CPC vs China Clay (3 Viewers)

[Solzol]

Is it just me, or do classic poker chips feel kinda cheep?
I've been wanting to upgrade from my dice chips to something nicer; so like anyone, I watched ridiculous amounts of YouTube reviews, then opted to order sample sets of CPC Atlantic Club and china clay Majestic's.
For a premium chip coming in at $2.30 per chip, I expected to love the CPC, but instead found myself very underwhelmed by the weight(8.5g), sound, and overall feel (although I love the HH mold, design, and colors). I don't think I would ever want to own a set of classic poker chips; even if I could find a set half off.
I didnt really know what to expect from the majestics, as I've never used china clays before, but I instantly fell in love with them. The weight(9.5g), texture, sound, and overall feel, is really nice to play with. There's nothing special about the mold or design, but to pay $.49 per chip for a set that just feels right; I think this is a no-brainer decision.
Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

 

[LeLe]

Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

Similar to wine tasting.

Cheap and expensive Wine are going to taste about the same to wine amateur / beginner and they not going to understand what the fk is the differences even when being explained to.

These things take time to develop and understand.

 

[Darson]

You’re not the first to have this opinion nor will you be the last. But you’re on a forum with a bunch of chip nerds so don’t be surprised when very few people here agree with you.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

If you fell in love with china clays, good! Dont let anyone convince you otherwise, buy a cheap set and run away!

But they're less secure, will wear worse and I dont like the smell. I think CPC shuffle much better when broken in and feel much nicer, sound nicer. Just overall better quality product.

 

[iLogik]

the generic sample set is meh, try getting a custom sample set from ppl around here, imo those make you rethink it.

China clay will show its true value sooner than later btw.

In the end, get what you feel you will enjoy or can customize to your liking.

Also, get as many samples as possible!

Have fun chipping!

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

Is it just me, or do classic poker chips feel kinda cheep?
I've been wanting to upgrade from my dice chips to something nicer; so like anyone, I watched ridiculous amounts of YouTube reviews, then opted to order sample sets of CPC Atlantic Club and china clay Majestic's.
For a premium chip coming in at $2.30 per chip, I expected to love the CPC, but instead found myself very underwhelmed by the weight(8.5g), sound, and overall feel (although I love the HH mold, design, and colors). I don't think I would ever want to own a set of classic poker chips; even if I could find a set half off.
I didnt really know what to expect from the majestics, as I've never used china clays before, but I instantly fell in love with them. The weight(9.5g), texture, sound, and overall feel, is really nice to play with. There's nothing special about the mold or design, but to pay $.49 per chip for a set that just feels right; I think this is a no-brainer decision.
Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

It’s like a new plastic shoe that may look nice and shiny at first, but never breaks in and starts to smell after awhile versus a leather shoe that once broken in, molds to your feet, lasts much longer, and just feels right. A CPC custom set will probably last forever, while China clays have a much shorter life span.

 

[dinosaur]

Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

You are missing nothing.
Enjoy the Majestics and never look back.

Ps. You’re welcome.

 

[springbox]

I think the allure of CPCs is getting to choose your colors, labels, and spot designs. Compared to China Clays I also heavily prefer the textured surface and the molding. That all being said, they're limited in color palette, are quite expensive, and the light weight is a turn off for some. I find myself flipping back and forth, sometimes I like a heavy chip, sometimes a lighter one feels nice. People tend to assume weightier things must be higher quality, but the heaviest chips I owned were the shittiest.

I don't agree as much with people who insist they're naturally superior and just harder to appreciate. If you don't like them, you don't like them (i.e. "there's no accounting for taste"). The most durable chip is a plastic one. The most customizable chip is a plastic one. Sure not the bottom end plastics, but even the nicer ones are still less expensive than comparable clay. CPCs are expensive because they're boutique manufacturing and they use specialized materials and machinery. I say this as someone with a set of CPCs I love.

 

[Highli99]

Start drinking whiskey, coffee, or wine. In the beginning, differences will not be apparent. But over time you’ll know. And many of us have been at this for decades. CPC is a high quality product made by hand that will last generations. Each set is is work of art.

But if its not your cup of tea, that's okay. I love them the most after a few years of shuffling has occurred.

 

[Zema1111]

I proudly own both Majestics and custom CPC set.
To compare these is like comparing regular production car with basic interior to a fully custom build car. These chips are in the different leagues.
My favorite part is when I win large pot and have to stack CPCs together. Something about it that no gimmicks can do. Just my two cents.

 

[MichaelBubly]

When I was new, I bought a rounders sample set along with China Claus, ABS, and ceramics. I didn't like CPC much, especially for the price.

That was then noob me. Current me just spent $4k on a custom set that's coming this summer and I'm beyond excited to get them in. My tastes have evolved the longer I've collected. I've had time to find what's important to me in a chip. CPC checks most if not all of my boxes while other options only cater to some of them.

 

[Natskule]

Is it just me, or do classic poker chips feel kinda cheep?
I've been wanting to upgrade from my dice chips to something nicer; so like anyone, I watched ridiculous amounts of YouTube reviews, then opted to order sample sets of CPC Atlantic Club and china clay Majestic's.
For a premium chip coming in at $2.30 per chip, I expected to love the CPC, but instead found myself very underwhelmed by the weight(8.5g), sound, and overall feel (although I love the HH mold, design, and colors). I don't think I would ever want to own a set of classic poker chips; even if I could find a set half off.
I didnt really know what to expect from the majestics, as I've never used china clays before, but I instantly fell in love with them. The weight(9.5g), texture, sound, and overall feel, is really nice to play with. There's nothing special about the mold or design, but to pay $.49 per chip for a set that just feels right; I think this is a no-brainer decision.
Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

LOL at the weight critique. Heard it a lot from folks coming from dice chips. Some folks even think casino Paulsons are too light compared to sluggos. I understand it a bit, if you are making the comparison after only a half hour or so. But once you had a night with CPC then you won't be eyeing China Clays anymore.

The problem isn't that CPCs are inferior, it's that they are lighter than what you are used to., Paulsons are too. Hell I was there before, think a lot of us have been. Coming from dice chips I thought China Clays were awesome. Customized a whole set, now I'm giving them away to make room for some CPCs, Paulsons and some ceramics. I'll never go back to China Clays, but they were a nice place to start at.

 

[RagingAZN]

At the end of the day, it’s your money so as long as you are happy with what you buy, that’s all that matters. Who cares if a bunch of randoms on a forum don’t agree with you. Buy chips that suit you and your game, not others.

With that being said, get lots of samples, try all the chips out. You’ll find your tastes might change over time.

Good luck on your journey!

 

[Solzol]

I thought i liked this, but now i like that. I thought i liked that, and then i saw this. Lol. So far this is how it's been going over the last 2 weeks. I appreciate the input guys.

 

[allforcharity]

There is no comparison. CPC is far superior.

 

[bigblind]

this is why you get samples
I'm a ASM/CPC person

 

[upNdown]

Clay chips can be ann acquired taste. I had a similar reaction when I first handled samples of China clay and Paulsons - I thought they were comparable but gave the edge to the Milanos. Now, years later, I’ll tell you that China clays are smelly plastic junk and that there are better alternatives if you’re looking to save money.

 

[Taghkanic]

It’s just you (and maybe two others).

People will say that it’s just a matter of taste. Well, sure… Much like some people’s taste says that Thomas Kincaid is a better artist than Picasso, or that Bob Dylan shouldn’t have been allowed to sing.

 

[Timmah]

I used a metal slug set for over 10 years. I then stumbled upon the BR Poker website. I bought samples and eventually bought a large Nevada Jacks ceramic set. They were amazing compared to what I was using. Then I stumbled upon PCF. I bought a couple custom Tina hybrid sets. The nice thing about them is they’re totally customizable. I’m in the process of building a Paulson cash set and am saving up for a CPC tournament set. You’ll find what’s best for you.

I agree with the statement to get CPC samples that other people have made. You can really see what’s possible. You can also see the colors in person.

 

[Rooster410]

Selling a great set of China Clay if you're interested!
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/apache-royal-cash-set.117648/

 

[Labrat]

Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

To be honest, I've never handled a CPC/ASM chip in my life and probably never will because I have a ton of other interests to dump my money into than poker chips, but they are expensive and they are expensive for good reason:

1 - Completely custom compression-molded
2 - Hand made
3 - Pretty much the only compression molded chip you can completely customize.

Now, in my opinion, China Clays are being upstaged in a big, big way by "Tina" ceramics.

These have been a complete game-changer, in my opinion, in that you can get completely custom artwork/edgespots on a chip for starting at around 30 cents each up to around 46+ cents, depending on mold/style.

To me, nowadays, that is amazing.

 

[Solzol]

Selling a great set of China Clay if you're interested!
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/apache-royal-cash-set.117648/

I've got samples of these coming in the mail. I've never handled 43mm chips, so I'll have to play around with them for a bit and let you know. But I wouldn't be opposed to buying your set. It looks very reasonable.

 

[Fishman]

Is it just me, or do classic poker chips feel kinda cheep?

Not only you. I think this thread already covered why.

See thread below. My dice chip users said of CPC: "these are too light" and I quote, "these are a shit potato" (translated from a different language)

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ice-chip-players-said-cpc-are-garbage.119545/

(Of course this is coming from a group who are absolutely convinced that chips need to be 2x heavier because bigger is better, also dice chips are official casino weight, also Amazon chips say "clay chips" for $100/set and they can't lie about that.)

Personally I loved my CPC samples - I'll be getting a Key West set soon. I'd order a stack of 20 to shuffle before making a decision.

 

[QuailValley]

Most of my group really likes heavier chips. In that they would prefer a metal slug chip to a Paulson. But none of them are chip snobs.

IMO I like the China Clays for what they are (the Apache ones over say Milano. I really dont like Milanos). That said what really takes the cake are the Tina Ceramics. The ability to order exactly what you want with whatever design/customization you want is fantastic. And the newer hybrids that are coming out have super vibrant colors and overall really great feel/quality.

Still not the same quality as a Paulson set, but significantly more affordable.

 

[merkong]

CPC for the win. Other chips stack up to them, fewer will actually hold up like them.

And China Clay v. CPC?

What planet am I on?

 

[Zema1111]

I agree with the statement to get CPC samples that other people have made. You can really see what’s possible. You can also see the colors in person.

Yes, agree, but from my own experience, having samples from CPC in different molds does NOT do justice to how AMAZING it feels to have 10-12 chips of the same texture (mold) so you can truly feel how they shuffle and drop. I have a stack of my own CPCs at my office so when I'm stressed I can always shuffle those bad boys. LOL

 

[LawdyD]

Is it just me, or do classic poker chips feel kinda cheep?
I've been wanting to upgrade from my dice chips to something nicer; so like anyone, I watched ridiculous amounts of YouTube reviews, then opted to order sample sets of CPC Atlantic Club and china clay Majestic's.
For a premium chip coming in at $2.30 per chip, I expected to love the CPC, but instead found myself very underwhelmed by the weight(8.5g), sound, and overall feel (although I love the HH mold, design, and colors). I don't think I would ever want to own a set of classic poker chips; even if I could find a set half off.
I didnt really know what to expect from the majestics, as I've never used china clays before, but I instantly fell in love with them. The weight(9.5g), texture, sound, and overall feel, is really nice to play with. There's nothing special about the mold or design, but to pay $.49 per chip for a set that just feels right; I think this is a no-brainer decision.
Am I missing something here? What's so great about CPC? They don't seem so premium to me?

I’m in a similar spot, but China clays are out at this point. I’m used to casino chips and at this point I know China clays(I used to have a set) won’t cut it for me anymore. It’s a personal preference thing. Paulson will hold value best. CPC, from what I am learning, won’t hold value like Paulson will. China clays will be even worse. If that matters.

 

[BPTDirector]

I’m in a similar spot, but China clays are out at this point. I’m used to casino chips and at this point I know China clays(I used to have a set) won’t cut it for me anymore. It’s a personal preference thing. Paulson will hold value best. CPC, from what I am learning, won’t hold value like Paulson will. China clays will be even worse. If that matters.

You are right, but most that have CPC chips made keep them for life. That’s why you take your time during design.

 

[LawdyD]

You are right, but most that have CPC chips made keep them for life. That’s why you take your time during design.

I’m in contact with David at CPC asking some questions. I’m drawn to the Rounders set, but I may design my own with them. Also considering some other options right now. Paulson options.

 

[springbox]

I’m in a similar spot, but China clays are out at this point. I’m used to casino chips and at this point I know China clays(I used to have a set) won’t cut it for me anymore. It’s a personal preference thing. Paulson will hold value best. CPC, from what I am learning, won’t hold value like Paulson will. China clays will be even worse. If that matters.

CPCs are definitely not an investment. Outside of stock rounders, they seem to sell closer to half their purchase price. There's just not a lot of demand for chips someone else customized to their liking (even though they are remarkably easy to relabel).