First Set Advice (2 Viewers)

[the1whois]

I recently started to play monthly single table tournaments with some friends and some have expressed interest in ~$20 buy-in cash games. My cheap plastic set from college doesn't have enough chips for me to host, so I am looking into a tournament set that could reasonably accommodate a cash game (no weird fractions of cents). Any suggestions for the best overlap?

From looking around it seems like used China clays or used cards molds from the classifieds here are the best option. Anywhere else to look? Being fairly new to poker and not looking to go too far down the rabbit hole, I don't see myself hitting the privilege requirements for using the classifieds section. Just need something to play and if I'm buying a set at this point in my life I'd rather not buy plastic dice chips.

 

[LeLe]

Hi Welcome to PCF

@SeanGecko Do you still have some Card mold chips to sell?

 

[Sparkynutz]

Facebook marketplace. Won't have to pay shipping if buying local.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

I recently started to play monthly single table tournaments with some friends and some have expressed interest in ~$20 buy-in cash games. My cheap plastic set from college doesn't have enough chips for me to host, so I am looking into a tournament set that could reasonably accommodate a cash game (no weird fractions of cents). Any suggestions for the best overlap?

From looking around it seems like used China clays or used cards molds from the classifieds here are the best option. Anywhere else to look? Being fairly new to poker and not looking to go too far down the rabbit hole, I don't see myself hitting the privilege requirements for using the classifieds section. Just need something to play and if I'm buying a set at this point in my life I'd rather not buy plastic dice chips.

It only takes a few posts. Stick around so you can see the Classifieds.

You don't need to plan to go down the rabbit hole, it just happens. That's the whole point of the rabbit hole!

 

[SeanGecko]

Hi Welcome to PCF

@SeanGecko Do you still have some Card mold chips to sell?

I do!
Need space.selling at a huge discount.

 

[allforcharity]

Dual use cash/tourney sets are possible, but usually not recommended, due to security but also chip efficiency.

But of you must consider, then:

Use a T5 base tournament set with 2k starting stacks: 100/100/70/34/20 of T5/T25/T100/T500/T1000 for a table of 10 with one rebuy each and enough extra T500 to colour up all the T25/t100.

When used for cash, use denoms above but divide value by 100, so you have nickels through $5/$10 bills. There's a potential bank of $400 there, but it's too few workhorse chips (nickel, quarter, dollar) for most 0.05/0.10 cash games unless it's max 4-5 players.

There really is no good one-size-fits-all option.

 

[GreekRedEye]

I recently started to play monthly single table tournaments with some friends and some have expressed interest in ~$20 buy-in cash games. My cheap plastic set from college doesn't have enough chips for me to host, so I am looking into a tournament set that could reasonably accommodate a cash game (no weird fractions of cents). Any suggestions for the best overlap?

From looking around it seems like used China clays or used cards molds from the classifieds here are the best option. Anywhere else to look? Being fairly new to poker and not looking to go too far down the rabbit hole, I don't see myself hitting the privilege requirements for using the classifieds section. Just need something to play and if I'm buying a set at this point in my life I'd rather not buy plastic dice chips.

I second that you really want separate tourney and cash sets. My advice, if you just want to get in and out as quickly as possible with playable sets:

1. Cash Set. Get the Hardwells if they appeal to you (I like them). Probably more chips than you need, but @SeanGecko is a trusted member here and can advise you on breakdown. And no harm posting here for advice on that. For pricing comparison, new card mold chips are 40c a chip.
2. Buy this T5 table set here to be able to spread two tables with real casino chips: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...co-cash-and-tourney-sets-sale-is-live.114438/

Another tournament option for just one table is this Milano china clay set in the classifieds:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...-389-chips-25s-to-10ks-good-condition.114561/
You can always add more chips later to expand it. But also really common, so not very secure (someone could slip chips into your game)

Someone is likely to chime in that you should get real clay chips. Just be aware that those are going to be a minimum of $1 a chip for anything turnkey (usually much higher). Clay sets that appear to be a good deal usually require leg work and hidden costs (e.g. creating fracs or relabeling or not quite workable breakdowns).

Good luck!

 

[KingZilla]

It seems you don't want to spend a bundle. There are lots of cheaper options for a tourney set. You could check into Apachepokerchips.com for Casino Royal or Monte Carlo chips for .20 each. Not the best chips but a cut above dice chips. I had samples of both and I think they are basically the same chip, but the Casino Royal chips do have some spot variations over the Monte Carlos which are all the same spot pattern.
https://www.apachepokerchips.com/product-category/poker-chips/

 

[KingZilla]

The Milano's are a very good suggestion as well. But being an original fan boy of China Clays, I can tell you that after many years of ownership, those chips will break down over time (flaking, chipping). Some china clays can be broken in half with bare hands - they are just not a solid product. Perhaps oiling them when new could preserve them. Mine weren't oiled and over the LONG haul, they started breaking down. This includes Pyramid casino, Milano, and Pharaoh versions that I have owned. YMMV.

 

[seyff45]

My only suggestion is that it's somewhat difficult to have a single set for cash and tourney, but there's also a security aspect to it when cash games pop up after your tourneys end.

IMO it's very important to have two different sets so that people don't mingle the chips.

 

[Nymor]

A single set for both cash and tournament is possible but you just have to be aware of the potential risks.

I use my set for both but my game is a single 8max table with friends and we play either cash or tournament never both. We play mostly micro-cash, 5p/10/25p, but do have the occasional deep stack tourney for a change of pace.

My set goes from 5 to 25000, with no currency symbol, and we play values as pennies in cash so 5 is 5p, 100 is £1 etc. My chips are custom enough for me not to be concerned with people slipping copies in and I count all the chips at the end of each session.

I'm not inclined to open my game to people I don't know, or trust, but if I did I would probably rethink - as I would if there were £000s on the table rather than £00s.

My game has only been running for about a year but the same group has been playing for many years at another venue with a cash/tournament set and hasn't had any issues.

Just be aware.