from lurker to new member now getting samples with a few questions (2 Viewers)

[owlbee]

Hello all!

Starting my sample journey. Found a set of Tiki Kings and Dia de los Muertos on Craigslist, so I think that's a good representation of quality ceramics. Going to order some samples from Apache -- Majestics and Royals for sure to get a a feel for China Clay chips. Anything else that should be ordered form them? From my lurking, I've read the Mirage chips are Tina chips, is that true? If so I'll get some of those if they're a good representation of Tina chips. There's also a sample of the Harrah's WSOP Paulson chips. Should I get those to see what Paulson are like? Also thinking about ordering some samples from ThePokerStore (Casino Royale, Olympus, Milano) for more lower quality chips to see what they're like.

Any other samples I should order and from where? I don't really have any privelges yet on this forum so can't really order any samples from here through DMs and posts.

Thanks!

 

[Fran]

Welcome to PCF !

 

[Sway]

Welcome!!

 

[Jaxen]

Welcome to PCF!
Gotta say you're coming here with eyes wide open.
Mirage are just one option for Tinas. Check out some of the predesigned ones here: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/hybrid-mold-pre-designed-sets.115859/
Tina hybrids > China Clay (one man's opinion). But make a few more posts so you can DM with @justincarothers to get some samples.
In the meantime, check out the Marketplace tab and see what samples posters are offering here while doing the rest of your research.

 

[caballo993]

The Mirage and Monaco from Apache are Tinas, Monacos being 43mm. They also sell the Casino Royales, and from my memory they offer the best version of these, with the flash marks removed.

The WSOP are a good option for Paulsons, or there are some Harrah’s $100’s still available from this Black Friday Sale for $1 each. https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/black-friday-sale-2025.137559/

If you click on the link under the picture it will take you to a Paypal link where you can pay for them. Shouldn’t require any member privileges afaik.

 

[owlbee]

Welcome to PCF!
Gotta say you're coming here with eyes wide open.
Mirage are just one option for Tinas. Check out some of the predesigned ones here: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/hybrid-mold-pre-designed-sets.115859/
Tina hybrids > China Clay (one man's opinion). But make a few more posts so you can DM with @justincarothers to get some samples.
In the meantime, check out the Marketplace tab and see what samples posters are offering here while doing the rest of your research.

Thank you for the advice. Honestly, in no rush to buy a set just yet. My friends and I just played last month (NLHE tournament) with some dice chips. Not sure they'll continue to play. I used to play a lot back in my college days. Would hte Mirage/Monaco Tinas from Apache be the same quality as the predesigned one ordered from Tina?

 

[owlbee]

The Mirage and Monaco from Apache are Tinas, Monacos being 43mm. They also sell the Casino Royales, and from my memory they offer the best version of these, with the flash marks removed.

The WSOP are a good option for Paulsons, or there are some Harrah’s $100’s still available from this Black Friday Sale for $1 each. https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/black-friday-sale-2025.137559/

If you click on the link under the picture it will take you to a Paypal link where you can pay for them. Shouldn’t require any member privileges afaik.

Thank you. Might buy a set of Casino Royales because they're cheap and I would want some chips with demonimations if my friend group decides to continue playing. Then I can take my sweet time deciding on what to get for the long run.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

I always c r I n g e everytime I see Mirage and Tina's in the same sentence

YES Tina makes a faux version of the original Paulson:

along with Aria's & everything else probably!

Good luck on your chipping journey down the rabbit hole. You are fortunate enough to have patience. Buy once, cry once is way better than to waste money on chips you probably won't like in 6 months anyway...

 

[Baldeagle9]

Welcome, lots of good people here and tons of great info throughout the forum, enjoy!!!

 

[Isildur74]

Hello all!

Starting my sample journey. Found a set of Tiki Kings and Dia de los Muertos on Craigslist, so I think that's a good representation of quality ceramics. Going to order some samples from Apache -- Majestics and Royals for sure to get a a feel for China Clay chips. Anything else that should be ordered form them? From my lurking, I've read the Mirage chips are Tina chips, is that true? If so I'll get some of those if they're a good representation of Tina chips. There's also a sample of the Harrah's WSOP Paulson chips. Should I get those to see what Paulson are like? Also thinking about ordering some samples from ThePokerStore (Casino Royale, Olympus, Milano) for more lower quality chips to see what they're like.

Any other samples I should order and from where? I don't really have any privelges yet on this forum so can't really order any samples from here through DMs and posts.

Thanks!

The olympus chips arent bad for the price point. Solid, very solid. Prefer them to many cheaper counterparts, good secondary or main cash set. My players like them over BR ceramics on sound and feel. Welcome!

 

[TRKingChips]

Welcome to the forum !!

 

[bigblind]

Welcome

 

[TheChipVault]

Welcome!

 

[Tonysquander]

Welcome to PCF!

 

[davesilver88]

Welcome to the forum.

You’re doing everything the right way. Get some samples of some medal slugs (casino royale), some china clays, Tina’s, br pro pokers, and paulsons.

A few things:

Tina’s - they now have “hybrid” Tina’s, which are considered better than the traditional “card mold” Tina’s. If you’re gonna get Tina samples, might as well make sure you get hybrids. I haven’t seen anyone say they prefer card molds to hybrids (they could be out there, just haven’t seen it)

There are other high end ceramics you’re missing (Matsui, Bud jones). Not sure if it’s really worth finding samples of those, but just an fyi.

Lastly, you’re also missing CPC, which is another “clay” chip, similar paulsons. If you end up loving the paulsons, you should buy CPC samples to have a comparable option.

Good luck dawg. It’s a fun journey.

 

[Tonystark137]

I have sample box/rack of various around somewhere...

 

[FatStack]

Welcome!

 

[FedorOfSpades]

Hello and welcome

 

[WJP]

Paulson's are a bit more diverse. Depending on when they were made, some paulsons feel much different than others. You can get some small barrels from eBay for not too much.