Excited to join! Advice much appreciated! (1 Viewer)

DrBill

3 of a Kind
Joined
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Location
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Hello, all! I am a Northern Florida native, and I am new to the chip game! Super excited to be apart of this community! Any advice on cash or tourney sets to start out with would be awesome! Excited to get to know many of you! Thanks guys!
 
Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of threads containing information about different chip types, breakdowns (quantities of each denomination) for tournament or cash games, etc. in the forum. The search button is your friend, for sure. Also perhaps you could tell us a little more about what you are interested in (true clay, "China Clay", ceramic, plastic, etc.), your budget (sets range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars), the games and stakes that you expect to play, the number of players you want to be able to support, etc. This would help us to help you!
 
And let me be the first to give you the number one rule of PCF - Get Samples! Without seeing, feeling and hearing the different chips that are available, you are relying on other people's opinions, whereas yours is the only one that really matters.
 
Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of threads containing information about different chip types, breakdowns (quantities of each denomination) for tournament or cash games, etc. in the forum. The search button is your friend, for sure. Also perhaps you could tell us a little more about what you are interested in (true clay, "China Clay", ceramic, plastic, etc.), your budget (sets range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars), the games and stakes that you expect to play, the number of players you want to be able to support, etc. This would help us to help you!
Thanks so much for the advice! Just ordered a few different sets of samples.

Right now, I am looking to get a cash and tourney set. I'd prefer to get a cash set first. I like the feel of ceramic, LOVE the looks of Matsui and Bud Jones, but ever since I joined this forum, I have gained an appreciation for the clays that I see most everyone talking about on here. The samples sets that I bought were Bud Jones InterContinental, Matsui Raddison, and Royal from Apache. I also got a sample set of Nevada Jacks and Poker Knights. Then I bought a sample set of some replica Rounders from CPC just for fun haha. So, I guess with that being said, I'm pretty much open to any kind. I'll have to update you guys when my samples come in.

As far as stakes and games. I primarily play low stakes cash games. .25/.50 or even .50/$1. Buy-in's range from $20-$50 with typically 2 to 3 rebuys in the whhole group. I typically only run 9 players, but would like to be prepared for 18.

I'm trying to keep my budget under $600 right now, but I'm slowly realizing that I'm going down a dangerous path that I'm liking more and more haha.
 
Two rules to pass on to you

1. GET SAMPLES! We are not kidding. The market has sooooooooooo much to offer, and you can waste an ELEPHANT LOAD of cash buying something you shouldn't have. Get samples, and when you think you know what you want, GET MORE SAMPLES!
2. Set a budget AND STICK TO IT. Whenever someone says they like a certain chip and ask what the group thinks of it, people always seem to chime in with "If you open up your budget a little more you can get something a whole lot better". Don't do it. Stay within your budget. Chipping is a great hobby, and poker is a lot of fun, but causing yourself financial difficulties will not only hurt your chipping desires in the long run, but can also affect other aspects of your life as well. Chipping is supposed to be fun, not cause pain.

Stick to these two rules and you will have A LOT of fun here at PCF. I found this place to be a very welcoming community and I am sure you will too.
 
Welcome!
+1 for grabbing samples. You want to feel and hear as many different choices as you can. Many china clay and ceramic chips are available through @Apache or other similar vendors. These will be your lower quality lower budget chips. For plastics, ceramics or hybrids your most common options will be @ABC Gifts and Awards or @SUN-FLY Poker Chips. You can get "bud jones" (manufacturer name) chips here through the forum. ABC and Sunfly can also offer custom options. For "real clay" (ie Paulson, BCC, TRK, CPC) you're best bet will be to shop within the forum, or on eBay. The forum provides a place for chippers to buy and sell chips in a fairly safe environment, while avoiding tax and fees from eBay. Paulson is your most common go to for chippers, they no longer sell to the home market, but we have vendors that can provide us with chips from closed casinos plus buying and selling between eachother from all over the world! Paulson did at one time offer chips to the home market, so you may see some referred to as THC or RHC, and other referred to as home mould or fantasy series. Alot of casinos are now using the house mould, which is generally just the casino name pressed into the outer face of the chip opposed to the top hat/cane. BCC (chip manufacturer) is no longer in production but there are sets around and pass through the forum quite frequently, these tend to be a tad more affordable than the THC paulson, but sometimes get some negative kickback due to production inconsistencies. However, I think they feel great, so when browsing your options do give them some consideration (if you decide to go the "real clay" route).
TRK (chip manufacturer) also no longer in production is a much more expensive real clay option. These are much harder to find, particularly in a playable quantity. They have a great feel to them though!
CPC (manufacturer) is another option for clay chips, they do offer some premade stuff but most people come here for custom orders. You can design each chip and denomination from the ground up. You choose a mould, base color and edgespot colors, and custom inlay design! They are fantastic chips, but much more costly due to being completely manufactured from ground zero.

Regarding building a cash and/or tourney set, some additional information like:
Number of players you'd like to accommodate
Buy in/stakes
Chip spending "budget" (whatever you have in mind double it, you'll see why later :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:)

Will help us guide you in the direction!

Cheers, Brie
 
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Two rules to pass on to you

1. GET SAMPLES! We are not kidding. The market has sooooooooooo much to offer, and you can waste an ELEPHANT LOAD of cash buying something you shouldn't have. Get samples, and when you think you know what you want, GET MORE SAMPLES!
2. Set a budget AND STICK TO IT. Whenever someone says they like a certain chip and ask what the group thinks of it, people always seem to chime in with "If you open up your budget a little more you can get something a whole lot better". Don't do it. Stay within your budget. Chipping is a great hobby, and poker is a lot of fun, but causing yourself financial difficulties will not only hurt your chipping desires in the long run, but can also affect other aspects of your life as well. Chipping is supposed to be fun, not cause pain.

Stick to these two rules and you will have A LOT of fun here at PCF. I found this place to be a very welcoming community and I am sure you will too.
Great advice! Thanks so much!

Welcome!
+1 for grabbing samples. You want to feel and hear as many different choices as you can. Many china clay and ceramic chips are available through @Apache or other similar vendors. These will be your lower quality lower budget chips. For plastics, ceramics or hybrids your most common options will be @ABC Gifts and Awards or @SUN-FLY Poker Chips. You can get "bud jones" (manufacturer name) chips here through the forum. ABC and Sunfly can also offer custom options. For "real clay" (ie Paulson, BCC, TRK, CPC) you're best bet will be to shop within the forum, or on eBay. The forum provides a place for chippers to buy and sell chips in a fairly safe environment, while avoiding tax and fees from eBay. Paulson is your most common go to for chippers, they no longer sell to the home market, but we have vendors that can provide us with chips from closed casinos plus buying and selling between eachother from all over the world! Paulson did at one time offer chips to the home market, so you may see some referred to as THC or RHC, and other referred to as home mould or fantasy series. Alot of casinos are now using the house mould, which is generally just the casino name pressed into the outer face of the chip opposed to the top hat/cane. BCC (chip manufacturer) is no longer in production but there are sets around and pass through the forum quite frequently, these tend to be a tad more affordable than the THC paulson, but sometimes get some negative kickback due to production inconsistencies. However, I think they feel great, so when browsing your options do give them some consideration (if you decide to go the "real clay" route).
TRK (chip manufacturer) also no longer in production is a much more expensive real clay option. These are much harder to find, particularly in a playable quantity. They have a great feel to them though!
CPC (manufacturer) is another option for clay chips, they do offer some premade stuff but most people come here for custom orders. You can design each chip and denomination from the ground up. You choose a mould, base color and edgespot colors, and custom inlay design! They are fantastic chips, but much more costly due to being completely manufactured from ground zero.

Regarding building a cash and/or tourney set, some additional information like:
Number of players you'd like to accommodate
Buy in/stakes
Chip spending "budget" (whatever you have in mind double it, you'll see why later :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:)

Will help us guide you in the direction!

Cheers, Brie
This is fantastic advice and insight into this community! Thanks so much for the help!
 
Welcome! You’ve come to the right place. I’m still learning and everyone has been extremely helpful.
 
Welcome to the forum! There's so many sets to choose from, we'll need more information on what chips you have liked, more details about your game (how many people, what blinds, what is a general bank at the end of the night) and an approximate budget to point you in the right direction.

As many have already said, when you narrow it down to a handful of sets, get samples and see/feel/hear the chips in person before you make a larger commitment.
 
Welcome to the forum! There's so many sets to choose from, we'll need more information on what chips you have liked, more details about your game (how many people, what blinds, what is a general bank at the end of the night) and an approximate budget to point you in the right direction.

As many have already said, when you narrow it down to a handful of sets, get samples and see/feel/hear the chips in person before you make a larger commitment.
Thanks so much for the advice! Just ordered a few different sets of samples.

Right now, I am looking to get a cash and tourney set. I'd prefer to get a cash set first. I like the feel of ceramic, LOVE the looks of Matsui and Bud Jones, but ever since I joined this forum, I have gained an appreciation for the clays that I see most everyone talking about on here. The samples sets that I bought were Bud Jones InterContinental, Matsui Raddison, and Royal from Apache. I also got a sample set of Nevada Jacks and Poker Knights. Then I bought a sample set of some replica Rounders from CPC just for fun haha. So, I guess with that being said, I'm pretty much open to any kind. I'll have to update you guys when my samples come in.

As far as stakes and games. I primarily play low stakes cash games. .25/.50 or even .50/$1. Buy-in's range from $20-$50 with typically 2 to 3 rebuys in the whhole group. I typically only run 9 players, but would like to be prepared for 18.

I'm trying to keep my budget under $600 right now, but I'm slowly realizing that I'm going down a dangerous path that I'm liking more and more haha.
 
Thanks so much for the advice! Just ordered a few different sets of samples.

Right now, I am looking to get a cash and tourney set. I'd prefer to get a cash set first. I like the feel of ceramic, LOVE the looks of Matsui and Bud Jones, but ever since I joined this forum, I have gained an appreciation for the clays that I see most everyone talking about on here. The samples sets that I bought were Bud Jones InterContinental, Matsui Raddison, and Royal from Apache. I also got a sample set of Nevada Jacks and Poker Knights. Then I bought a sample set of some replica Rounders from CPC just for fun haha. So, I guess with that being said, I'm pretty much open to any kind. I'll have to update you guys when my samples come in.

As far as stakes and games. I primarily play low stakes cash games. .25/.50 or even .50/$1. Buy-in's range from $20-$50 with typically 2 to 3 rebuys in the whhole group. I typically only run 9 players, but would like to be prepared for 18.

I'm trying to keep my budget under $600 right now, but I'm slowly realizing that I'm going down a dangerous path that I'm liking more and more haha.
Great information. With that budget and wanting both tournament and cash sets, you are probably best to stick with China Clay or ceramics as a starter set, and then work your way up to compression clay over time (some will tell you to spend the extra money now, rather than "waste" money on cheaper chips, but if you want to stick with a budget and have a playable set right away, nothing wrong with starting with baby steps IMO).

Here is a link for cash game breakdowns, although the exact number of fracs, ones and fives is a topic of great debate.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ut-a-cash-game-chip-set-5c-10c-to-5-10.30897/

For tournament breakdowns, you might want to think about the base (smallest denomination) that you want to use (T25 seems most popular, but T100, T5 and even T1 are used by some). Also think about the starting stacks (with a T25 base T10,000 seems to be most popular, but T5000, T15,000, T20,000 and even deep stack T25,000 are used). That will give you some basis to decide on your tournament breakdown. (note that starting stack size along with number of players and number of rebuys will affect the length/duration/end time of the game).

@BGinGA has posted some very helpful breakdowns and starting stack information over dozens of threads, so a search using his name, "tournament" , "breakdown", "starting stack" as search terms should yield some good info.

Enjoy the journey!
 
Indeed! The ranges of chip costs is very vast, but as long as you look at the chip set and enjoy them every time I feel the cost is somewhat justified if we stay within reason. $600 is a good amount for a starting set as long as you advert your eyes from the more expensive sets.

I play 0.25/0.50 with my group as well. We're always limited to 9 or 10 players max buy in starts with $40, but it increases as the night goes on (sometimes they buy in for $100 or $200 when they are down more). 600 chips has been great for our games. Here's the breakdown I work with
100 - 0.25
200 - $1
200 - $5
80 - $25 (or $20 if you prefer)
20 - $100

Adding more $5 is fun for us so we can have bigger stacks visually.

For a more in depth tournament breakdown and suggestions for tournament structures, visit the tournaments and cash game forum. There's also a home game general forum and share your home game pictures in the Home Game Pics Thread. As you can imagine, posts there are slower due the pandemic but lots of nice chip pron you can browse.
 

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