Has anyone here ever hit a "chipping wall"? (1 Viewer)

Completely depends on your personality IMHO. Some folks never really "own" chips - they rent them for a few years (or months or weeks) - either because they like variety or always want the next shiny new "in" thing.

This is exactly me. I've been "scolded" by poker buddies in Singapore when they see me buying racks of different chips without a specific set in mind that I'm building. My response is always "but but they're pretty!"

I ship them over, enjoy seeing them in person for a bit and then sell them off for the next cool thing to "rent".
 
I sort of feel like I've hit the wall with my latest CPC cash set actually in the mail as I type this... then I just play with the designer and/or look at the classifieds and that feeling goes away.
 
I’m getting close! I’ve been calling my current project set my “semi-retirement” set. I know damn well I’m not out, but I’ll at least be good and no longer set chasing. Probably just pick up random chips here and there for mixed sets if something pops up I like.
 
I’m getting close! I’ve been calling my current project set my “semi-retirement” set. I know damn well I’m not out, but I’ll at least be good and no longer set chasing. Probably just pick up random chips here and there for mixed sets if something pops up I like.
I don't know why I know this, but on HGTV they would call it your "forever set". :cautious:
 
I've been at this for quite awhile, and have bought and sold many sets (and racks) over time.

At one point, I thought I 'needed' at least one set of every possible configuration for the collection to be considered 'complete' -- cash and tourney sets (low/high stakes plus standard/high denominations) in all variations of Paulson (THC, RHC, IHC, suits, web), BCC, TRK, ceramic, CC, hybrids, ASM/CPC, casino, fantasy, mixed, etc. Whew.

What I actually discovered was a sure-fire formula to amass close to 75,000 chips -- most of which saw little to no play. :banghead: Where's the fun in that?

I've since started thinning out the sets and racks of chips that I know will rarely get used, those that I like less than others, and those with less of a personal connection. Not always easy decisions, either, even though I have a clear direction on what I like best and what makes me 'happy'. I do find it easier today to say "no" to the latest-greatest new shiney things that come along, however.

Today, the pared-down collection consists of four THC tourney sets, four THC cash sets, two THC combo cash/tourney sets, a 43mm IHC tournament set, a BCC tourney set, three TRK sets, two hybrid tourney sets, three ceramic tourney sets, three Burt/ASM/CPC sets, three plastic sets, and around 15-20 racks of chip projects, singles, and sample sets. With most sets around 1,000 chips, that puts my current total at around 25,000 or so.

These days, I'm mostly just filling out long-term project sets/racks, although I probably won't be completely finished until I finally build two CPC custom sets (both having been planned for some time).

Hit a wall? Yeah, I guess. But not really. :)
 
I've been at this for quite awhile, and have bought and sold many sets (and racks) over time.

At one point, I thought I 'needed' at least one set of every possible configuration for the collection to be considered 'complete' -- cash and tourney sets (low/high stakes plus standard/high denominations) in all variations of Paulson (THC, RHC, IHC, suits, web), BCC, TRK, ceramic, CC, hybrids, ASM/CPC, casino, fantasy, mixed, etc. Whew.

What I actually discovered was a sure-fire formula to amass close to 75,000 chips -- most of which saw little to no play. :banghead: Where's the fun in that?

I've since started thinning out the sets and racks of chips that I know will rarely get used, those that I like less than others, and those with less of a personal connection. Not always easy decisions, either, even though I have a clear direction on what I like best and what makes me 'happy'. I do find it easier today to say "no" to the latest-greatest new shiney things that come along, however.

Today, the pared-down collection consists of four THC tourney sets, four THC cash sets, two THC combo cash/tourney sets, a 43mm IHC tournament set, a BCC tourney set, three TRK sets, two hybrid tourney sets, three ceramic tourney sets, three Burt/ASM/CPC sets, three plastic sets, and around 15-20 racks of chip projects, singles, and sample sets. With most sets around 1,000 chips, that puts my current total at around 25,000 or so.

These days, I'm mostly just filling out long-term project sets/racks, although I probably won't be completely finished until I finally build two CPC custom sets (both having been planned for some time).

Hit a wall? Yeah, I guess. But not really. :)
You've really been slacking on the pron.
 
The main wall I’ve hit is being unable to find the last few chips I want to fill out one of my sets (still looking for Jack Detroit 1KS and 5KS).

Otherwise I feel pretty... set:

Two tournament sets (one THC solids, one a Jack primary/secondary mix) and two cash (PCR/Avalon mix and Jack mix), each about 1,000 chips, which is plenty. I can alternate these to keep the wear down.

One of the tourney sets is THC solids, waiting to be shipped to Gear for milling/inlays. That just requires me to make up my mind on designs... which is a bit of a wall in itself.

I’m sure I could be tempted by something else eventually... If so, I hope to have the discipline to sell one of the others, since four sets is already way more than I ever dreamed of needing or wanting.
 
I feel like it is more like chipping contentment. After a 2-3 year period of really wanting EVERYTHING, I've evolved my wants into a much more restricted range...

I still enjoy chips, but I spend more time milling, hot stamping or building storage cases and less time on the classifieds just buying chips for some theoretical future project.

I'm also able to let go of more chips that are cool, but don't have as clear a purpose for me.
 
7 months ago or so I was playing dice chips but since then I have already owned 6 sets. I think chipping is going to work well for me, because I really dont take pleasure in "owning" things. I just like projects and like playing with different chip sets. So all I really need at max is 4 sets, 2 cash and 2 tourney. This lets me rotate and have at least one playable set at a time of each (1 really nice one and 1 bridge set to get me to the next while a sell off the other or build a project over time). I am used to buying and selling things so I figure once I am fully bought in on those 4 sets I shouldnt need to spend more money unless I slowly upgrade those sets to more expensive versions over time. But I am in a good spot because I have absolutely no desire to continually add sets to a stockpile even though I host more than 50 times a year.
 
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I kind of figured that once I got my customs, I would be in this spot. But I still have an unfinished labelling project and I am finding I may want to do an add on in the next couple years to the customs.
 
I've never really quit designing chipsets. It all started with building many casino sets that are all sold now, then CPC customs, now trying to build the perfect mixed THC set and label sets. I've got a couple new ones coming and two more in my head in the development stage. I need more colors and spots...
 
I'm just about at that point.

I have a Paulson RHC cash set, two CPC tournament sets (Rounders and Key West), a BCC tournament set, and a set of Majestic China Clays cash set that actually was used at a friend's home game over this past weekend.

I'm building a '98 CDI cash set, and have a custom CPC set on the way later this year. I don't plan on selling any of these sets.

Between eventually having three cash sets (and a 4th on the way) and three tournament sets when all is said and done, I really think that I'm just about at "chip nirvana". I will probably host 15-18 times this year, approximately 12 cash games and 3-6 tournaments, I honestly can't justify more chips, as each cash set would probably see play three times yearly, and each tournament set a maximum of twice yearly if I rotate use evenly.

I already know I'm priced out of most Paulson tournament chips, boat chips, and TRK's, and I'm not a fan of plastics or ceramics, so after finishing my '98 CDI cash set and getting my CPC customs, the only other thing I can think that I may buy is a tournament denomination add on whenever CPC 44mm molds run again, which may be 1-2 years from when they run again later this year.

Frankly, that makes me sad. I'm sure I'll still follow around here and keep up to date on meetups and admire the pron, but I can honestly say I'm close to Chip Nirvana outside of chasing down some sample sets that I've been after *coughBTPandSBcashandPacificStarsamplescough*.

I'm sure the more experienced folks here can chime in and have been through this. How did ya'll cope when this feeling hit you?
Joe,

I hit the wall. It's not like coming to a stop right away. I'm crashing through.

It's a process. I've slowed my spending BIG TIME. Will only look to add on to existing sets and that's all. Dreams of owning PCAs are crushed for the time being. Didn't get to finish that one. I'll lock up what I have and hope for a return to buying mode someday.

I'm into the singles, but I've even slowed that to a near zero.

I don't know that I will go on from this point. I've re-experienced what it's like to have my hard earned money in my pocket for a few weeks and it feels great.

I'd have to sell or trade and I'm pretty far from even considering a trade or sale of any of my sets.

I understand what the wall is though, I think.
 
Completely depends on your personality IMHO. Some folks never really "own" chips - they rent them for a few years (or months or weeks) - either because they like variety or always want the next shiny new "in" thing. Others like me just continue to add on to their collections over the years. I host on average once to twice a month, and have 20 sets. Some get used a few times a year, others far less, and others practically never because I'm saving them for a purpose.

Its the same for many hobbies and such with life. Some folks have a new car every six months. My truck is 17 years old....

I don't like change :LOL: :laugh:
I've come to find out that my obsessive compulsive personality carried over to building chip sets. Bought a rack of Aztar $25 secondaries because I wanted to possibly build a mixed THC set, but I just couldn't do it. That, and building a whole Aztar set was cost prohibitive and likely would have taken lots of time. So I decided to sell the rack to allocate more funds towards building my CDI '98 cash set. I'm ok with building a set over time, especially when we're talking $2.50 to $3 a chip, as building an entire set hits the wallet pretty hard. I do alright for myself, but I simply will never have the bank roll to buy an entire $2000 to $3000 set of chips at once or build a boat chip set that would cost between $5 and $10 per chip.

I'm not of the personality to sell a whole set just after acquiring it. I find something I like and I'll add onto it perhaps, but not sell a set every 6 months after using it a couple of times. My old car lasted 12 years....had the same one from college up until this past June.
 
Aurora Star chips are fantastic value chips. The fracs, 1s, 2s, snappers, all go for below 3 a chip and they look good on the table at the same time too!
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I like the dollars and pink snappers-ripe for a relabeled frac :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

If only the AS $5's would come down in price, we might be talking about a set of these. Leaded '98 CDI's are in the works now, though!
 
Lol, nothing crazy cool to anyone but me, they are sets that I bought to give my sons one day. One is an old hot stamped monogrammed TRK set.
At least two of my sets are going to go to my son. There's going to be very specific stipulations in the will in terms of what is ok to sell and what isn't.

The upcoming CPC customs and Jacks are not to be sold. Everything else can be fair game, but not as long as I'm walking and breathing.
 
The main wall I’ve hit is being unable to find the last few chips I want to fill out one of my sets (still looking for Jack Detroit 1KS and 5KS).

Otherwise I feel pretty... set:

Two tournament sets (one THC solids, one a Jack primary/secondary mix) and two cash (PCR/Avalon mix and Jack mix), each about 1,000 chips, which is plenty. I can alternate these to keep the wear down.

One of the tourney sets is THC solids, waiting to be shipped to Gear for milling/inlays. That just requires me to make up my mind on designs... which is a bit of a wall in itself.

I’m sure I could be tempted by something else eventually... If so, I hope to have the discipline to sell one of the others, since four sets is already way more than I ever dreamed of needing or wanting.
I've thought about THC solid milled and relabeled cash and tourney sets, but the cost and labor involved would be too much. You can buy the chips at about a dollar or maybe a bit more per chip, yes, but they you have to get them milled (at least 50 cents/chip), need to get labels from Gear or Gene (at least 20 cents/chip), and if you want inlay placement or textured inlays, God help you. Before you know it, it turns into a $1.75/chip project, and that's even before placement of an inlay which would cost upwards of $1 to $2 per chip.
 
I've thought about THC solid milled and relabeled cash and tourney sets, but the cost and labor involved would be too much. You can buy the chips at about a dollar or maybe a bit more per chip, yes, but they you have to get them milled (at least 50 cents/chip), need to get labels from Gear or Gene (at least 20 cents/chip), and if you want inlay placement or textured inlays, God help you. Before you know it, it turns into a $1.75/chip project, and that's even before placement of an inlay which would cost upwards of $1 to $2 per chip.

the labor of milling the chips is where I am able to burn some of the chipping energy as opposed to spending that time drooling over others sets. I am curious about the resale value of milled THC solids though.
 
I feel like it is more like chipping contentment. After a 2-3 year period of really wanting EVERYTHING, I've evolved my wants into a much more restricted range...

I still enjoy chips, but I spend more time milling, hot stamping or building storage cases and less time on the classifieds just buying chips for some theoretical future project.

I'm also able to let go of more chips that are cool, but don't have as clear a purpose for me.
That's probably where I'm headed, minus the milling.

I'm going to settle in nice with my 3-4 cash sets and 3 tournament sets for a while. Order my custom tournament denomination CPC add on with the same theme as the cash set, so that's 4 tournament sets.

Then maybe design and have a custom CPC set once a year or so made.
 
I hit a wall a number of years ago for awhile, basically the transition from CT to PCF time period. I was as good as done with the hobby, so I popped onto PCF to sell off what little I had left.

What was supposed to be selling ended up getting me involved a lot again, lots of buying and selling. I peaked in 2019 and hit a wall as the year came to a close. Over the last two months I’ve sold a number of chips and put that money in a different hobby. I’ve purchased a total of 10 chips in 2020!

It feels like I’m kind of done with chipping right now, but having been there before it may change again.
 
Joe,

I hit the wall. It's not like coming to a stop right away. I'm crashing through.

It's a process. I've slowed my spending BIG TIME. Will only look to add on to existing sets and that's all. Dreams of owning PCAs are crushed for the time being. Didn't get to finish that one. I'll lock up what I have and hope for a return to buying mode someday.

I'm into the singles, but I've even slowed that to a near zero.

I don't know that I will go on from this point. I've re-experienced what it's like to have my hard earned money in my pocket for a few weeks and it feels great.

I'd have to sell or trade and I'm pretty far from even considering a trade or sale of any of my sets.

I understand what the wall is though, I think.
PCA's come up somewhat regularly on the classifieds, but it's sometimes hard to find a particular rack of what you may be looking for. Once my CDI set is complete and table made, my spending is going to slow considerably too, but it will be coming at the right time, as my wife will be working less over the summer (and therefore be making less money). As mentioned above, I may design and have a CPC set made every so often with a new theme or a twist on my first theme, but will be ordering a tournament add on in 1-2 years when the 44mm CPC molds go into rotation again.

My singles collecting has slowed by virtue of lack of space on my sample shelf :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 

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