Beginner Mistakes? (38 Viewers)

[QuantumCards]

I've enjoyed looking at the beautiful chips many have posted for awhile, and am considering upgrading from my plastic chips to a cash game set of some china clays sometime soon (maybe a set of majestics?). It seems many people here have bought many sets of chips over the years. What mistakes did you make, or what would you have done differently, had you been buying your first set today, other than the straightforward tips on the new member forum?

 

[Fingerz]

Personally, I wish I would have listened to the experienced members on this forum better! It would have honestly saved me money and time. I’m finally where I want to be in my collections and sets, but it took some time. I got caught up in some of the excitement of getting chips and not really thinking about why I needed the chips. I had to refine my goals. If I had waited just a little longer, I could have gotten nicer chips from the start instead of going through a series of lower end chips just to get to the same results.

 

[Huskerchipper]

The biggest mistake i see from new members is finding this site and wanting to buy something quickly. The best advice I could possibly give is to NOT buy anything for 6 months. Read as much here as time allows and save your money. Order some samples of chips you are interested in during the process and get a clear understanding of what is available out there.

Also during this time, define exactly what it is you are needing and think long term. Are you looking to put together a cash or tournament set? What stakes are you planning on playing for? How many players do you want to accommodate? So unfortunately, I am the UNFUN police telling you to NOT buy the Majestics. Personally I think there are much better options out there for that price point... look at Broken Arrow monthly group buy options. The feel of the Olympus chips from The Poker Store is pretty hard to beat in that price range as well. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy the journey.

EDIT TO ADD: Welcome to the forum and your first post

 

[Frode789]

I've enjoyed looking at the beautiful chips many have posted for awhile, and am considering upgrading from my plastic chips to a cash game set of some china clays sometime soon (maybe a set of majestics?). It seems many people here have bought many sets of chips over the years. What mistakes did you make, or what would you have done differently, had you been buying your first set today, other than the straightforward tips on the new member forum?

Welcome!
You’ll definitely enjoy the upgrade path (your wallet, maybe not so much ).

I own a set of Majestics myself and I really like them, especially considering the price. I don't regret the purchase, I already have a tournament set of fully custom ceramics that I love, but I wanted to try something different for my cash set. The sound and feel are different and I liked that (get samples!!). The other alternative I would have liked would be CPC, but A) They are still not open (and with a long backlog) and B) Significantly more expensive. Maybe later... =)
Are there nicer chips out there? Absolutely. But it ultimately comes down to your budget, preferred material, and what you're looking for in a set.

F.ex nobody is saying that CCs are anywhere close to Paulson in terms of quality etc, but they do look to at least be in the same "area" in terms of the visual profile as compared to ceramics, which is very different in feel and sound. To get what I am saying - example image (not my chips):

My biggest recommendation is to echo parts of the above posters - to do some research before buying and get samples. There are a lot of options, and it's worth understanding the differences before spending a significant amount of money. The first question is usually: What's your budget? If budget is no concern, you can normally skip the mid-tier options (like Majestics) and go straight to a high-end options right away.

That said, anything will be a major upgrade over the typical dice chips, so you're already moving in the right direction regardless of what you choose.

Here was my perceived list when deciding - ranging from mid tier to the expensive end. (other senior members please correct if something is wrong ).
Pre-face: All chips are in essence plastic - just different types, many different blends with other materials and different production ways, which of course has major impact on look/feel/quality of the final result.

- China "Clay" (injection-molded plastics mixed with kaolin, which gives them that clay-like surface - Majestics are here. They are often on sale, check classifieds)
- China/Tina ceramics (polymer molded ceramics & usually with a design molded into the chip. Long delivery time, but tons of customization options. But there is also the ethical aspect here, as opposed to buying from respectable outlets like Sunfly (polyclay, same thing) etc, these guys will have no worries ripping of other designs - for example getting a top hat and cane mold done. You do you, but I personally did not want to buy from "tina").
- Ceramics (many good stock designs available like Dia De Los Muertos and Tiki Kings - watch out for sales or eBay - they are usually available at good prices)
- Sunfly Hybrids (polyinno hybrid - really cool chips of high quality, check out ascona f.ex)
- Custom ceramics from f.ex BRPro or Chipco (high quality chips & the best option if you want complete freedom in terms of design, but you pay extra for design, custom job, aligned edges etc)
- Custom clay chips from CPC (what is considered "true clay", as they are compression molded as opposed to most others that is injection molded - key difference. Good customization in terms of spots/molds, and design your own inlay. It's a considerable cost jump from the below categories)
- Paulson/misc retired casino chips or other vintage/collectible chips (very expensive, you pay a hefty premium over everything else for it being rare/retired casino/holding a high status in the community. Make sure you research well and understand what you want, before splurging off 8K USD on a set here)

So to end off.. Each category has its pros and cons, but budget will usually narrow the field pretty quickly.
PS: Certain people can be a bit "snobby" (only Paulson is good enough - rest is trash!). It's your money. If you get different samples, and you enjoy the look and feel of a certain chip and the budget is within what you wanted, that's all that matters.

 

[dizzyChipper]

Welcome!
You’ll definitely enjoy the upgrade path (your wallet, maybe not so much ).

I own a set of Majestics myself and I really like them, especially considering the price. I don't regret the purchase, I already have a tournament set of fully custom ceramics that I love, but I wanted to try something different for my cash set. The sound and feel are different and I liked that (get samples!!). The other alternative I would have liked would be CPC, but A) They are still not open (and with a long backlog) and B) Significantly more expensive. Maybe later... =)
Are there nicer chips out there? Absolutely. But it ultimately comes down to your budget, preferred material, and what you're looking for in a set.

F.ex nobody is saying that CCs are anywhere close to Paulson in terms of quality etc, but they do look to at least be in the same "area" in terms of the visual profile as compared to ceramics, which is very different in feel and sound. To get what I am saying - example image:
View attachment 1688540

My biggest recommendation is to echo parts of the above posters - to do some research before buying and get samples. There are a lot of options, and it's worth understanding the differences before spending a significant amount of money. The first question is usually: What's your budget? If budget is no concern, you can normally skip the mid-tier options (like Majestics) and go straight to a high-end options right away.

That said, anything will be a major upgrade over the typical dice chips, so you're already moving in the right direction regardless of what you choose.

Here was my perceived list when deciding - ranging from mid tier to the expensive end. (other senior members please correct if something is wrong ).
Pre-face: All chips are in essence plastic - just different types, many different blends with other materials and different production ways, which of course has major impact on look/feel/quality of the final result.

- China "Clay" (injection-molded plastics mixed with kaolin, which gives them that clay-like surface - Majestics are here. They are often on sale, check classifieds)
- China/Tina ceramics (polymer molded ceramics & usually with a design molded into the chip. Long delivery time, but tons of customization options. But there is also the ethical aspect here, as opposed to buying from respectable outlets like Sunfly (polyclay, same thing) etc, these guys will have no worries ripping of other designs - for example getting a top hat and cane mold done. You do you, but I personally did not want to buy from "tina").
- Ceramics (many good stock designs available like Dia De Los Muertos and Tiki Kings - watch out for sales or eBay - they are usually available at good prices)
- Sunfly Hybrids (polyinno hybrid - really cool chips of high quality, check out ascona f.ex)
- Custom ceramics from f.ex BRPro or Chipco (high quality chips & the best option if you want complete freedom in terms of design, but you pay extra for design, custom job, aligned edges etc)
- Custom clay chips from CPC (what is considered "true clay", as they are compression molded as opposed to most others that is inection molded - key difference. Good customization in terms of spots/molds, and design your own inlay. It's a considerable cost jump from the below catetories)
- Paulson/misc retired casino chips or other vintage/collectible chips (very expensive, you pay a hefty premium over everything else for it being rare/retired casino/holding a high status in the community. Make sure you research well and understand what you want, before splurging off 8K USD on a set here)

So to end off.. Each category has its pros and cons, but budget will usually narrow the field pretty quickly.
PS: Certain people can be a bit "snobby" (only Paulson is good enough - rest is trash!). It's your money. If you get different samples, and you enjoy the look and feel of a certain chip and the budget is within what you wanted, that's all that matters.

I got here a bit over a year ago and went nuts. I think the advice to wait and see and get samples really is good BUT if you see something inexpensive ceramic or CC on FB marketplace and easy pickup it doesn’t hurt that much to go for it.

What gets expensive is buying everything you see to build cohesive sets and customizing along the way at times.

What should be an exercise in patience becomes an exercise in logistics.

Eventually what you want will show up all put together and wrapped in a bow. Then you strike.

Eg of what not to do: I have most of a house mold set and have cycled in and out of many chips all for a set I still haven’t ever used. I still have white hm $1 (Gila River) for sale and honestly should sell my blue hm $1 (mirage). I’ve bought and sold both blue and white HM fracs.

Again, It’s a set I’ve never played.

I’m now such a PCF degen that I recognize in the pics above the Paulson examples @Frode789 used are lucky 21 housemold $5 and $25 from the edge pics alone.

Now I’m going to ask @Frode789 if he has any Lucky 21 $100 because I need a rack for that HM set.

I did similar buying and selling of THC chips too for a set I use but has some issues that are unresolved.

1) Be patient.
2) Play around with ceramic and cc a bit.
3) Bite the bullet once on anything premium: Paulson or CPC.
4) Delete account.

 

[Frode789]

I got here a bit over a year ago and went nuts. I think the advice to wait and see and get samples really is good BUT if you see something inexpensive ceramic or CC on FB marketplace and easy pickup it doesn’t hurt that much to go for it.

What gets expensive is buying everything you see to build cohesive sets and customizing along the way at times.

What should be an exercise in patience becomes an exercise in logistics.

Eventually what you want will show up all put together and wrapped in a bow. Then you strike.

Eg of what not to do: I have most of a house mold set and have cycled in and out of many chips all for a set I still haven’t ever used. I still have white hm $1 (Gila River) for sale and honestly should sell my blue hm $1 (mirage). I’ve bought and sold both blue and white HM fracs.

Again, It’s a set I’ve never played.

I’m now such a PCF degen that I recognize in the pics above the Paulson examples @Frode789 used are lucky 21 housemold $5 and $25 from the edge pics alone.

Now I’m going to ask @Frode789 if he has any Lucky 21 $100 because I need a rack for that HM set.

I did similar buying and selling of THC chips too for a set I use but has some issues that are unresolved.

1) Be patient.
2) Play around with ceramic and cc a bit.
3) Bite the bullet once on anything premium: Paulson or CPC.
4) Delete account.

Great input - especially number 4 Definitely more "forgiving" to go for a reasonably cheap set, even if you end up selling them a year later after gotten some nice use out of them (because you found another set you wanted more).

haha, sorry - not my chips in the image

CPCs are probably in the max "pain-threshold" for my end of what I'd be willing to spend, and then I get huge plus of being able to customize it just like I want it. Many of the older sets doesn't really attract me in the same way (taste is subjective ^^). HSI is one of the exceptions, that set is gorgeous.

 

[bigblind]

Welcome
Take your time and get samples