First real set advice - Paulson Horseshoe from Apache vs. Apache's Royal Set (1 Viewer)

atrachs

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Hey Guys, the title pretty much covers it. I'm considering spending about $500 on Apache's Horseshoe pre-made Paulson set on eBay, or spending a similar amount on their new Royal set once the $25 chip is back in stock. I'm not worried about the denomination quantities as I think the pre-set combination is fairly standard for me 1/2 home game. I'm just curious on your thoughts of new chips vs. the used Paulsons. Both seem to have solid reviews. Any thing else I should be aware of?


What are all of your thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Edit: I've already bought a sample set of the royals and some others, but waiting for them to come!
 
Welcome! Only you can make that decision based on the samples that you get. TBH, I think there are a few things that are going to sway you:
  • Royals are 43mm, the Paulson RHC chips are 39mm; you might love or hate 43mm and that could decide it right there
  • Smell: China clays smell. It doesn't bother me, but it bothers some
  • Look: China clays require oil to look their best; you might not want to invest the time to oil them
I love my Royals; I actually feel they are truly a great set to customize with your own label. And you can't beat the cost. I also happen to love 43mm chips.

... but I bet you'll go with the Paulson chips if money isn't an issue one you get your samples.
 
Samples for sure! For what it’s worth I just picked up a set of HSI from Apache. Super clean and they will definitely outlast me. I sent a PM to the account here, specified my breakdown, and received the package in less than a week.
 
horse shoe open.jpg


They are good chips I have some. For a set to be played with, who would want more.
 
Samples for sure! For what it’s worth I just picked up a set of HSI from Apache. Super clean and they will definitely outlast me. I sent a PM to the account here, specified my breakdown, and received the package in less than a week.
Just curious what breakdown did you go with, and for what types of games?
 
Welcome! ...bit of an apples to oranges comparison
One is a casino quality chip (Paulson) and the other is not (Royals)
the Paulsons are nearly twice the price, but will more than likely hold their value (you can "rent" them for no to little cost if you resell)
Royals will lose their value the day they ship to you and will never go up in value.
Many China clays smell like dirty old crayons, Paulsons do not.
If you aren't in a rush to get a set, look around, get samples and figure out what you like..
Or just buy a set and if you don't like it (or find something else you like better), sell it.. rinse and repeat. ;)
 
It really boils down to a personal choice. Would you prefer:
  • A limited number, say 300-500, real casino grade chips? Or,
  • China clays in any denominations and breakdowns you could reasonably want?
 
To get samples is always the right way.

I have both. The Royals for tourneys. HSI for cash. I like both sets. The smell of the royals is realy the only downside on the chips. I personaly woulnd use the Royals as Cash Set. Doesn't feel right.

Do not mix used and mint Paulson.
 
Royals are very nice (albeit a bit smelly) but you can’t really go wrong with paulsons. And if you still feel you do you can usually sell them for the same price, which you cannot say about the Royals.
 
Royals are very nice (albeit a bit smelly) but you can’t really go wrong with paulsons. And if you still feel you do you can usually sell them for the same price, which you cannot say about the Royals.
Are the royals slippery ? Never handled them
 
Are the royals slippery ? Never handled them
No, they’re not. I would say less slippery than Abiattis but they’re not like paulsons or other clay chips. I had a tourney set that I sold because I don’t play tourneys that often. I’ve done that again and again, never seem to learn...
 
No, they’re not. I would say less slippery than Abiattis but they’re not like paulsons or other clay chips. I had a tourney set that I sold because I don’t play tourneys that often. I’ve done that again and again, never seem to learn...
I agree. They are not slippery. I would describe them as buttery. As in buttery smooth to shuffle. They shuffle like a dream.

Ceramics, especially some like Abiatti, are actually really slippery. Royals are not that.
 
I agree. They are not slippery. I would describe them as buttery. As in buttery smooth to shuffle. They shuffle like a dream.

Ceramics, especially some like Abiatti, are actually really slippery. Royals are not that.
Agreed, they shuffle and handle very nicely. Colors are really good too and pop with some oil. In fact, I wish I still had them
 
No, they’re not. I would say less slippery than Abiattis but they’re not like paulsons or other clay chips. I had a tourney set that I sold because I don’t play tourneys that often. I’ve done that again and again, never seem to learn...
Great then , I wanted to get them at first but now I think I’ll just be disappointed because having Paulsons makes you picky about other chips. That being said, I do think they are a great option for beginners , can’t beat the price on these. If you compare royals with IHC Paulsons , you can only smile at ROYALS
 
Great then , I wanted to get them at first but now I think I’ll just be disappointed because having Paulsons makes you picky about other chips. That being said, I do think they are a great option for beginners , can’t beat the price on these. If you compare royals with IHC Paulsons , you can only smile at ROYALS
Actually, imo they hold their own against the IHCs. If you factor in price it becomes a ridiculously easy choice to go with the royals instead of SBs of whatever

You should get a sample set, and be (probably) pleasantly surprised
 
Smell - I’ve ordered 1000+ new China clays from Apache in 3 different batches in the last two years and none of them smelled. Only time I ever smelled something was when I bought China clays that were 3-4 years old and still unopened from their wrapping. Others say they do so maybe luck of the draw?
Holding their value - expect a 15% drop in value but not more. Plenty CCs still get picked up quickly at that price despite being used.
 
Great then , I wanted to get them at first but now I think I’ll just be disappointed because having Paulsons makes you picky about other chips. That being said, I do think they are a great option for beginners
I understand your point and I can mostly agree with it. If someone said that I had to be on a desert island and can only play poker with either Royals or Paulsons, I pick Paulsons.

That being said, I think that the Royals are an amazing choice for a custom label set. You don't have to worry about milling them, or about murdering the inlays, and you get fantastic colors.
 
I understand your point and I can mostly agree with it. If someone said that I had to be on a desert island and can only play poker with either Royals or Paulsons, I pick Paulsons.

That being said, I think that the Royals are an amazing choice for a custom label set. You don't have to worry about milling them, or about murdering the inlays, and you get fantastic colors.
Yup , but mixing for example 39mm Paulsons with some upper denom 43MM royals is IMO just a disaster. If any , the upper denoms should have the more premium look and feel than the lower denoms. So for me , either for example majestic 39 mm with some 43Mm Royal upper denoms. Or just all Royal , no mixing with Paulsons in any case like some of them here do.
 
Yup , but mixing for example 39mm Paulsons with some upper denom 43MM royals is IMO just a disaster. If any , the upper denoms should have the more premium look and feel than the lower denoms. So for me , either for example majestic 39 mm with some 43Mm Royal upper denoms. Or just all Royal , no mixing with Paulsons in any case like some of them here do.
Yes, I agree with you here. They may be nice chips but they don’t mix well with paulsons. But then again I wouldn’t mix CPCs or BCCs with paulsons either.
 
I even mix BJ, Paulson and Royals. But the Royals as 25 will not realy see the feld beacause of the small stakes we play.
 
I don’t notice a smell on Royals. In fact I never even thought to smell them until reading this thread. (FWIW)
 
I don’t notice a smell on Royals. In fact I never even thought to smell them until reading this thread. (FWIW)
Covid? No, but maybe they have gotten better. Mine sure smelled, right? @Santa123
 
Covid? No, but maybe they have gotten better. Mine sure smelled, right? @Santa123
I just did a blind smell test, administered by my 7-year-old, for the following:
  • Apache Royals
  • Paulson RHC (HSI mint)
  • Paulson RHC murdered with gear label
  • Paulson THC, leaded/used
  • BRP DDLM ceramics
I got them all correct. Aside from very strange looks from my daughter, what do I win?
 
Abbiattis, mentioned above, are high-end plastics, not ceramics.
The only china-clays that I have witnessed stinking were the Milanos.
My 2c.
 
Something I haven't seen mentioned here, think about if you ever want to expand the set. The Paulsons cost X right now but may cost 2-3X pretty quickly down the road. The Royals aren't going to change in price unless they stop making them. Take this into account, maybe as a hedge if you go with the Paulsons you buy a slightly bigger set than you want now and know you are already covered.
 

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