Completely lost buying chips for a cash game, need advice/opinions (3 Viewers)

[darkskulls147]

Recently bought my second poker table, a much more official 10 foot poker table. I started looking to upgrade from the typical dice chips we’ve been using, and found a 2000 chip set of 14g monte Carlo’s including two 1k acrylic cases for $300 which was a deal IMO.

However I’ve been having an obsession with the feeling of casino chips I’ve been collecting from all the casinos I’ve been going to. Now I need to upgrade.

The more I look into poker chips, the more I find out about how deep the rabbit hole is.

I was hoping to get advice and opinions for buying a poker chip set with around $800-$900 (max) budget. Hosting 1/2 cash games and maybe a 1/3 and 2/5 in the future. I want at least 900 chips, mainly consisting of ~400 $1 ~500 $5 and the rest $25 and $100.

looking for a feeling similar to Paulsons, so originally looked into China clays, such as pharaohs, milanos, dunes, etc. my current choice are pharaohs because I really like the design, but the feelings are kinda alright to me. I started liking ceramics too, looking at Tina’s and card molds but it’s still confusing.

I then found web mold and Greek mold chips, and now I want to custom make chips or participate in a group buy. I also want to make custom Tina mold chips maybe, but idk how to get started with the group buys.

Could anyone point me in the direction for some chips I could get? I am super new to this hobby, so if anyone could recommend some chips that are better than China clays or some I can custom make while still feeling good and fitting within my budget, that would be great. Thank you!

 

[calfdemon]

@justincarothers runs a group buy once a month for the Tina chips. Go to the marketplace and look for "The Broken Arrow" and that is his area. You can read about his group buys in there and see all the choices.

 

[calfdemon]

Here is this month's group buy but it closes on Tuesday. I would wait for the next one if you are looking to do custom...

Thread 'CHIPS* GROUP BUY*: WEB Mold, GREEK Mold * Cards Mold * Textured No-Mold * 08/2024' https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...d-cards-mold-textured-no-mold-08-2024.121583/

 

[Huskerchipper]

Go to The Broken Arrow sub forum. You will find answers there my friend (in my best Yoda voice)

 

[demonnic]

If you're looking to pick up a set for those stakes, I'd take a look at https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/majestic-star-sale.121425/
Would be way under the $8-900 budget to put a set together, and you could use the rest for custom Tinas in one of the upcoming group buys

 

[allforcharity]

We would usually recommend 1200 chips for 2 full tables of 10.
200-300x $1, 400-500× $5, 200-300x $25, and 100-200x $100. Whatever your biggest bank nights will be.
Your budget puts you fully into Tina custom ceramics, but also within shooting distance of most BR Pro and SunFly offerings.
Personally I would avoid what we call China Clays, as the value is just not there compared to today's ceramic options.

 

[darkskulls147]

We would usually recommend 1200 chips for 2 full tables of 10.
200-300x $1, 400-500× $5, 200-300x $25, and 100-200x $100. Whatever your biggest bank nights will be.
Your budget puts you fully into Tina custom ceramics, but also within shooting distance of most BR Pro and SunFly offerings.
Personally I would avoid what we call China Clays, as the value is just not there compared to today's ceramic options.

I’ve heard that Tina’s ends up having a lot of spinners, is that an issue that is very common? Also are china clays just not regarded as good? I’ve heard a lot of positive and negative things about it

 

[SteveEH]

Get samples, enough to shuffle.

Most here say Tina hybrid web/Greek molds are the best value and they don't spin.

 

[Labrat]

I’ve heard that Tina’s ends up having a lot of spinners, is that an issue that is very common? Also are china clays just not regarded as good? I’ve heard a lot of positive and negative things about it

I have 800 Taj Mahal card molds and not a single spinner.

 

[FordPickup92]

Definitely get samples so you can feel different types of chips, but if you're looking for a decent set with a casino style I'd recommend a casino used RHC set.
@Statesvegas has some really great choices for sale right now

 

[suchj0sh]

Definitely get samples so you can feel different types of chips, but if you're looking for a decent set with a casino style I'd recommend a casino used RHC set.
@Statesvegas has some really great choices for sale right now

Second this. See if @Statesvegas has anything for you.

 

[Postoakpoker]

If you're looking for Paulson (casino chips):

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/jumers-cash-set-purge-posting-23.122383/

This should be able to accommodate a single table of $1/2, $1/3 for slightly over your budget. You'll need an additional rack or two of $5s and possibly $1s if you want a second table.

If you're looking for custom chips, web or Greek mold through Justin is the way to go bang for the buck wise. Work with one of the many designers on here & you'll have a great set within 2-3 months. Order samples!

You can also purchase a stop gap set like many of us do while waiting the time/$$ to pursue the longer term/goal set.

 

[Machine]

style I'd recommend a casino used RHC set.

#same

You can find RHCs for 1 USD each, which lines up with your budget, but I would ask you if you're sure about your bank / 900 chips supporting your game. I have a cash chip breakdown post in my signature you might want to look at to figure out your banking needs / chip count needs.

and ...

Welcome!​

 

[Bacon Dad]

I have 800 Taj Mahal card molds and not a single spinner.

How many hours of play have you used them?

 

[MattyA]

My first set of chips after finding this website was in 2021 and I bought used casino chips from Apache plus a couple of racks from the classifieds. I got 600 $5’s and 200 $25’s from Apache and 200 $1’s from the classifieds. I think I averaged a bit over a buck a chip but the $5’s were in very much “heavily casino used” condition. This was actually total overkill for what I played at the time which was $1/2 NL with 7-8 people buying in for $300-400. I always had a rack of $100’s in case we ran out of chips but even with rebuys we never did.

If you go this route for 1000 chips you should be able to do for $1500 or less for pretty heavily used chips and the great thing is you can upgrade them over time.

 

[QuailValley]

I’ve heard that Tina’s ends up having a lot of spinners, is that an issue that is very common? Also are china clays just not regarded as good? I’ve heard a lot of positive and negative things about it

Not on the new web and greek hybrids. I recently got my web hybrid set in and they are fantastic. Honestly like them better than Paulsons (IMO)

 

[Labrat]

How many hours of play have you used them?

At least a dozen sessions and I have a shuffle stack I shuffle day in and day out while sitting in meetings that should’ve been emails.

 

[softchewy]

Welcome!
If not in a rush, follow the “get samples” axiom.

The look, feel and sound of Paulson chips has not been duplicated in china clays, etc.
Paulson chips can be found in/near your price range if you keep your eyes open and don’t mind used, or less desirable color combos, etc.
Example:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/700-piece-horseshoe-cash-set-777.121756/

Follow the suggestions above for budget appropriate custom options.

Just realize if you stay here long enough, you will probably end up with both

 

[allforcharity]

I’ve heard that Tina’s ends up having a lot of spinners, is that an issue that is very common? Also are china clays just not regarded as good? I’ve heard a lot of positive and negative things about it

I have not heard the same complaints about Chinese ceramic chips having lots of spinners.
'Good' is a very subjective term, but the fact that full customization, edge printing, and face alignment can be had at no additional cost for the same price puts the ceramics light years ahead of the China Clay injection molded plastics.

Plus, custom = security.

 

[Colquhoun]

I have not heard the same complaints about Chinese ceramic chips having lots of spinners.
'Good' is a very subjective term, but the fact that full customization, edge printing, and face alignment can be had at no additional cost for the same price puts the ceramics light years ahead of the China Clay injection molded plastics.

Plus, custom = security.

The cards mold have had some reports of spinners, but the no-mold has more. I’d say they can be as much as 5-10% spinners, based on the 1,800 I have.
The Tina hybrid ceramics (web, Greek, etc.) have no spinners in my experience.

 

[befamous7]

Dude, I'm in the exact same boat as you lol. As of now I've ordered samples of Milanos, Casino Royales, Apache Monaco's (new web mold 43mm), Apache Royals. I REALLY like the Apache Royals out of the 4 samples. The sound and feel is just what I had in mind.

Like you said, chips are a rabbit hole. I just wanted to upgrade from the generic dice chips and now I'm spending hours a day on this forum (I enjoy it though). The only thing I'm kind of contemplating now is ordering from the group buy/Tina chips. The Apache Royals are China Clay and from what I understand Tina chips aren't. Personally I've decided to forgo Tina chips for now and stick with the Royals.

The best advice I would share as someone in the same boat is to order samples and go with what you like best.

 

[allforcharity]

The cards mold have had some reports of spinners, but the no-mold has more. I’d say they can be as much as 5-10% spinners, based on the 1,800 I have.

Holy shit, that's a lot of spinners

 

[darkskulls147]

We would usually recommend 1200 chips for 2 full tables of 10.
200-300x $1, 400-500× $5, 200-300x $25, and 100-200x $100. Whatever your biggest bank nights will be.
Your budget puts you fully into Tina custom ceramics, but also within shooting distance of most BR Pro and SunFly offerings.
Personally I would avoid what we call China Clays, as the value is just not there compared to today's ceramic options.

This is a random question but are scrolls poker chips a br poker ceramic? I have a sample set of those and my entire group really loves those but doesn’t like the design.

 

[darkskulls147]

If you're looking for Paulson (casino chips):

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/jumers-cash-set-purge-posting-23.122383/

This should be able to accommodate a single table of $1/2, $1/3 for slightly over your budget. You'll need an additional rack or two of $5s and possibly $1s if you want a second table.

If you're looking for custom chips, web or Greek mold through Justin is the way to go bang for the buck wise. Work with one of the many designers on here & you'll have a great set within 2-3 months. Order samples!

You can also purchase a stop gap set like many of us do while waiting the time/$$ to pursue the longer term/goal set.

Hmm I want paulsons but I would prefer to have at least 1k chips in my set, which would be too hard to make a matching Paulson set. Idk why but I like having more chips when we play. However would paulsons be the smartest because they keep their value?

Also are web or Greek molds ceramic or china clay and how do they compare to typical china clays or Tina’s?

Also what’s a stop gap set? Sorry for so many questions

 

[surfik]

I think Hustlers Casino replicas from Tina are great choice, I belive there is Group Buy running currently

 

[Postoakpoker]

Hmm I want paulsons but I would prefer to have at least 1k chips in my set, which would be too hard to make a matching Paulson set. Idk why but I like having more chips when we play. However would paulsons be the smartest because they keep their value?

Also are web or Greek molds ceramic or china clay and how do they compare to typical china clays or Tina’s?

Also what’s a stop gap set? Sorry for so many questions

Paulsons are fairly stable in their values, although that varies with many factors including the strength of the economy (there will be less demand for "luxuries" during harder times). I would look at how many chips you realistically need for your game & go from there.

There are a lot of great resources available on the forum to give you guidelines for how many chips you need.

Greek/web molds are considered ceramic. There are already a ton of threads comparing China clay (or CC as sometimes abbreviated) and ceramics/Tina's.

A stop gap set just means a set that you're reasonably happy with for the time being while you work on building your longer-term ideal set. I.e. if your goal is to get a 1K set of Paulsons, you might buy a China clay or Tina set while you either save enough money to purchase a full Paulson set at once OR purchase pieces of a Paulson set over time until you have the full set.

Good luck on your journey & remember that the search function is your friend as whatever questions you have likely have been asked & answered before.

 

[darkskulls147]

We

My first set of chips after finding this website was in 2021 and I bought used casino chips from Apache plus a couple of racks from the classifieds. I got 600 $5’s and 200 $25’s from Apache and 200 $1’s from the classifieds. I think I averaged a bit over a buck a chip but the $5’s were in very much “heavily casino used” condition. This was actually total overkill for what I played at the time which was $1/2 NL with 7-8 people buying in for $300-400. I always had a rack of $100’s in case we ran out of chips but even with rebuys we never did.

If you go this route for 1000 chips you should be able to do for $1500 or less for pretty heavily used chips and the great thing is you can upgrade them over time.

if u don’t mind me asking what chips from Apache did you get? And in the last part, do u mean for paulsons

 

[darkskulls147]

Welcome!
If not in a rush, follow the “get samples” axiom.

The look, feel and sound of Paulson chips has not been duplicated in china clays, etc.
Paulson chips can be found in/near your price range if you keep your eyes open and don’t mind used, or less desirable color combos, etc.
Example:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/700-piece-horseshoe-cash-set-777.121756/

Follow the suggestions above for budget appropriate custom options.

Just realize if you stay here long enough, you will probably end up with both

Wait a second, that listing you sent might be perfect. I definitely don’t mind used chips and I actually love the horseshoe casino in Vegas, so these are up my alley. I’ll take a look into buying these

 

[darkskulls147]

Not on the new web and greek hybrids. I recently got my web hybrid set in and they are fantastic. Honestly like them better than Paulsons (IMO)

When you say web or Greek hybrid, is it still a ceramic? I tried finding reviews on these chips and could not find any. How do webs or Greeks compare to Tina’s card mold or no molds? Or br poker?

 

[MattyA]

We

if u don’t mind me asking what chips from Apache did you get? And in the last part, do u mean for paulsons

The nickels were HSI and the quarters were Lady Luck. The $1 chips I got from the classifieds were Detroit MGM Grand (btw I had no idea at the time I was basically committing a PCF felony to have a mixed set that used different molds, lol).