Casino Nacional (2 Viewers)

[SteveEH]

Gorgeous add-on to an already great set!


I also doubt it's a print quality difference, but that the add-ons have less texture where the inlay goes as opposed to the ASMs from earlier. I have H-mold sets that had two different runs, both from ASM, and I see something similar with those. I'm also not examining my chips under a microscope or photos with a macro lens, so I never notice it.

I noticed that too, but the colour of the building and denomination looks darker (unless they faded over the years). The 500 inlay may have a bit of a bigger image too? Here's a side by side:

Also note the mold textures. The black chip in the pic below was made in 2012 and hasn't been felted or oiled. The new chip's mold has a rougher texture:

If this post doesn't solidify my status as a chip nerd...

 

[paulkersey]

Awesome story and I'm totally in love with your set. I have to ask, is there any way I could join one of your future add-on orders or possibly use the design for a future cards mold order? Would happily compensate you, or at the very least put some pesos towards some cohibas for your excellent work. So cool!

 

[SteveEH]

Awesome story and I'm totally in love with your set. I have to ask, is there any way I could join one of your future add-on orders or possibly use the design for a future cards mold order? Would happily compensate you, or at the very least put some pesos towards some cohibas for your excellent work. So cool!

Thanks - it's nice to hear from those that appreciate a simple theme like this!

Years ago I decided to be selfish and not share the set. For shame. Cards mold weren't around back then, and they have been on my mind sometimes... If it ever did happen, it wouldn't be done by Tina (or the other cheap manufacture) as there's no guarantee for artwork security.

I see you're pretty new to the forum. As a "custom chipping veteran," I'd recommend taking your time before jumping into any expensive decisions. Work towards your own meaningful, custom set which is, IMO, end-game and chipping retirement. Or if you're more of a collector, disregard what I said

 

[BGinGA]

I was Havana in 2018 and paid a visit to Hotel Nacional ...

...shot this pic in the hall

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Wonder how many of those pictured were 'made guys'....

 

[72o]

Was just culling my chip “catch-all” drawer and noticed an ASM/CPC shaped inlay sample chip (from 8-10 years ago) that had a crack in it. I decided to snap it completely in half (to prove my manhood ya know) and noticed this little gem hiding on the reverse side of the shaped inlay.

 

[paulkersey]

Was just culling my chip “catch-all” drawer and noticed an ASM/CPC shaped inlay sample chip (from 8-10 years ago) that had a crack in it. I decided to snap it completely in half (to prove my manhood ya know) and noticed this little gem hiding on the reverse side of the shaped inlay.

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I am way too naive... Is that for real?

 

[paulkersey]

Thanks - it's nice to hear from those that appreciate a simple theme like this!

Years ago I decided to be selfish and not share the set. For shame. Cards mold weren't around back then, and they have been on my mind sometimes... If it ever did happen, it wouldn't be done by Tina (or the other cheap manufacture) as there's no guarantee for artwork security.

I see you're pretty new to the forum. As a "custom chipping veteran," I'd recommend taking your time before jumping into any expensive decisions. Work towards your own meaningful, custom set which is, IMO, end-game and chipping retirement. Or if you're more of a collector, disregard what I said

That really is great advice to live by. I totally understand, and can appreciate how you want to keep them to yourself. Thank you for the kind words. And you're right, I need to take the time and create something special for myself. Who did you get your custom set through and would you recommend them?

 

[SteveEH]

Was just culling my chip “catch-all” drawer and noticed an ASM/CPC shaped inlay sample chip (from 8-10 years ago) that had a crack in it. I decided to snap it completely in half (to prove my manhood ya know) and noticed this little gem hiding on the reverse side of the shaped inlay.

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Cool thanks for posting!

Good to see ASM was putting the extra inlays to good use. I think I remember seeing another custom inlay upside down like that too...

 

[SteveEH]

That really is great advice to live by. I totally understand, and can appreciate how you want to keep them to yourself. Thank you for the kind words. And you're right, I need to take the time and create something special for myself. Who did you get your custom set through and would you recommend them?

@Johnny5 did did the artwork for all of my custom ASM/CPC orders:

- Casino Nacional in 2011
- Club 72 in 2022
- Casino Nacional $500 add-on in 2023.

Highly recommend!

 

[72o]

I am way too naive... Is that for real?

100% real. The glued, underside of the sample inlay was an extra, discarded, unused Nacional inlay.

 

[GreekRedEye]

Going to Havana is like going back in time. It's a bustling, historic, eroding, polluted city, and the Hotel Nacional de Cuba is it's oasis!

The first time I visited Havana was on a guided tour where they plan everything for you. When the bus took us along the Malecon, I saw it for the first time - towering over me on a rocky plateau. It wasn't on the itinerary, so I knew I'd have to return to see it one day.

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That day came a couple of years later when I stayed there for 3 nights. In the photo below, I'm sitting on the terrace and the waiter's just about to drop off my cafe con leche.

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On the first trip I learned about its history, and studied a lot more on my own. Learning about the mob and gambling, and imagining how different Vegas would be today if there was no revolution was fascinating to me (the book "Havana Nocturne" is a good read if you're interested). I discovered Wilbur Clark ran the casino in the Hotel Nacional, and the chips were made on the H-mold.

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How cool would it be to have my own custom set of chips made with the same mold the original ones were made with??? Of course it had to be done!!!

For the inlay, I found an image of an old matchbook with a drawing of the building:

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I had two inlays done by J5design (the best!):

- The first was to best represent the original chips with the casino name curved around the edge. These would be the primary chips for the set.

- The second to remind me of seeing the Nacional for the first time - looking up at it from the Malecon.

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The primaries were made in 2011, which makes them 10 years old this year! To celebrate I've introduced a few fresh alternates that will hit the felt this year.

The denominations represent nickles, quarters, and dollars in my home game (we're not ballers).

For the colors, the Reto lavender on black has always been a favorite. Originally I planned to go with a brown base $5 and a light blue $25, but I decided to align with the original chips' colors as best as possible. There wasn't a good match for the minty/blue/grey base of the $25, so I went with light green. A red spot on this one didn't appeal to me and I chose dayglow orange. The $5 is mandarin red with retro blue spots.

On to the pr0n! The first pics are before and after (chips on the shiny polyester material are from 2011, and the ones on felt/velvet are from 2021). Note the sharp vs. soft edges after the 400-500 hours of play time. After that they're all 2021.

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What if the revolution never happened, and the casino needed more bank? Here's my interpretation of a 500 denomination chip. These were added in 2023:

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The next are from 2021:

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I was never really happy with my first two sets of clay chips because I didn't really nail the theme. These on the other hand, near perfection IMO, and the community agreed as they made it into the CT calendar one year - what an honor!

When I return to the Hotel Nacional I leave a few samples.

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Wonderful set!

The Hotel Nacional Special is one of my favorite cocktails too! Feel like I would def need to be drinking one of those while playing with these.

 

[SteveEH]

 

[paulkersey]

Please tell me you're planning to take your chips for a photoshoot. Looking forward to the trip report!

 

[SteveEH]

Please tell me you're planning to take your chips for a photoshoot. Looking forward to the trip report!

I arrived! And yes to photo shoot. The $500s needed to visit with the others that have already been here.

 

[SteveEH]

H mold for the Heydays of Havana.

 

[abwchris]

Amazing. I've always wanted one of their cigar ash trays too but every time I see one I can't justify the cost.

 

[SteveEH]

More pics from my pilgrimage...

I was in Havana for 10 days. I stayed at the Nacional for 2 nights and a close by casa for the rest. I spent every day at the Nacional, and afternoons/evenings at jazz festival events. Great trip to relax and recharge.

 

[SteveEH]

Pics from the garden.

 

[Dcarl]

These are PERFECT in my opinion. Congrats on these. I would buy a set of these in an instant if they were a stock option somewhere.

 

[SteveEH]

These are PERFECT in my opinion. Congrats on these. I would buy a set of these in an instant if they were a stock option somewhere.

Glad you like them! Have you seen the Key West chips? They're old school, available, and on the h mold.