Ceramic Chips (1 Viewer)

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BillyPaul

High Hand
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Ok folks, I have just purchased a set of High Roller ceramic tournament chips from Germany and am waiting for delivery. These are based loosely on the Aria casino chips, like the ones used on the High Stakes poker tv programme. Anyway, I remember years ago I purchased a few sets of ceramics from China, Sun-fly I think. These were very nice chips although relatively expensive compared to the cheap plastic chips available in the UK. (UK is pathetic for poker chips) But you get what you pay for right?

However this new set (I believe) were very reasonably priced and still look great in the pictures IMO, which begs the question - are new modern ceramics as good as old ceramics? talking 15 years ago or so.

Has manufacture improved? and the costs lower OR are new ceramic chips just not as good and therefore cheaper, as in everything else in life? And I know that sounds stupid when talking about cheap Chinese imports, but still, I am excited to receive my new (German) set, but can't help thinking about it. Just have to find a hiding place for them before the wife finds out!

Maybe someone here has these chips and can settle my nerves.
HR25-200.jpg
 
I'm personally not familiar with this exact chip, but, I'd venture a guess that they are Chinese ceramics, which, around here,, are often referred as Tina chips. Many people have them and many love them. I don't believe, from my meager experience, they they have quite the quality level as Sunfly, BR Pro, or, the old Chipco's. They may have a few "spinners" mixed in, but, are basically a good chip for the money.

If you type Tina in the search bar it'll probably link you to many of the different Chinese ceramics that are on this forum. Grab a snack, you'll be here a while.

I could be wrong, perhaps someone else here has a different take on them. Good luck!
 
I wouldn't say there's a strict ranking from worse to better. Different brands have strengths and weaknesses. For example, I like Tina's (Chinese ceramic) colors better than BR Pro, and I like BR Pro's texture better than Tina.

That said, it's normal to get jitters when you're waiting for your set to come. If you're anything like me, you'll be happy to see your chips in real life when they arrive. Let us know what you think when they do!
 
KHarp1 said:
I'm personally not familiar with this exact chip, but, I'd venture a guess that they are Chinese ceramics, which, around here,, are often referred as Tina chips. Many people have them and many love them. I don't believe, from my meager experience, they they have quite the quality level as Sunfly, BR Pro, or, the old Chipco's. They may have a few "spinners" mixed in, but, are basically a good chip for the money.

If you type Tina in the search bar it'll probably link you to many of the different Chinese ceramics that are on this forum. Grab a snack, you'll be here a while.

I could be wrong, perhaps someone else here has a different take on them. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks Kharp, and there's that word again 'Tina'... a mystery wrapped up in an enigma. lol. I did what you suggested, and boy, you're not joking. Cheers!
 
improviseallday said:
I wouldn't say there's a strict ranking from worse to better. Different brands have strengths and weaknesses. For example, I like Tina's (Chinese ceramic) colors better than BR Pro, and I like BR Pro's texture better than Tina.

That said, it's normal to get jitters when you're waiting for your set to come. If you're anything like me, you'll be happy to see your chips in real life when they arrive. Let us know what you think when they do!
Click to expand...
Exactly right. Wouldn't say it was an impulse buy, but I always tend to get the scare stories AFTER purchase. But I've read the Chinese are getting better and better each year. Finger crossed. :)
 
If they cost you more than 30c/chip, you probably over-paid.
 
BGinGA said:
If they cost you more than 30c/chip, you probably over-paid.
Click to expand...
We over-pay for everything here. I would tell you how much 'gas' costs here, but you wouldn't believe me. However I did some maths - Total Cost minus the cost of 2 cheapest chip cases (shipping was free btw) with a currency convert. It works out at $0.44c a chip from pokershop.de online in Germany. I may or may not have to pay an import fee on delivery. but we'll see. As I said before, poker chip selection in UK is painfully bad. And I can confirm prices have DOUBLED in 10 years. We now have to pay £50 GBP for a twin deck of KEM cards. Hopefully this gives others some insight... or... maybe I'm shopping in the wrong places. :unsure:
 
The Aria chips were always one of my favs. Congrats on the purchase.

As many have already said most likely comparable to a TINA chip but depending who is manufacturing them if from the EU could be similar to a Sunfly/br pro in terms of quality.

Pretty common to start searching for the feedback when your chips are in the mail on their way. I had a similar experience where I was dealing direct with “Tina” for an Aria set but after a couple posts here I ultimately cancelled the order and placed my order with Br Pro.

Getting the samples first takes a lot of the guess work out but the chips you ordered look sweet. Post some pics when they arrive!!
 
ChippinUp said:
The Aria chips were always one of my favs. Congrats on the purchase.

As many have already said most likely comparable to a TINA chip but depending who is manufacturing them if from the EU could be similar to a Sunfly/br pro in terms of quality.

Pretty common to start searching for the feedback when your chips are in the mail on their way. I had a similar experience where I was dealing direct with “Tina” for an Aria set but after a couple posts here I ultimately cancelled the order and placed my order with Br Pro.

Getting the samples first takes a lot of the guess work out but the chips you ordered look sweet. Post some pics when they arrive!!
Click to expand...
Thanks ChippinUp. You are quite correct about getting samples, I agree wholeheartedly especially if considering a large set. But I could not find reviews of these chips anywhere and took the chance. From the pictures I see no mould on the chips, but that's not a problem for me. I would like a little texture to the surface though and the colours look bright enough but not too garish, just my preference. This will be my 3rd set of ceramics so I know what I like from them. I shall post detailed close-ups when they arrive and give my honest opinion, should be sometime this week. Here's hoping for a good result. Cheers.
 
BillyPaul said:
....I remember years ago I purchased a few sets of ceramics from China, Sun-fly I think. These were very nice chips although relatively expensive compared to the cheap plastic chips......However this new set (I believe) were very reasonably priced and still look great in the pictures IMO, which begs the question - are new modern ceramics as good as old ceramics? talking 15 years ago or so.
Click to expand...
As with most poker related answers, in my opinion, the answer is "it depends"
Some of the old manufacturers of ceramic poker chips like chipco are no longer even in business. Others like Sun-Fly etc & BR Pro are still around and offer an excellent product, but are priced very differently from the ones you picture above. There are others too like the "Tina" China ceramics and even within the ones that have come via her there is a big difference in quality from one mold to another.

Here is my thinking at this point in time:
- Anything less than 30-50¢(ish) that is not a Tina Ceramic Hybrid (like the new greek mold that are available in @justincarothers vendor forum here: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/forums/broken-arrow-cardroom-supply.172/ is not worth buying.
- There are lots of decent options from the above mentioned china manufacturer, but to me the newer "new greek" mold chips are so much better than any
others that they are the only ones I would consider purchasing.
- At around $1/chip you will start to open up many of the cheaper retired casino compression mold chips like Paulson RHC
- At around $2-5/chip and up you can get into more of the premium/coveted or live chips (Usually Paulson THC)

improviseallday said:
IMO either in this thread, or in a new thread in the same subforum.
Click to expand...
new thread in this same sub-forum
 
I understand your thinking, But of course, you are speaking from an American perspective, were everything is plentiful and available, so therefore less expensive. Supply and Demand drives price. I talk from a European perspective, furthermore a British perspective. We simply do not have the same choice as the great market place of America. That, combined with import fee's and taxes, mean we get considerably less bang for our buck, so to speak. We can only make the best of it. But thanks for the input, you are completely correct 'it depends'... :tup:
 

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