Considering Building my First Set; How the Hell? (3 Viewers)

merkong

merkong

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Ok… So I’ve been playing/hosting for over 20 years but only moved to denominated chips a couple of months ago (I know, I know… Anyone interested in several thousand dice chips lol)

After picking our cash set (nothing special but I had only been bitten by the monster. The venom had yet to fully take hold. I’ve made some great buys in the classifieds to add a cool heads up rack, an 8 man freeze out set, and some really cool barrels. I’m in on the group buy to be delivered in late January and that set (43mm Bellagio tribute CC’s) will become our cash game set.

If a guy wanted to build a set, how the hell does he go about it? Are all the chips supposed to be same etc etc? I would be considering another cash set and eventually a tourney set (although we’re pretty much a cash game only crew at present).

So, I’m looking for a project. What’s the motivation behind building a set, how hard is it, and does it take a long time? Again, I assume all the chips “match” but maybe that’s too black and white.

Thanks.

Ken in MN
 
Good idea. The players have changed over that time but them calling me “Godfather” has perpetuated.

Hmmm… Godfather. So custom labels on chips I can replace the inlays or murder.

Shoot, now I might need advice on something along those lines…

It never ends. Thankfully.
 
Motivation: for some, security. A set is personalized or my own, I know people arent bringing in dice chips from Target which we've chosen to mean $100 or whatever. Motivation is also personalization, where you're the only person with that custom set ot breakdown. Some people just love collecting and hate money.

How hard, depends on your chips. Many want same mold, and theres some sets of colors that persist, either go along with it or shatter the tradition, whatever works for you.

The Godfather would be an epic set. Nice rich Italian colors throughout.
 
merkong said:
If a guy wanted to build a set, how the hell does he go about it? Are all the chips supposed to be same etc etc? I would be considering another cash set and eventually a tourney set (although we’re pretty much a cash game only crew at present).

So, I’m looking for a project. What’s the motivation behind building a set, how hard is it, and does it take a long time? Again, I assume all the chips “match” but maybe that’s too black and white.
Click to expand...
Without knowing your budget and what kind of chips you prefer, it's hard to answer anything really.
 
No real budgetary limits… I mean I wouldn’t drop several thousand. Probably looking labeling something. Cash set. 8-10 players. .25/.25 game. Weighty chips are nice. Have experience with card molds. Still trying to figure out what all the hub bub is about THC (whoops and there goes the thread lol). Have a 43mm set and like them. Into strong colors with popping edge spots.

Does a guy just find the right set and murder them?
 
merkong said:
Good idea. The players have changed over that time but them calling me “Godfather” has perpetuated.

Hmmm… Godfather. So custom labels on chips I can replace the inlays or murder.

Shoot, now I might need advice on something along those lines…

It never ends. Thankfully.
Click to expand...

Godfather sounds like a good start!

Murdering/over labeling is an option for semi customs (@Nanook can probably help with murdering too), but don't rule out CPC. Get samples as each CPC mold feels quite different. There are ceramic options too. Did I mention samples??
 
Ken, this is a relabel project I am currently working on to give you an idea of cost. These 500 chips (Top Hat & Cane) cost me around $1,300. Design work for the custom inlay is about $150-$200. Print services are around 20 cents a piece so $200. I did all of the inlay removal myself. Total for this project will be around $1,700. I plan on adding on more reds at a later date.

Paulsons.jpg
 
merkong said:
Cash set. 8-10 players. .25/.25 game.
Click to expand...

Some things to consider for this breakdown:

- Do most players raise pre flop, or is there lots of limping (more quarters will be needed to avoid making change)?

- How many buy ins does the average player go through in a night?

- How many BBs can players buy in for/top up to?

Example for 10 players that mostly raise pre flop with a 100BB max buy in:

120 x 25c
300 x $1
60 x $5
20 x $20

$1030 bank gives each of the 10 players $103 or 4 100 BB buy ins. If that's too much/too little adjust the amount of $5 and $20 denominations. You can also use $25s instead of $20s for more value.
 
I like that breakdown. My co-conspirator and neighbor ordered our first denominated cash set and we’re a little heavy on 5’s.

It just reminds me to really think it through. I labored for days in my group but order.

Thanks for the input
 
You could consider CPC (Classic Poker Chips), perhaps one of their stock designs. I guess you could say they are semi custom. For example, the Rounders set (from the movie Rounders)

Another option would be a stock design of Key West Resort and Casino. https://www.keywestresortcasino.com/key-west-casino-chips.html

For more creativity and a cheaper way to build a dream set, in ceramics, you could see Tina's Cards molds https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ramics-master-consolidated-info-thread.65544/
 
@Goldfish has made several custom sets. But they’re not cheap.

merkong said:
No real budgetary limits… I mean I wouldn’t drop several thousand. Probably looking labeling something. Cash set. 8-10 players. .25/.25 game. Weighty chips are nice. Have experience with card molds. Still trying to figure out what all the hub bub is about THC (whoops and there goes the thread lol). Have a 43mm set and like them. Into strong colors with popping edge spots.
Click to expand...

What is your definition of “weighty?” Almost all recent RHC/THC are 8-9g. Leaded heavier chips will not be a good place to start.

Also, “43mm” and “strong colors with popping edge spots” IHC is probably the most costly combination of words you could possibly string together short of “mint condition high denom TRK.”

I think Bellagio CCs are a great starting option and have a set coming myself.
 
SteveEH said:
Some things to consider for this breakdown:

- Do most players raise pre flop, or is there lots of limping (more quarters will be needed to avoid making change)?

- How many buy ins does the average player go through in a night?

- How many BBs can players buy in for/top up to?

Example for 10 players that mostly raise pre flop with a 100BB max buy in:

120 x 25c
300 x $1
60 x $5
20 x $20

$1030 bank gives each of the 10 players $103 or 4 100 BB buy ins. If that's too much/too little adjust the amount of $5 and $20 denominations. You can also use $25s instead of $20s for more value.
Click to expand...
One of the clearest posts I've seen on these stakes in a while! Well worded and concise. This is super helpful reminder for me, who runs games at these stakes and has for years, and for new members as well.
 
Threads like this get me going. I love it!

There is a lot of great advice above, so I won't repeat a lot of the key points. One thing that I would either signal boost or mention outright is that how you build your set is entirely up to you. Not the most actionable advice, I know, but it is worth saying in a few respects:

1 - Do the chips have to match? Not really - it depends on your level of comfort with this. See "rat rod" sets that pick a mold and then differentiate within that or sets that mix "house molds" or "retro molds". You can really riff a lot here. Find a chip type that you love (see also: samples) and then riff from there.

2 - Is there a single breakdown that works for everyone? Again, not really. A lot of suggested sets are built around ten handed tables at typical buy-in patterns (and there is a reason for this - it's the most flexible). However, let's say you know that you'll never have ten at the table for various reasons - you can adjust from there. If you know a $20 buy in will be set in stone for the life of the set, you can build around that. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but starting with the conventional wisdom and then riffing from there is a good move.

3 - If you're not wedded to THC Paulsons, explore the wonderful world of chips! Some of my favorite custom sets have been on "China Clay" chips with custom labels, ceramics, or even plastics. The theme and the love carries a lot. Sure, Paulsons carry clout and for a reason...but they are far from the only option that will make you happy.

This is probably a whole lot of muddying the water, but I have all the confidence that you'll find your set. If push comes to shove, hand clean several racks of casino used ugly chips and I guarantee you'll want to keep them! :)
 
merkong said:
Good idea. The players have changed over that time but them calling me “Godfather” has perpetuated.

Hmmm… Godfather. So custom labels on chips I can replace the inlays or murder.

Shoot, now I might need advice on something along those lines…

It never ends. Thankfully.
Click to expand...
1671647422879.png
 
Last edited:
Go custom. It is the only thing that makes sense right now. They are expensive but not prohibitively so. Your group will all have an attachment to them and they will remain special forever. The new stuff (last 4 years or so) that everyone is clamoring over are great, but there is little value there (ie incredibly overpriced imho) and while good chips, your players won't appreciate them like they would a custom set.
 
ChipEnvy said:
Go custom. It is the only thing that makes sense right now. They are expensive but not prohibitively so. Your group will all have an attachment to them and they will remain special forever. The new stuff (last 4 years or so) that everyone is clamoring over are great, but there is little value there (ie incredibly overpriced imho) and while good chips, your players won't appreciate them like they would a custom set.
Click to expand...

And go CPC. If you are gonna do it, do it right. Putting labels over existing chips... it's just not the same.
 
ChipEnvy said:
And go CPC. If you are gonna do it, do it right. Putting labels over existing chips... it's just not the same.
Click to expand...
Obviously this ends up being a personal choice. I’ve handled CPCs and they’re just not the same as Paulsons. Depends if one cares more about the chip or the inlay I guess.
 
merkong said:
No real budgetary limits… I mean I wouldn’t drop several thousand.
Click to expand...
Sorry to say this, but these two statements contradict each other. It's still a wide range with plenty of options, but sounds like you have a budget of 3000 or less.

Next month, if you feel satisfied with the 43mm card mold, that's great! Have you tried the Royal China clays yet? They're also a great option at 60c each.

Otherwise, if you let that venom spread and start looking at more expensive options, you may have to reconsider your budget. The longer you hang around here, the more dangerous it is for your wallet ;)
 
No.1 rule - get samples!

99% of your players won't notice if your chips cost 10c each or $100 each. So buy what you want and what you enjoy. Some people like plastic, some ceramic, most like clay, some are snooty and require Paulsons, some even more snooty and need leaded TRKs. Get some samples in your hand and then decide what you like. If you want to mix them up, go for it - don't let us tell you what's right or wrong.

At the end of the day it's your choice and preference. I have a few custom CPC sets, a couple TRK sets, a few Paulson sets and tons of ceramics. Personally my CPC and TRKs are staying with me forever - the others I'm not so bothered about. And I hate inlay replacements on clay chips - the whole point to me of a clay chip is that the chip and inlay are one unified thing. But that's my personal preference - may here have spent lots of money on expensive chips and replaced the inlays.
 
No budget limit, but won’t spend $3K: Need an answer here.

Some say CPC, some say Paulson: You need to feel them for yourself. I personally think CPC is cheap feeling compared to leaded THC, BUT! CPC you get to customize…

Answering the first question will determine your direction.

Good luck!
 
1671651641601.jpeg


That one rack of 43mm Mexican Rose SB $500s cost me $3000 to piece together over months. And it’s not the most expensive rack in the picture. The rabbit hole runs deep. If you’re satisfied with casino used RHC it won’t be too bad but that’s like a gateway drug around here.

I do think CPCs allow you to get exactly the colors, spots, and inlays you want without having to navigate the mercurial availability and pricing of the classifieds. Though you will have to check PCF very often as many lots get dibsed in less than 30 minutes and some in 1 minute or less. Having said that I understand the queue for CPCs is what? A year now? Gear’s label queue is almost that long maybe!
 
The biggest thing, I think, is touching at least a barrel or so of various chip types. Like RHC, THC, the different CPC molds, China Clays, regular ceramics, molded ceramics, sluggos, high end plastics, older clay chips, etc. Once you know which ones FEEL good to you, then you can go on to the aesthetics. That's where the real effort and cost can come into play. You might, for example, find that you don't like CPCs at ALL. Or you might find that Paulsons aren't worth the cost ratio versus ceramics for you personally. I have handled most chip types outside of TRKs and obscure stuff at this point - I've been surprised several times about what I like and don't like.
 

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