Ditching Paulsons for CPC Customs?? (1 Viewer)

[JeepologyOffroad]

For custom chips, they feel that they're gimmicky.

It’s not just non-chippers. Although there are a few custom sets I love, and a bunch more that I appreciate, it all just feels very gimmicky. Match them with a dealer button and some custom bunch chips and all-in plaques, all on a matching custom cloth, and it just feels like play time.

And I don’t mean to rain on anybody’s parade - you do you. I’m just saying it’s another thing to consider. Are you getting customs to keep up with the Jones’s here on PCF, or will it actually make you happy to theme out your poker room like a theme park?

Oddly I’ve always felt the same. I’ve designed and come close to ordering artistic custom cloth opposed to my basic felts many times, but I just can’t convince myself to pull the trigger. I’m actually at this exact crossroads again now with a felt I designed.

I seriously love seeing everyone else’s custom felts and truly think they are so damn cool. I think it would be so much more interesting playing on custom felts. Immediately inspires me to work on stuff… but when I start to go down the path myself it feels cringy. Slightly bugs me. Wish I could just run with a theme like most here.

I will say having been to both ends of the spectrum with high end leaded THC and also having made CPC customs I have zero regrets going down that road despite having the feelings above. I’m still on the fence about running with a theme outside of just on the chips. Doesn’t change how I feel about my customs though. Going through the process of customs has really opened up my appreciation and love for other’s custom sets that I just didn’t realize could ever be there.

 

[BearMetal]

Oddly I’ve always felt the same. I’ve designed and come close to ordering artistic custom cloth opposed to my basic felts many times, but I just can’t convince myself to pull the trigger. I’m actually at this exact crossroads again now with a felt I designed.

I seriously love seeing everyone else’s custom felts and truly think they are so damn cool. I think it would be so much more interesting playing on custom felts. Immediately inspires me to work on stuff… but when I start to go down the path myself it feels cringy. Slightly bugs me. Wish I could just run with a theme like most here.

I will say having been to both ends of the spectrum with high end leaded THC and also having made CPC customs I have zero regrets going down that road despite having the feelings above. I’m still on the fence about running with a theme outside of just on the chips. Doesn’t change how I feel about my customs though. Going through the process of customs has really opened up my appreciation and love for other’s custom sets that I just didn’t realize could ever be there.

The whole tablecloth thing being gimmicky is actually something that has never occurred to me. I've played on custom tables before, and upside down lettering depending on which side I'm on doesn't really bother me. I suppose yes if the artwork was symmetrical in all directions then it would be less tilty, but in general I think I'd rather have some really cool artwork on a table and a couple of players be on the wrong side of it. Perhaps this is why I went decagon instead of oval... Most spots from my table show the artwork in a mostly correct orientation.

So if I had to make a choice as to which chips go, I suppose I would say my CPCs. Although I loved making them and put a lot of time and effort into them, all of my other sets with their history and casino feel are just too important to get rid of. Of course, I would then immediately go and create another CPC set to replace the one that I was forced to get rid of, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt I guess.

@JeepologyOffroad You're a fantastic designer and you should absolutely be producing custom cloth and chips for yourself to enjoy. It is especially satisfying when you are the creator of the artwork. Let all those other tilty players be damned!

 

[chipinla]

I once asked my players this question. After dismissing their initial answers of, "I don't care what I play with. Chips seems stupid. Why do you spend so much money on them", I actually got some real answers out of them.

Most of them prefer casino chips (Paulsons). This is because it gives them the feel that they're actually high rollers in a real casino. They think it's cool that we've liberated them and now own them in our own home.

For custom chips, they feel that they're gimmicky. Unless they are completely in love with your theme, the chip is going to mean even less to them than casino chips. And again, these are people that really don't care about things like edge spot progression or even colors.

So I guess what I'm saying is that I hate playing with the people I play with.

... But, seriously, I think it's a matter of what's more important to you. Is authentic casino chips with history important? Or is creating your own custom artwork in chip form and using that in your own home important?

Tropicana history is very different than Jack Cincinnati history though haha

 

[chipinla]

It’s not just non-chippers. Although there are a few custom sets I love, and a bunch more that I appreciate, it all just feels very gimmicky. Match them with a dealer button and some custom bunch chips and all-in plaques, all on a matching custom cloth, and it just feels like play time.

And I don’t mean to rain on anybody’s parade - you do you. I’m just saying it’s another thing to consider. Are you getting customs to keep up with the Jones’s here on PCF, or will it actually make you happy to theme out your poker room like a theme park?

My next theme just for you ha

 

[BearMetal]

Tropicana history is very different than Jack Cincinnati history though haha

Hahaha, true! This is why for sets that I have that don't have that "history" it's more about the condition of the chip and it's overall look to me. And then of course there are the sets that I have that do have the history.

So I guess for me there are two different Paulson reasons...

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

The whole tablecloth thing being gimmicky is actually something that has never occurred to me. I've played on custom tables before, and upside down lettering depending on which side I'm on doesn't really bother me. I suppose yes if the artwork was symmetrical in all directions then it would be less tilty, but in general I think I'd rather have some really cool artwork on a table and a couple of players be on the wrong side of it. Perhaps this is why I went decagon instead of oval... Most spots from my table show the artwork in a mostly correct orientation.

So if I had to make a choice as to which chips go, I suppose I would say my CPCs. Although I loved making them and put a lot of time and effort into them, all of my other sets with their history and casino feel are just too important to get rid of. Of course, I would then immediately go and create another CPC set to replace the one that I was forced to get rid of, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt I guess.

@JeepologyOffroad You're a fantastic designer and you should absolutely be producing custom cloth and chips for yourself to enjoy. It is especially satisfying when you are the creator of the artwork. Let all those other tilty players be damned!

Asymmetrical orientation of the art doesn’t bother me one bit. Just the plastering it everywhere… but I love when other people do it. So I guess you could say I’m “theme park curious” but when it comes time to take the plunge myself I feel like it’s not for me…. But I’m still marinating on this now. I have a felt designed that I really do love.

 

[upNdown]

My next theme just for you ha

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I say go for it. I’m absolutely not giving people crap. I’ve told @detroitdad that he has the goat custom cloth. I’m very jealous of it. But at the same time, I’m pretty sure that sort of thing just isn’t for me.

 

[chipinla]

I say go for it. I’m absolutely not giving people crap. I’ve told @detroitdad that he has the goat custom cloth. I’m very jealous of it. But at the same time, I’m pretty sure that sort of thing just isn’t for me.

This is the next NAGB… I’ll prepare the NDA

 

[upNdown]

This is the next NAGB… I’ll prepare the NDA

There actually was a game of thrones group buy, a few years back. Long interesting story.

 

[BSteck]

Just the plastering it everywhere

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

Just went and fondled my customs and some of my favorite Paulsons for a bit… man there is just something there about customs. Sure I guess they are “gimmicky”, but same could be argued for getting deep in a lot of hobbies in general. Paulson Customs do feel like the pinnacle of the hobby for me if there could ever be such a thing.

but I love when other people do it.

^

View attachment 863144

 

[chipinla]

Just went and fondled my customs and some of my favorite Paulsons for a bit… man there is just something there about customs. Sure I guess they are “gimmicky”, but same could be argued for getting deep in a lot of hobbies in general. Paulson Customs do feel like the pinnacle of the hobby for me if there could ever be such a thing.


^

Fondling my customs on a Sunday morning is the best

 

[allforcharity]

Exactly my point. If this is what makes you happy, then you go for it. But that's perhaps why there should not be a choice between the two. In my mind, it's not one or the other. It's what makes you happy, and for the people here I believe what makes most of us happy is having both.

And not only both, but multiple sets of both! Plus ceramic and plaque options! Etc.

 

[Tonysquander]

I was all set on just hunting for a paulson THC set (or various sets)..and now this thread popped up and now i am trying to figure out if i want to get my own custom cpc set..this forum is a bad influence.

Been there, just did that. CPC Order is in and I also very much like the fact I will be receiving exactly what I want in the exact amounts I want and for the same price every other person is paying for the same product.

 

[Eloe2000]

I found this place trying to figure out how to customize/personalize chips. I have that figured out now. My CPC sets are really end game for me. With cards mold as backup and/or for when I play with wild animals. I am not, and have never been, a collector of things. So everything else is getting sold. My hobbies have more to do with experiences. While my desire for chip acquisition has evaporated almost completely, it is the fun experiences here related to design, community, and poker in general that will ensure I am here for a while to come.

 

[LeGold]

I found this place trying to figure out how to customize/personalize chips. I have that figured out now. My CPC sets are really end game for me. With cards mold as backup and/or for when I play with wild animals. I am not, and have never been, a collector of things. So everything else is getting sold. My hobbies have more to do with experiences. While my desire for chip acquisition has evaporated almost completely, it is the fun experiences here related to design, community, and poker in general that will ensure I am here for a while to come.

Dibs VLV $1ks!

 

[Coyote]

Been there, just did that. CPC Order is in and I also very much like the fact I will be receiving exactly what I want in the exact amounts I want and for the same price every other person is paying for the same product.

This must be framed on PCF's wall, like a holy icon.

 

[upNdown]

and for the same price every other person is paying for the same product.

This is something about our hobby that’s flat out insane. Not only are there no price guides for our sets, and not only are the “market prices” constantly changing, but to get one of those sets, you usually have to buy it from some random guy who posted in classifieds, and hope for the best. I’ve been around here for a few years, paying attention to everything, and I have a hard time saying what stuff is worth these days. It’s got to be crazy intimidating for a new guy.
If we’re comparing CPCs to Paulsons, that’s a point we rarely mention - when you buy from CPC, you’re buying with security from a reputable company, and you’re paying exactly what they’re worth.

 

[Coyote]

If we’re comparing CPCs to Paulsons, that’s a point we rarely mention - when you buy from CPC, you’re buying with security from a reputable company, and you’re paying exactly what they’re worth.

I have always been mentioning that point.

Especially for people based outside North America, with crippling import taxes and expensive shipping, sending chips back and forth the Atlantic to complete a set is suicidal.

 

[upNdown]

I have always been mentioning that point.

Hey, you post almost as much as I do. Who can keep track?

 

[CrazyEddie]

One of my former players that was vocal about not liking my ASM set asked me if they're hollow or fake clay. Always what you want to hear with a brand new set.

fixed it for you

 

[warewulf]

Remember too that the mold changes the feel considerable. I used to think I didn't like CPCs because of the feel...turns out I just don't like the feel of the A-mold...then I got my second-hand diamond-square cash set, and they're amazing. If you rub two chips together they don't feel gritty but buttery smooth. Imo scrowns also feel great. Get some mold samples, it makes such a difference

The chips that my players didn't like at all were roman ASM made probably close to 15 years ago or so. They were used to playing with custom TRK and PNY tournament chips. Brought out the roman mold set a few times and separate groups of people expressed their dislike. It was a small set. When deciding to expand or sell them, ended up selling.

Since then I have had a few ASM/CPC sets. I have one older Nevada mold hot stamp set that I will never sell. Also have an A mold set that I like, but might end up selling because they're not getting any use.

Don't get me wrong, I like CPC and have considered getting a custom tourney set since Paulson tournament sets aren't really affordable. Also not helping that they've practically doubled in price in the last 10+ years or so. Guess they do have the market cornered now though.

Back when TRK was open, you could get them for .89 each for customs. Between TRK, BCC, and ASM back then, ASM was my clear least favorite. I know many hated BCC because of the quality issues. Some also didn't like TRK because they weren't quite 39mm (never understood that one). Whereas the complaint with ASM was always the weight.

 

[CrazyEddie]

Unless they are completely in love with your theme, the chip is going to mean even less to them than casino chips.

Say it with me, everyone: "Your chips are not for your players!"

 

[Coyote]

Hey, you post almost as much as I do. Who can keep track?

By the way, we could play some jet-set or even car-set poker starting in autumn.
Unfortunately, Boston, as an overseas posting, already belongs to people with higher connections.
Check this
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...-job-as-an-expatriate-in-north-america.85950/

 

[swana]

Some also didn't like TRK because they weren't quite 39mm (never understood that one).

I just got my first sample set of TRK this week... The first thing that struck me was that they looked so small. Was surprised they were actually as big as they were when placed over a THC chip. They also feel small when handling which is surprising based on the small difference in size...

Anyway, lump me in to the group that is bothered by size of TRK!

 

[Coyote]

I just got my first sample set of TRK this week... The first thing that struck me was that they looked so small. Was surprised they were actually as big as they were when placed over a THC chip. They also feel small when handling which is surprising based on the small difference in size...

Anyway, lump me in to the group that is bothered by size of TRK!

The Forum's Reverends' Conclavium should be assembled immediately, with the probable outcome of gallows being erected

 

[chicubs1988]

I will definitely do a CPC set at some point. The main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is that I want to make sure I'm 100% happy with the theme, colors, etc...because once you buy the CPCs, changing direction later will be costly. You can largely trust that you'll be able recoup at least a good chunk of $$$ when you sell off your Paulsons or TRKs. That isn't true of CPCs. I personally am a huge fan of the people who do CPC sets and really commit to a theme and have a table, dealer buttons, cut cards, and everything else. It's like having your own little card room.

 

[liftapint]

I just got my first sample set of TRK this week... The first thing that struck me was that they looked so small. Was surprised they were actually as big as they were when placed over a THC chip. They also feel small when handling which is surprising based on the small difference in size...

Anyway, lump me in to the group that is bothered by size of TRK!

I wish there were more people like you!!

 

[AS69]

Of the two choices I would stick with CPC. As an alternative I would say just downsize your Paulson sets. When I finally made the decision to get my first custom CPC set it was a big leap of faith for me. I had two Paulson (1000 ct Noir and 300 ct WTHC) sets and a BCC (650 ct Samurai Palace) set. I say that because I was very underwhelmed by the CPC colour samples but the more I saw of other customs the more I wanted to have my own.

Once I received my first order I knew that customs are where it's at for me. But I couldn't sell off all my sets so I kept enough for an STT of my Noirs and sold everything else to fund the rest of my first and second custom CPC sets. I was also finally able to acquire an STT set of BCC Proteges.

Honestly though, it'll be a rare occasion if I play with those or my Noirs but at least they're small sets not taking up a lot of space. I am getting the itch to design one last set so I may sell the last of my Noirs and Proteges to fund that... we'll see.

Until then I am quite happy with these:

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If and when you're ready to sell the Noirs. I'd be happy to take them. Just the right size set I'm looking for.

 

[BPTDirector]

15 years down the road and my customs rock every time I get them out. No regrets at all.