Advice for my first set (1 Viewer)

[Goobus]

Hi everyone, I recently joined the forum if you hadn't already noticed by my "fun player" post count. So my girlfriend wants to get me a poker chip set for my birthday, and when I asked for Monte Carlos she asked me to pick something nicer since she "read a review that the Monte Carlos aren't too great." So after a week of research, I find myself on PCF every day ogling at chip pr0n. But I digress - I'm here to humbly seek the advice of my fellow chip pr0n addicts on my first set for a cash home game my friends and I usually play.

We play HK$5/10 (~US$0.6-1.2, we're not that baller), and currently we have been using the same dice chips I got back in college. After doing a lot of research, I decided that I wanted high quality chips as it seems the more popular higher-end like China clays have issues that I personally would not be okay with (you can't unsee the perfection that are Paulsons). Anyways, I've really fallen in love with the hotstamp aesthetic but as you know there are only hotstamped tourney chips widely available.

What I've come down to are the following options:

1. Use a hotstamped tournament set as a cash set (Paulson GCRs, Atlantic Club H/S, etc)
2. Create a custom spotted hotstamped set from CPC using stock denominations to keep it simple and classic.
3. Create a custom solid hotstamped set from CPC using custom dies (solid to keep costs in line with the other 2 options).

I would say my budget is up to $1500 for a 750-1000 chips, so all the options above should be within that. Is there anything I haven't considered which maybe I should? Any other options that are maybe better? Maybe there's a h/s cash set out there I don't know about?

Thanks!

 

[Poker Zombie]

1. Use a hotstamped tournament set as a cash set (Paulson GCRs, Atlantic Club H/S, etc)
2. Create a custom spotted hotstamped set from CPC using stock denominations to keep it simple and classic.
3. Create a custom solid hotstamped set from CPC using custom dies (solid to keep costs in line with the other 2 options).

1. This would be your cheapest option. There is a chance that someone could buy a chip and slip it into your game on their own, but lets face it - that's unlikely. If anyone was going to cheat you, they would have done it with your dice chips years ago. However, you can get these chips and be playing on them within a month (or however long it takes for stuff to ship to HK)

2. Cheaper than full custom, but you are walking up to the door of true awesomeness but not going inside. Still, you can pick colors and edge-spots. If you've played around with the chip design tool at all, you have probably already ruled out option 1, because having the control of the colors of a set you will eventually own is mind-numbingly addictive. This takes longer because the addictive nature of the chip design tool.

3. By far the best option, but it comes with a high price. First, you have to decide what you want on your chip. You may want to hire a designer to help with the art. Then getting the stamps made is going to cost even more. The reward is a personalized, unique set that looks just the way you want it to. The penalty is that it takes thought, a lot of time (unless you happen to be a graphic artist), and money.

Nobody can tell you which option is "best" for you, any more than someone can tell you which girl is the best for you (though a girl that wants to buy you chips is obviously going to be the correct choice around here).

Enjoy the journey!

 

[Rhodeman77]

How about option 4. Buy a custom set of CPC spotted chips with out any hotstamp or inlays. You can play with them as is.

Once you save up more money, have a custom hot stamp designed and get the chips stamped at that point.

This may be cost prohibitive if you can’t get them stamped in China though. But food for thought.

 

[Pointaker101]

Option 5, make the "girlfriend" the "wife" after telling you to go nicer!

 

[Pointaker101]

On a serious note, welcome to the PCF. While I have no experience with the options you provided, I'm sure you'll find the answers you need here. As of two months ago, I was in a similar situation that you are (dice chipper), and now, well, I'm obsessed.

 

[Goobus]

1. This would be your cheapest option. There is a chance that someone could buy a chip and slip it into your game on their own, but lets face it - that's unlikely. If anyone was going to cheat you, they would have done it with your dice chips years ago. However, you can get these chips and be playing on them within a month (or however long it takes for stuff to ship to HK)

2. Cheaper than full custom, but you are walking up to the door of true awesomeness but not going inside. Still, you can pick colors and edge-spots. If you've played around with the chip design tool at all, you have probably already ruled out option 1, because having the control of the colors of a set you will eventually own is mind-numbingly addictive. This takes longer because the addictive nature of the chip design tool.

3. By far the best option, but it comes with a high price. First, you have to decide what you want on your chip. You may want to hire a designer to help with the art. Then getting the stamps made is going to cost even more. The reward is a personalized, unique set that looks just the way you want it to. The penalty is that it takes thought, a lot of time (unless you happen to be a graphic artist), and money.

Nobody can tell you which option is "best" for you, any more than someone can tell you which girl is the best for you (though a girl that wants to buy you chips is obviously going to be the correct choice around here).

Enjoy the journey!

Thanks! Do you think it'd be a cardinal sin to play cash game with GCR tourney chips? I mean those chips look amazing and there's a mint set right now that @Lars is selling...

I don't have any good designs in mind right now, so maybe I'll save a full custom for my second set after I have more of an idea what I like/dislike and also general do's/don'ts for chip design. Too big of a risk and cost to take for my first set.

How about option 4. Buy a custom set of CPC spotted chips with out any hotstamp or inlays. You can play with them as is.

Once you save up more money, have a custom hot stamp designed and get the chips stamped at that point.

This may be cost prohibitive if you can’t get them stamped in China though. But food for thought.

That's actually a decent idea (but blank chips ugh)! Do you have any idea where in China I can get hotstamping services? I live in Hong Kong so it shouldn't be too hard.

Option 5, make the "girlfriend" the "wife" after telling you to go nicer!

We're getting married in March

 

[BGinGA]

In your particular case, I think using chips without a currency symbol is fine..... and preferred over using chips with an inaccurate symbol.

 

[Pointaker101]

Congrats!

 

[Goobus]

In your particular case, I think using chips without a currency symbol is fine..... and preferred over using chips with an inaccurate symbol.

So you also vote for the blank chip first, hot stamp later idea?

 

[BGinGA]

Not in your case.

 

[Rhodeman77]

So you also vote for the blank chip first, hot stamp later idea?

I think he means using the $ as what is on US casino chips. While a tournament set doesn’t use any currency sign. So a tournament set would actually work well for you.

 

[nitzilla]

As of two months ago, I was in a similar situation that you are (dice chipper), and now, well, I'm obsessed.

Good job everyone, mission accomplished.......

 

[crussader]

I agree that a tournament set without dollar signs is the way to go for your situation. The GCRs are great chips, but they would leave you needing to add a non matching "5" chip.

 

[Goobus]

I agree that a tournament set without dollar signs is the way to go for your situation. The GCRs are great chips, but they would leave you needing to add a non matching "5" chip.

I think he means using the $ as what is on US casino chips. While a tournament set doesn’t use any currency sign. So a tournament set would actually work well for you.

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far guys.

I was thinking I could get a GCR set and get a rack or two of Atlantic Club 5's, or some other Paulson suits mold 5's. Obviously it's not an ideal solution, but it could do. Alternatively I could just get a full set of CPC Atlantic Club tourney chips - how would that compare to the Paulson GCRs?

I don't mind too much about the $ symbols, as we also use $ in Hong Kong.

I wouldn't suppose there are any nice hot stamped cash sets out there?

 

[Poker Zombie]

Thanks! Do you think it'd be a cardinal sin to play cash game with GCR tourney chips? I mean those chips look amazing and there's a mint set right now that @Lars is selling...

This is completely acceptable.

If I'm not mistaken, the HK Dollar uses the "$"

EDIT: Goobus confirmed the second part.

 

[crussader]

Even though HK uses the $, playing 5/10 means that plenty of 100s, 500s, and maybe 1000s will be needed. It will be easier to find those denominations in tournament sets, which usually do not include the $.

 

[crussader]

... Obviously it's not an ideal solution, but it could do.....

Many of us here have followed this path. Most of us that have done this learned that it is an expensive path and it would have been cheaper to get it the way we wanted the first time.

 

[Goobus]

Many of us here have followed this path. Most of us that have done this learned that it is an expensive path and it would have been cheaper to get it the way we wanted the first time.

I hear you. I'd be itching eternally for a proper cash set until I get one. But who am I kidding, the itching never stops.

It might be cheaper in the long run to just customize a set that's right for my needs, even though it might cost more in the short run.

I'm also worried that the lack of edge spots would get old after a while - even though I love the solid h/s look, edge spots look sick too.

This is completely acceptable.

If I'm not mistaken, the HK Dollar uses the "$"

EDIT: Goobus confirmed the second part.

those GCRs are SO beautiful, I can't take my eyes off them.

 

[Joe E.]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM! Congrats on the engagement and for finding a partner that encourages you to get nicer chips.

I think the key is don't rush and maybe get a few samples before you decide. Custom CPC are a great idea with your bankroll, just keep searching through this site and you will do just fine.

 

[Lemonzest]

Yeah because you have time (you already have a playable set) I would do it right the first time. Just don't rush...think over what you really want to do and then get er done.

 

[Lemonzest]

If you are concerned about lack of edge spots then maybe just use 1 hot stamped chip as a low denom. For the rest of the set get some type of spot progression. In my opinion a set of only hot stamped chips with no spot progression isn't exciting.

 

[crussader]

...But who am I kidding, the itching never stops.

Very good point!

...even though it might cost more in the short run.

Actually, custom hot stamps would be cheaper than a GCR set as long as you don't go super crazy with the edge spots. The real cost with customs is time. It typically takes a few months to get them made.

I'm also worried that the lack of edge spots would get old after a while

If you're already worried before you even get them, it won't be long before the voices in your head start demanding an upgrade.

those GCRs are SO beautiful...

Very true.

 

[detroitdad]

I'm also worried that the lack of edge spots would get old after a while

If done right, a set of solids can be fantastic. It never gets old

 

[Goobus]

Thanks for the advice guys, I’ll play around with the chip editor and see what I can come up with. I’ll be sure to ask for advice on edge progression, color pairings and such.

Hope I don’t break the bank, I still have a wedding to save for

Beautiful set @detroitdad!

 

[crussader]

How many players are you building the set for? That has a definite impact on the budget.

 

[v1pe]

Are you 100% set on clay chips? I have seen any discussion here of ceramics or hybrids. Just wondering.

 

[Goobus]

@crussader We usually play 9-handed at most. Sometimes we have enough for a 2 table tourney, so up to 12-16 max, I’d say, but in those rare case a few larger denoms should be able to handle it. I think 750 chips should be plenty, I might even be able to get away with just having 100-150 $5’s.

@v1pe I haven’t really looked into ceramics as I really enjoy the feel of nice clay chips so I kind of gravitated towards them by default. Do you have any recommendations?

 

[SixSpeedFury]

Welcome! Does it have to be clay? OWPS has great pricing on ceramic chips for PCF memebers, so you can go custom and it'll be well within your budget.

Are you 100% set on clay chips? I have seen any discussion here of ceramics or hybrids. Just wondering.

Just as I was writing my response lol. There are many memebers here that have done custom ceramics. If done right they can turn out awesome.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Another hot stamp option would be to use the stock denominations on one side and have a custom stamp with name/logo for the other side. That way you are only having to buy 1 custom stamp instead of 4 or 5.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Take the advice of many here... Don't buy enough to "get away with". Buy as many as you can afford, then stretch that by a little bit. A well run game will attract new players.