 
Though not a fan of any circus theme; the colors on the bottom small crown set are really good.

Just to say how I got to the color schemes on the two crown sets.
Idea was to pick one color being the sort of standard base color for that denom, then the first set uses a completely contrasting color with it and the second uses a similar color. Couldn't decide between mandarin or retro red on the 5 hence two 5's shown.
 
I think the circus theme could be viable, but not crazy about the execution so far. I don't like the sound of Circus Maximus, I think it sounds silly, and I'm not sold on the big-top tents so far. I like "Atlantique" much more. But if you go that route, maybe go all the way to "Cirque Atlantique." Instead of big tents, with perhaps images of exotic performers (acrobats, lion tamer, tightrope, etc.). Could be kind of early 20th century circus feel.
 
I wish you all the best David. I think this is such a hard business to be in. Of all my friends I can't think of a single one that would be willing to spend anywhere near a buck a chip. However, I am not friends with lawyers and doctors so maybe those people have wives that won't think twice about a birthday gift in the 600-800 range.

I am not loving the Circus theme either. Just my 2c. Maybe something related to gambling or casinos in general might make more of a connection to joe blow poker player. I am trying to think of pop culture references that the average person would latch on to. Without infringing copyrights the big pop culture references to poker or gambling are (just off the top of my head):

- Casino (the movie)
- Ocean's 11 (movie series)
- Poker After Dark
- Rounders (the movie)
- MIT blackjack team
- Bellagio Casino (Las Vegas)
- WSOP

The more I think about it if I was designing a chip for mass market appeal I would just copy one of the old or current Bellagio themes. Everyone knows about the Bellagio even if they are not fans of gambling or Vegas.
 
I wish you all the best David. I think this is such a hard business to be in. Of all my friends I can't think of a single one that would be willing to spend anywhere near a buck a chip. However, I am not friends with lawyers and doctors so maybe those people have wives that won't think twice about a birthday gift in the 600-800 range.

I am not loving the Circus theme either. Just my 2c. Maybe something related to gambling or casinos in general might make more of a connection to joe blow poker player. I am trying to think of pop culture references that the average person would latch on to. Without infringing copyrights the big pop culture references to poker or gambling are (just off the top of my head):

- Casino (the movie)
- Ocean's 11 (movie series)
- Poker After Dark
- Rounders (the movie)
- MIT blackjack team
- Bellagio Casino (Las Vegas)
- WSOP

The more I think about it if I was designing a chip for mass market appeal I would just copy one of the old or current Bellagio themes. Everyone knows about the Bellagio even if they are not fans of gambling or Vegas.

Problem is that the Bellagio themes use expensive spot patterns which would put the set prices even higher.
 
There are 4 different circus sets below. I've now got just 1 of each set available if anyone wants them. Imperfections will have to be tolerated :)
$15 shipped a set takes them.

circus3.jpg
 
Last edited:
Just to say how I got to the color schemes on the two crown sets.
Idea was to pick one color being the sort of standard base color for that denom, then the first set uses a completely contrasting color with it and the second uses a similar color. Couldn't decide between mandarin or retro red on the 5 hence two 5's shown.

I like the complimentary colors of the small crown 1/4 pies A LOT.

Both mandarin and retro red's are excellent and I think either would work fine. After many many iterations I decided on Retro for my "5" denom dragons from you all. It's just a little brighter and more vibrant of a red, IMHO.
 
I think there is a market for real clay casino quality chips as gifts etc for people who aren't chip freaks. I have a buddy whose wife spent a LOT of money on what ended up being heavy dice chips in a very nice lacquered box as a Christmas present for him.

My thoughts:
- The mold needs to be something nondescript otherwise you're pigeonholed. Something like CSQ, DIASQ, roman not A, B, horsehead, jockey etc. The A mold without the A would be perfect!
- Don't offer chip colour customization options, this will probably be too much effort for people to worry about, just offer a pre-determined set
- Make standard 5c, 25c, $1, $5, $25, $100, $500 to cover cash and tournament sets. Maybe offer chip breakdown customization but offer a "recommended" breakdown.
- Maybe custom labels that just let you change one or two things (Mike's Casino, Dave's Casino or est. 1975/1960/1981)
- Offer a nice wooden box for the chips that match the volume (e.g. 400 or 500 chip set)
- If you can make 400 chips with a nice box for of $500 (while still making a profit) then you're golden
- Also offer a premium option (also a fixed set) but with higher level chips for a much higher price (e.g. 400 chips for $1000) to bookend the menu and make your $500 offering seem reasonable.
- Include your contact details in the box for "add-ons" :)
 
Your colour selections on the 1/4 pie SCROWN set are nice. Would need a blank value as well
 
I think there is a market for real clay casino quality chips as gifts etc for people who aren't chip freaks. I have a buddy whose wife spent a LOT of money on what ended up being heavy dice chips in a very nice lacquered box as a Christmas present for him.

My thoughts:
- The mold needs to be something nondescript otherwise you're pigeonholed. Something like CSQ, DIASQ, roman not A, B, horsehead, jockey etc. The A mold without the A would be perfect!
- Don't offer chip colour customization options, this will probably be too much effort for people to worry about, just offer a pre-determined set
- Make standard 5c, 25c, $1, $5, $25, $100, $500 to cover cash and tournament sets. Maybe offer chip breakdown customization but offer a "recommended" breakdown.
- Maybe custom labels that just let you change one or two things (Mike's Casino, Dave's Casino or est. 1975/1960/1981)
- Offer a nice wooden box for the chips that match the volume (e.g. 400 or 500 chip set)
- If you can make 400 chips with a nice box for of $500 (while still making a profit) then you're golden
- Also offer a premium option (also a fixed set) but with higher level chips for a much higher price (e.g. 400 chips for $1000) to bookend the menu and make your $500 offering seem reasonable.
- Include your contact details in the box for "add-ons" :)

The Amold is the only one that would allow any options, otherwise the customer could be waiting 6 months for the chips. A 400 chip set in a box for $500 is an absolute impossibility.
 
Agree that that the bottom 1/4 pie set (monotone) looks best.

Having a theme is a good thing, the Pharoah’s line Is the most popular selling home line and plenty of people still want them.

I can see a circus design on the E&C mold being a big seller if the design is right.

Perhaps follow the success of the Pharoah’s and have different art work on each chip.

Lion, tent, elephant, clown, high wire act, etc...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nex
The Amold is the only one that would allow any options, otherwise the customer could be waiting 6 months for the chips. A 400 chip set in a box for $500 is an absolute impossibility.
I know nothing about pricing, 400 chips in a box for $600? $700? $800? My point is not the price; it's the standard offering, in a box, with a pre-defined breakdown to make non-chippers have an easy option to buy. I never noticed that you already have this option in your stock sets! I'm always looking at custom chips :)

Maybe in the "Stock Sets" on your website, include an "gift" page where you have the pre-defined 300 or 500 sets in a box.
 
most people play Holdem when they get together. Some of them also consider themselves a club. How about like "the Holdem club" or "H" club for short?...
 
I know nothing about pricing, 400 chips in a box for $600? $700? $800? My point is not the price; it's the standard offering, in a box, with a pre-defined breakdown to make non-chippers have an easy option to buy. I never noticed that you already have this option in your stock sets! I'm always looking at custom chips :)

Maybe in the "Stock Sets" on your website, include an "gift" page where you have the pre-defined 300 or 500 sets in a box.

This is a good suggestion. Well thought out sets with appropriate quantities of denominations. For example:
-“micro” cash
-“standard” cash
-“tournament” set

Price points would be whatever it has to be based on number and type of chip.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nex
Tropical Beach theme?
Most people love the beach.

I love Beaches.
Or would this be a problem with Key West?
 
I like the quarter pie circus set on the e&c mold idea. It’s a cool looking set.

Given that the cards in poker have a medieval/royal theme, couldn’t you just go with something super generic like royal club, kings club, queens clubs, Knights club or something similar.

Or take the emporers theme up a notch and go full Roman with it, like the pharaohs. You could have Roman imagery in there like the coliseum, weapons etc.
 
I understand going with a simple edge spot pattern to keep cost of production down. But then go all out on the inlay design to make up for the lack of variety of edge spots. Any really well done design will sell.

I was drawn to the Pharoah’s set because of the design in spite of the lack of variety with the edge spots and the ugly Paulson mold.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom