First Poker Set Buying Advice (8 Viewers)

[Legend5555]

You are going to be hard pressed to find a set that uses the same label and edge spots across all the chips. That mostly happens on tournament sets, not cash sets. In my opinion, the best chips in the .45-.65/chip range are the Royals and Sunfly polyinnos. The Royals are just the best feeling and stacking china clay chips I've used. And i'm a big fan of Sunfly ceramics. They don't really feel like ceramic, it's more like a bizarre combination of ceramic and plastic that stack really well.

I'm a budget guy, and I'm in this more for the poker than the chips. So I RARELY get new sets. But @saleen121212 and I play together, and he gets all the cool stuff for us to play with. And after the wide variety i've played with now, Royals and Sunflys are what i'd go with if I wanted to stay under $1/chip.

 

[raynmanas]

My order of preference on a budget would be:
1) New stock design CPC’s direct from CPC
2) Lightly used stock design CPCs
3) Used Paulsons

I think new/mint CPCs are much better than quite worn Paulsons (I’ve had both) and can be had at really good prices of under $2/chip.

I wouldn’t bother with any plastic or ceramic chips (including China clays, which are plastic). To me when I play with those they feel no better than the dice chips from Costco. Sorry but that’s my opinion. New/mint CPCs/Paulsons feel like pure class.

That being said I’ve never tried Sunfly’s or BCC’s...

If you can play 2/5 or 5/10 I’m sure you can afford chips between 1-2 bucks a piece.

OP mentioned later that 5/10 is actually .05/.10. switching to .25/.25 is going to give a lot more options across all types of chips.

as for stock CPCs, you can't go wrong with these classic beauties!

http://classicpokerchips.com/stock/roundersc.htm

 

[Changster]

OP mentioned later that 5/10 is actually .05/.10. switching to .25/.25 is going to give a lot more options across all types of chips.

as for stock CPCs, you can't go wrong with these classic beauties!

http://classicpokerchips.com/stock/roundersc.htm

ahh right ok... missed the part about the stakes.

And yes to rounders!

 

[allforcharity]

Don't discriminate too early, especially if budget is the number one concern. Get samples of what you can afford.

Ceramics are your very best bet for a *fully* customizable chip at the lowest price.
Used condition and sometimes non-denominated clay chips are less expensive than some of their peers. Some prefer the feel of used over mint.
And yes, there is such a thing as a high end plastic chip. Casinos use them all the time, especially in Europe and Asia.

 

[sheslikeice]

If you can play 2/5 or 5/10 I’m sure you can afford chips between 1-2 bucks a piece.

Yeah, I just didn't want to end up buying something I didn't like later and have it be a pricey mistake. I'm just going to take my time and build a set of Paulsons / comparable chips.

 

[sgago84]

OP mentioned later that 5/10 is actually .05/.10. switching to .25/.25 is going to give a lot more options across all types of chips.

as for stock CPCs, you can't go wrong with these classic beauties!

http://classicpokerchips.com/stock/roundersc.htm

I’m up in the air now between Rounders and Atlantic Club. I like the vintage feel of Rounders but Atlantic Club looks so clean.

 

[raynmanas]

I’m up in the air now between Rounders and Atlantic Club. I like the vintage feel of Rounders but Atlantic Club looks so clean.

you can't go wrong with Atlantic Club either, and it's on my other favorite CPC mold!

 

[Changster]

I’m up in the air now between Rounders and Atlantic Club. I like the vintage feel of Rounders but Atlantic Club looks so clean.

AC is our go to set that we use at least once a week. They play SO WELL. It’s a set designed by chippers. The progression is perfect.

@BGinGA designed I think.

 

[LotsOfChips]

It's been said a few times, but is worth repeating - GET SAMPLES! Once you have held and shuffled a few different types, the differences become clear very quickly.

 

[sgago84]

It's been said a few times, but is worth repeating - GET SAMPLES! Once you have held and shuffled a few different types, the differences become clear very quickly.

I did. They both felt the same to me, HH vs A-mold. I went with Atlantic because I like the edge patterns better.

 

[detroitdad]

I think the best piece of advice that I can offer is, if you find something you want. Buy it now. And worry about the money or later.

 

[BGinGA]

AC is our go to set that we use at least once a week. They play SO WELL. It’s a set designed by chippers. The progression is perfect.

@BGinGA designed I think.

Nope, the hot stamped solids were a PCF group buy spearheaded by @David O. I think @David Spragg designed the inlay version as a stock CPC chip offering.

Very nice design in both cases, and both great and relatively inexpensive compression clay sets.

The A-mold is perfect for those sets, and doesn't get nearly enough love.

 

[Stinger44]

Im in the same boat you are, good luck finding your perfect set. I've scrolled through the classifieds looking for an inexpensive cash game set that doesn't feel like it came out of an e-z bake oven. I was about to buy a poker knights set until I stumbled on this site and all of its intricacies.

 

[toynoob]

Im in the same boat you are, good luck finding your perfect set. I've scrolled through the classifieds looking for an inexpensive cash game set that doesn't feel like it came out of an e-z bake oven. I was about to buy a poker knights set until I stumbled on this site and all of its intricacies.

You won't be happy with those. Those are mass produced slugged plastic with a sticker placed on top. Be super patient, get samples of chip price points that you are comfortable with and read for about 2 weeks lol. But for now, what is your budget on a set, what do you play cash or tournament, and how many players do you host?

 

[Stinger44]

Ive been hosting a game that primarily runs with cash and quarters, from stakes .25/.50 to 1/1. I get anywhere from 4-15 players on a weekly basis. I'm really looking for a great deal under 300 bucks, unless it's for a custom set.

 

[allforcharity]

Ive been hosting a game that primarily runs with cash and quarters, from stakes .25/.50 to 1/1. I get anywhere from 4-15 players on a weekly basis. I'm really looking for a great deal under 300 bucks, unless it's for a custom set.

Can't do 300, but might be able to do just a bit over 400. PM me if interested.