Brand New Here, Need Advice on Buying in Canada (1 Viewer)

Frieza

Frieza

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Hi Everyone,

As the title says, I am brand new here. I currently own a cheap 300 set of plastic "Las Vegas" chips that I am looking to upgrade from. I'm shocked at the lack of options in Canada. I am not in a position to be spending 700$ to ship a mediocre chip set over the border. From what I can tell, the only 2 good options for me are https://mrcpoker.com and https://www.straightpokersupplies.com. The selections on these websites are very lackluster and I need some help here.

I need a chip set primarily for micro-low stakes cash games (.05/.1 - .5/1). Evidently getting 5 cent denominations in Canada is impossible (correct me if I'm wrong) but that would be ideal. I can settle for 25 cent chips and using 5 dollar chips as 5 cents. I think I need 800-1000 chips for my 9 player table. I would like to spend less than 500 Canadian which I understand will severely limit my options likely only to clay composites but I am not in a position to spend more at the moment.

I appreciate any advice.

P.S. Apologies if I posted this in the wrong place.

Thanks,
 
First off, welcome to the forum!

Once you get 10 posts on the forum, you should be able to post a wanted ad. That said, if you could provide a bit more information (typical number of players, typical buy-in range and number of rebuys, etc), there are a number of members that should be able to help you with a denomination breakdown. I'm not the best source for that, but I believe you could get use less than 800 chips. You are correct that if purchasing new, there are limited options within our borders. Depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to find a used set from a Canadian member

You don't say where you are located, but if you're in the Ottawa area, send me a PM. I have samples of many styles of chips, which could help you determine what you like and what you don't.
 
I was in a similar spot about a year ago. Cards mold ended up being the solution for me. I designed 2 sets and paid a pro to clean up the design. After shipping and reshipping to Canada I paid 44 cents/chip CDN.
Since then they're have been some really great stock designs put up for purchase. Well worth a look.
 
You can also look at purchasing a set and then getting them relabelled if you’re having trouble finding certain denominations. I know there’s a couple very skilled graphic designers on here that do it. (Or used to anyways)
 
My advice, save up and don’t cheap out. Get a nice set of ceramics and skip the mrc stuff.

I bought my first non dice set from them because I had a similar budget. Never thought of ever spending $500 or more on chips. Meanwhile this year I’ve spent $10,000 alone. :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

My advice, go to brpro poker or wait until you can buy from classifieds. There’s a huge chipping community up here in Canada, Buy once, cry once.
 
Raphmivey said:
dont
Click to expand...
in case it was mot clear, best advice is dont buy in a store in Canada. you will regret it. I did the mistake (as a lot of others), played once and wanted to get rid of set righr away. They suck. Honestly if tou want cheap nothing beats dice chips. There is no good compromise between dice chips and real good chips.
 
Welcome to the site. Where in Canada are you located? Your best option may be to buy some low end chips from someone on here who alrrqdy decided to upgrade.
 
Most cash games do not require more than 600 chips for 9 players. You might need 700-800 to spread your cash stakes, but decide first what your bank needs are, and then determine your breakdown, and get the least number of chips you need for your budget. That way you maximize your budget.

Your best bet just might be buying from other members in Canada, or getting some reasonably priced customs made.

If you're handy with a drill press or router, you can get lots of vintage clay chips that you can mill and customize with durable labels and your own art for minimal cost, too.
 
Welcome to the forum! What part of Canada are you from? (flooded west coast here).

As others have said, avoid those sites. Spend some time here getting to know the difference between slugged plastic, higher grade plastic. ceramics (various grades and types), "China Clay" (a moderately priced but lower quality alternative to real clay), and what people around here refer to as Clay (compression molded, either Paulsons, CPC, or a very few other non-current brands), which are what you would find in most LV casinos.

Budget is a big factor, but it is possible to find casino-used Paulsons for a somewhat reasonable price of <$1 USD per chip. Many chippers here would steer you in that direction, as they feel that the non-clay alternatives are not worth the time and money to purchase. They will also say that you can usually re-sell Paulsons for the same or more than you paid for them, so you are "renting" them rather than throwing money away.

It depends a lot on how many chips you want in your set, but an initial outlay in the thousands (and after exchange rate and shipping, it's not hard to exceed that) may be more than you can justify, so feel free to explore some other options.

Apache Poker Chips (a trusted vendor here) has some nice China Clays, such as Majestic, Bank, and slightly larger Royals, some of which have nickels and quarters). Another member mentioned the Cards Molds plastic chips, which have become a very popular budget option that some long time chippers rate very highly (not as high as Paulsons, but still well received). Ceramics such as Tiki Kings and Dia De Los Muertes (DDLM) are also popular among some budget chippers.

Each of the above has pros and cons, and what some people love about a certain type of chip, other people hate. The best advice (IMO) is:
  • Decide on the best breakdown for your set(s). Lots of good advice and good threads here, whether for a tournament set or for a cash set.
  • Get samples. There are some "loaner" samples floating around the forum, or ask a local PCF member to see theirs.
  • Research the forum to learn about the differences between chips, and the pros and cons of each
  • Make up your own mind. Buy what you want, not what some other member here thinks that you should buy.
  • Make a budget - then double it, then double it again.
  • Take some time before pulling the trigger on a budget set. Buying something that you really don't like a few weeks/months later is throwing money away (unless they are Paulsons, in which case you'll probably be able to recoup your purchase price).
  • If you like a set, but they don't have the denominations that you want, you can get labels to change the denominations. Add another .30 US/chip.
  • If shipping from the US, try to keep the package value <$200 USD. Anything above that is likely to be taxed at the border. And use USPS (mail) rather than courier, otherwise anything >$20 CDN will be taxed, and you'll have to pay a big brokerage fee as well. (Cheapest is to find a mail box company just across the border, and pick it up yourself, depending on where you live)
  • Remember that your players won't appreciate the quality or value (or cost) of your chips. Buy them for yourself. (They will, however, appreciate a new table or upgrade of chairs).
  • Have fun with it!
 
straightpokersupplies does custom chips. they're not the greatest but they're less than online US vendors.

they charge 70c canadian a chip for a 600 chip set. the chips aren't great - they're generic china plastic/clay stuff, but it comes with custom labels/denoms.

its hard to make recommendations without knowing more.
 
Frieza said:
I need a chip set primarily for micro-low stakes cash games (.05/.1 - .5/1). Evidently getting 5 cent denominations in Canada is impossible (correct me if I'm wrong) but that would be ideal. I can settle for 25 cent chips and using 5 dollar chips as 5 cents. I think I need 800-1000 chips for my 9 player table. I would like to spend less than 500 Canadian which I understand will severely limit my options likely only to clay composites but I am not in a position to spend more at the moment.
Click to expand...

You will ideally need about 700 or 800 chip to cover 5c/10c to 50c/$1 stake

Suggested Chip breakdown for 5c/10c are
100 x 5c
200 x 25c
200 x $1
80 x $5
20 x $20 or $25

Suggested Chip breakdown for 50c/$1 are
100 x 25c
200 x $1
200 x $5
80 x $20 or $25
20 x $100

So the follow Breakdown will cover both stakes
100 x 5c
200 x 25c
200 x $1
200 x $5
80 x $20 or $25
20 x $100
 
CdnBeerLover said:
First off, welcome to the forum!

Once you get 10 posts on the forum, you should be able to post a wanted ad. That said, if you could provide a bit more information (typical number of players, typical buy-in range and number of rebuys, etc), there are a number of members that should be able to help you with a denomination breakdown. I'm not the best source for that, but I believe you could get use less than 800 chips. You are correct that if purchasing new, there are limited options within our borders. Depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to find a used set from a Canadian member

You don't say where you are located, but if you're in the Ottawa area, send me a PM. I have samples of many styles of chips, which could help you determine what you like and what you don't.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for the reply. I am in Nova Scotia and by the looks of things there may not be any maritimers around here.

vanislander said:
I was in a similar spot about a year ago. Cards mold ended up being the solution for me. I designed 2 sets and paid a pro to clean up the design. After shipping and reshipping to Canada I paid 44 cents/chip CDN.
Since then they're have been some really great stock designs put up for purchase. Well worth a look.
Click to expand...

I have never heard of Cards Mold before. Can you link me a vendor that sells these?
 
LotsOfChips said:
Welcome to the forum! What part of Canada are you from? (flooded west coast here).

As others have said, avoid those sites. Spend some time here getting to know the difference between slugged plastic, higher grade plastic. ceramics (various grades and types), "China Clay" (a moderately priced but lower quality alternative to real clay), and what people around here refer to as Clay (compression molded, either Paulsons, CPC, or a very few other non-current brands), which are what you would find in most LV casinos.

Budget is a big factor, but it is possible to find casino-used Paulsons for a somewhat reasonable price of <$1 USD per chip. Many chippers here would steer you in that direction, as they feel that the non-clay alternatives are not worth the time and money to purchase. They will also say that you can usually re-sell Paulsons for the same or more than you paid for them, so you are "renting" them rather than throwing money away.

It depends a lot on how many chips you want in your set, but an initial outlay in the thousands (and after exchange rate and shipping, it's not hard to exceed that) may be more than you can justify, so feel free to explore some other options.

Apache Poker Chips (a trusted vendor here) has some nice China Clays, such as Majestic, Bank, and slightly larger Royals, some of which have nickels and quarters). Another member mentioned the Cards Molds plastic chips, which have become a very popular budget option that some long time chippers rate very highly (not as high as Paulsons, but still well received). Ceramics such as Tiki Kings and Dia De Los Muertes (DDLM) are also popular among some budget chippers.

Each of the above has pros and cons, and what some people love about a certain type of chip, other people hate. The best advice (IMO) is:
  • Decide on the best breakdown for your set(s). Lots of good advice and good threads here, whether for a tournament set or for a cash set.
  • Get samples. There are some "loaner" samples floating around the forum, or ask a local PCF member to see theirs.
  • Research the forum to learn about the differences between chips, and the pros and cons of each
  • Make up your own mind. Buy what you want, not what some other member here thinks that you should buy.
  • Make a budget - then double it, then double it again.
  • Take some time before pulling the trigger on a budget set. Buying something that you really don't like a few weeks/months later is throwing money away (unless they are Paulsons, in which case you'll probably be able to recoup your purchase price).
  • If you like a set, but they don't have the denominations that you want, you can get labels to change the denominations. Add another .30 US/chip.
  • If shipping from the US, try to keep the package value <$200 USD. Anything above that is likely to be taxed at the border. And use USPS (mail) rather than courier, otherwise anything >$20 CDN will be taxed, and you'll have to pay a big brokerage fee as well. (Cheapest is to find a mail box company just across the border, and pick it up yourself, depending on where you live)
  • Remember that your players won't appreciate the quality or value (or cost) of your chips. Buy them for yourself. (They will, however, appreciate a new table or upgrade of chairs).
  • Have fun with it!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the detailed reply. It is much appreciated.

Unfortunately, regarding Apache Poker Chips, the international shipping fees and duties would bring my total for a 1k set of Majestics to 580 USD. This seems to rule this option out.

I'm leaning toward getting a set of Ceramics, what are your thoughts on these? MRC poker sells "Crown Laurel" ceramics for a reasonable price (I have samples on the way along with a few clay composite samples), but most users here have told me to steer clear of this vendor.

I also have a user who messaged me looking to sell a 600 set of EPT ceramics for 380 CDN which seems like the best band for my buck I could get. However, I'm worried that I wouldn't have enough chips and expanding a custom set would be both annoying and expensive.
 
Frieza said:
MRC poker sells "Crown Laurel" ceramics for a reasonable price (I have samples on the way along with a few clay composite samples), but most users here have told me to steer clear of this vendor.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with the vendor but what they sell isn't appealing to most on this site so you won't get any recommendations for them here. As for the Crown Laurel chips they are slippery as hell... one of the worst ceramics I've ever played with. That was a few years ago so here's to hoping they've changed suppliers. With ground shipping severely impacted by the flooding in southern BC, Straight Poker Supplies is the better option between the two vendors in Canada. Not much to add as most have already chimed in with good options.
 
Frieza said:
I'm leaning toward getting a set of Ceramics, what are your thoughts on these? MRC poker sells "Crown Laurel" ceramics for a reasonable price (I have samples on the way along with a few clay composite samples), but most users here have told me to steer clear of this vendor.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum! This was the first set of chips I got actually, from MRC poker as well. I would say they are OK chips, they stack decently well but are sliders too, I dont think its worth the price that MRC is charging, you can get much better chips here for the same price or just a little bit more.
 
Emitsu said:
Welcome to the forum! This was the first set of chips I got actually, from MRC poker as well. I would say they are OK chips, they stack decently well but are sliders too, I dont think its worth the price that MRC is charging, you can get much better chips here for the same price or just a little bit more.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have been browsing the classifieds for the last week or so. Seems like mostly higher end chips. I haven't seen much in my price range. I guess I'll just wait until I'm eligible and post a wanted ad.

LinkyBabe said:
Nothing wrong with the vendor but what they sell isn't appealing to most on this site so you won't get any recommendations for them here. As for the Crown Laurel chips they are slippery as hell... one of the worst ceramics I've ever played with. That was a few years ago so here's to hoping they've changed suppliers. With ground shipping severely impacted by the flooding in southern BC, Straight Poker Supplies is the better option between the two vendors in Canada. Not much to add as most have already chimed in with good options.
Click to expand...

I watched Hobbyphilic's video on the Crown Laurels and he seemed to be positive on everything but design. I have a sample set on the way but, with the flooding as you mentioned, my shipment is delayed.

Thanks for your help.
 
I have a small cash set of Laurel Crown chips and they don't seem too slippery to me but I don't have much for comparison other than sample sets. I have noticed some fading on them faster than I expected.
 
Rivermadness said:
I have a small cash set of Laurel Crown chips and they don't seem too slippery to me but I don't have much for comparison other than sample sets. I have noticed some fading on them faster than I expected.
Click to expand...
They're sliders more then slippery tbh
 

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