Hi from Sweden, new to poker. (1 Viewer)

[Ajoe25]

Hello everyone,

As many of you probably started, seeing poker on TV, then playing with friends or online and soon you found out that you got a pair of J and you're hooked...

Lucky happenstance - 1 year ago I found a cheap but nice poker table at a 2nd hand store here in Gothenburg where I live. My buddy had his good ol' trusty 300pcs dice plastic (11g) chip set and slowly most of our close friends got into our weekly poker game.
Mainly cash, microstakes ( 0.5 / 1 sek) which is the equivalent of $0.05/0.1.
We're usually 4-5 but now that the girlfriends started to notice the amount of poker lingo and hours we put into the game, sometimes 3 times a week, they also became curious and started joining. So the disease is growing...

As the de-facto host, since I have the poker table, I need to get myself a proper chip set, ideally with denominations - I can not explain one more time how much is the green chip worth or I will snap.

Lately I've been watching all of Hobbyphilics videos to find out which should be my first proper chip set.. and I thought I landed on something until I found out today about Tina, and Anita... and I am lost again...

O' great PCF! guide me in these darkest hours and shine thy light upon me!

 

[hypnox]

Welcome! A good starting point is Key West. They are Classic Poker Chips just sold via a third party. They are slightly cheaper than a custom chip and they are pretty nice if you are into old school designs and colors.

 

[Eriks]

Välkommen! I see you’re just about to start tumbling down the rabbit hole.

A few questions come to mind before making suggestions:

- What budget are you working with?
- How does you game play? Limpy limp or deep and aggressive with lots of rebuys?
- Where do you see your game in 5 years? (Need of future proofing the set)
- How many players? (Game growing?)
- Do you see yourself playing bigger later on, i.e are you guys on a student budget for the moment or simply happy with micro stakes? (nothing wrong with that)
- Do you want to go one and done or are you fine with testing out the waters with a budget set first that you may upgrade later?

 

[Ajoe25]

Welcome! A good starting point is Key West. They are Classic Poker Chips just sold via a third party. They are slightly cheaper than a custom chip and they are pretty nice if you are into old school designs and colors.

Thanks hypnox! I do like the way they look from what I've seen on youtube
Unfortunately they don't sell them currently on CPC.

The problem with living in Sweden and ordering from US is that with shipping and import fees it ends up costing double, and for a 500 chip set is almost not worth it.

 

[hypnox]

Thanks hypnox! I do like the way they look from what I've seen on youtube
Unfortunately they don't sell them currently on CPC.

The problem with living in Sweden and ordering from US is that with shipping and import fees it ends up costing double, and for a 500 chip set is almost not worth it.

Ah that makes sense. But if you change your mind. Key West chips are their own thing by a third party. Their website is

https://www.keywestresortcasino.com/key-west-casino-chips.html

 

[Eriks]

Here they are:

https://www.keywestresortcasino.com/casino-chip-info.html

The problem with living in Sweden and ordering from US is that with shipping and import fees it ends up costing double, and for a 500 chip set is almost not worth it.

The first few sets hurt a bit but then you forget about it

 

[Ajoe25]

Välkommen! I see you’re just about to start tumbling down the rabbit hole.

A few questions come to mind before making suggestions:

- What budget are you working with?
- How does you game play? Limpy limp or deep and aggressive with lots of rebuys?
- Where do you see your game in 5 years? (Need of future proofing the set)
- How many players? (Game growing?)
- Do you see yourself playing bigger later on, i.e are you guys on a student budget for the moment or simply happy with micro stakes? (nothing wrong with that)
- Do you want to go one and done or are you fine with testing out the waters with a budget set first that you may upgrade later?

Tja,

Thanks for the questions!
- I reckon I can afford up to 2.5k sek for a decent chip set now. I was close to buying some ceramics from a guy here in Sweden who was marketing them as unique and wanting 0.5$/chip, but going down the rabbit hole I found out his set came from Tina, its one of their stock design and it's 0.22$/chip and he is not selling them at half the price.
- Action: my buddy who owns the dice chips and I are more "experienced"and we go more aggresive and a lot of rebuys (5$ buy in after all) but the more newbie friends are limpy limp and taking it easy.
- I was considering 0.25 denom chips but I might just skip it and future proof with more of 1 - 100 denoms.
- currently 5-7 players (2 of our girlfriends are learning now so hopefully it will be more like 6-8 soom). I would love to move to a house, have a man cave and open up my game to a couple more tables in 5 years time but I doubt it will go anywhere outside of our close friend circle in the near future.
- I hope we can make the jump to 1/2 sek ($0.1/0.2) and increase the buy-in to 200sek / $20. We did discuss having a once a month bigger game so I will definitely need to add more 25s and some 100s
- I'm ok with a cheaper set and buy a new set in a couple of years, not one and done. But I hate the idea of being taken for a fool and paying close to 120$ for a 300 set of ABS chips but with stickers on them from *insert any european poker reseller*

 

[Tonysquander]

Welcome to PCF!

 

[Freudeus]

Välkommen!

The only reasonable thing to do, as was pointed out to me when I first got here, is to cancel your account and just leave. Save yourself!!!!
No? Oh well, welcome to the rabbit hole of beautiful madness!

Second most reasonable thing to do is to start collecting shuffle stacks, samples. There are so many variations and manufacturers, and it really boils down to taste

 

[Ajoe25]

Välkommen!

The only reasonable thing to do, as was pointed out to me when I first got here, is to cancel your account and just leave. Save yourself!!!!
No? Oh well, welcome to the rabbit hole of beautiful madness!

Second most reasonable thing to do is to start collecting shuffle stacks, samples. There are so many variations and manufacturers, and it really boils down to taste

I consider myself warned! Haha..every couple of hours into this rabbit hole I do ask myself "I could just buy that Monte Carlo ABS set and not waste some much time on this" but then I shush the voice of reason and continue...

I think I will end up doing just that...

 

[allforcharity]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Fran]

Welcome!

 

[Eriks]

Tja,

Thanks for the questions!
- I reckon I can afford up to 2.5k sek for a decent chip set now. I was close to buying some ceramics from a guy here in Sweden who was marketing them as unique and wanting 0.5$/chip, but going down the rabbit hole I found out his set came from Tina, its one of their stock design and it's 0.22$/chip and he is not selling them at half the price.
- Action: my buddy who owns the dice chips and I are more "experienced"and we go more aggresive and a lot of rebuys (5$ buy in after all) but the more newbie friends are limpy limp and taking it easy.
- I was considering 0.25 denom chips but I might just skip it and future proof with more of 1 - 100 denoms.
- currently 5-7 players (2 of our girlfriends are learning now so hopefully it will be more like 6-8 soom). I would love to move to a house, have a man cave and open up my game to a couple more tables in 5 years time but I doubt it will go anywhere outside of our close friend circle in the near future.
- I hope we can make the jump to 1/2 sek ($0.1/0.2) and increase the buy-in to 200sek / $20. We did discuss having a once a month bigger game so I will definitely need to add more 25s and some 100s
- I'm ok with a cheaper set and buy a new set in a couple of years, not one and done. But I hate the idea of being taken for a fool and paying close to 120$ for a 300 set of ABS chips but with stickers on them from *insert any european poker reseller*

They were listed here as well, unfortunately sold now though:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...pired-1-025pcs-brand-new.106184/#post-2198568

Yeah, definitely try to get the group to play with more bbs. 50 doesn’t leave much room for poker. Most would advocate at least 100bbs for cash but preferably 200 and up.

At that budget, your best bet would probably be to find some Tina chips through the classifieds here. Likely possible to find within EU so that you don’t have to pay custom fees. You could put up a wanted ad and see if you can shake any of them loose.

China clays are another option. Milanos or Majestics for instance. I think pokershop.de might carry them.

 

[marsellus]

Welcome!

Don't do like me. I came here just for fun, wanting to spend like $200 for a set, and after not even one month I've already spent more than 10x that amount

 

[Mr Winberg]

Välkommen!

- I was considering 0.25 denom chips but I might just skip it and future proof with more of 1 - 100 denoms.

I recommend this. Even if you don't raise the stakes, you can play 1/1 instead of 0.50/1. I've tried both myself and I found 1/1 much more enjoyable since you'll never have someone raise you to "23............... å femti!!" (which I find super annoying).

For your group and stakes I'd recommend:

• 1kr: Between 100 and 200 (most here would recommend closer to 100, but I like 200, so perhaps somewhere in between?)
• 5kr: At least 200, but as many as you can afford. I have 800, so the 25s don't always see the felt! Lots of towers of fives is awesome!
• 25kr: Enough to cover your bank.
• 100kr: Only needed if you can't afford enough chips to cover the bank with the 1kr, 5kr and 25kr.

 

[lane_robert_s]

Welcome

 

[Ajoe25]

Welcome!

Thanks!

Välkommen!


I recommend this. Even if you don't raise the stakes, you can play 1/1 instead of 0.50/1. I've tried both myself and I found 1/1 much more enjoyable since you'll never have someone raise you to "23............... å femti!!" (which I find super annoying).

For your group and stakes I'd recommend:

• 1kr: Between 100 and 200 (most here would recommend closer to 100, but I like 200, so perhaps somewhere in between?)
• 5kr: At least 200, but as many as you can afford. I have 800, so the 25s don't always see the felt! Lots of towers of fives is awesome!
• 25kr: Enough to cover your bank.
• 100kr: Only needed if you can't afford enough chips to cover the bank with the 1kr, 5kr and 25kr.

That's really good advices!
This community feels very friendly helpful and nice!

It does feel a bit weird when someone raises to 2.50 haha.

Question 1 for everyone: Is $0.45 or 4.5sek too much for Tina chips? No mold but the owner said textured finish not smooth. It's the Aces set.
We had a poker game today and I payed close atention to my cheap dice bip set and I realised I really don't like spinners.

Q2 : Does having the card mold increase or decrease the spinner effect?

Thanks to everyone for their support and welcoming nature

 

[Ajoe25]

Welcome!

Don't do like me. I came here just for fun, wanting to spend like $200 for a set, and after not even one month I've already spent more than 10x that amount

I'm afraid that might happen in the long run...luckily this month money is a bit tight and I might not splurge that much.

A lot is also dependent on wether or not my friends stick to the weekly game we have or they get bored.

Any secrets into keeping a weekly game well alive and healthy? We got really into it and sometimes play 2-3 times a week but today, in the last couple of hours, with the last 4 of us standing there was a bit of a weird vibe..almost as if a couple of them has had enough "bad beats".. but that's what happens when you get sticky with top pair and don't see the flush or the straight...

 

[Just1Better]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

[Eriks]

Question 1 for everyone: Is $0.45 or 4.5sek too much for Tina chips? No mold but the owner said textured finish not smooth. It's the Aces set.
We had a poker game today and I payed close atention to my cheap dice bip set and I realised I really don't like spinners.

It might have been 43mm chips, in which case that’s what they cost. If they are 39mm, it’s a bit of a premium, but on the other hand you don’t have to wait for production.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...uly-2023-customs-welcome.106442/#post-2198788

I don’t own a set of these myself, but I understand that a certain amount of spinners is to be expected. Usually people buy a little extra to account for that.

 

[Ajoe25]

It might have been 43mm chips, in which case that’s what they cost. If they are 39mm, it’s a bit of a premium, but on the other hand you don’t have to wait for production.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...uly-2023-customs-welcome.106442/#post-2198788

I don’t own a set of these myself, but I understand that a certain amount of spinners is to be expected. Usually people buy a little extra to account for that.

Yeah, it's 39mm and being able to pick them up this weekend is a huge plus.

I was considering trying to get the price down to 4 sek/chip or no deal. Or only buy 300..but then I would probably need to add-on later. Also I generally change my mind a lot and can be both impulsive and hard to decide. At the same time! Scumbag brain...

I wonder how many people have china clay (Milano, Majestic, etc) sets on this forum.
I've seem some sets in the Sold ads and they go for very good prices (for the buyer). Will keep an eye out.

What was your first set? What about 2nd? And how did you decide on them?

 

[Ainton]

Hey and välkommen to the forum!

For that budget definetly take a look at Tina’s cards mold, I have a set that might work for you we should talk businesses later. Write me a pm if you are interested

But I would suggest that instead of increasing the blinds, you increase the maximum buy in to 200 big blinds, allow your players to buy in for 50 to 200sek, this will open up for a bit looser play, you can 3bet without going all in.

 

[Eriks]

Yeah, it's 39mm and being able to pick them up this weekend is a huge plus.

I was considering trying to get the price down to 4 sek/chip or no deal. Or only buy 300..but then I would probably need to add-on later. Also I generally change my mind a lot and can be both impulsive and hard to decide. At the same time! Scumbag brain...

I wonder how many people have china clay (Milano, Majestic, etc) sets on this forum.
I've seem some sets in the Sold ads and they go for very good prices (for the buyer). Will keep an eye out.

What was your first set? What about 2nd? And how did you decide on them?

My first (not counting dice chips) was a set of Paulson CDI 05s. But those were different times. I got it retail from apachepoker at $1/chip.

Been through a few since

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/erik’s-pcf-journey-in-pictures.88637/

If the set you’re looking at now already is in Sweden and fits your need, I think it’s a no brainer to try it out, even if you pay a bit too much compared to original price.

 

[Eriks]

But I would suggest that instead of increasing the blinds, you increase the maximum buy in to 200 big blinds, allow your players to buy in for 50 to 200sek, this will open up for a bit looser play, you can 3bet without going all in

This!

 

[Mr Winberg]

Any secrets into keeping a weekly game well alive and healthy?

Yes. Always keep recruiting! Always! If a game isn't growing, it's dying!
For example, out or the 7-8 OGs in my group, NONE has attended any of this year's tournaments (with 20+ players). Life happens. People move, get kids, lose interest etc.

Or only buy 300..but then I would probably need to add-on later.

No, either buy the lot or none. Chasing add-ons can be frustrating. Buy once, cry once!

I wonder how many people have china clay (Milano, Majestic, etc) sets on this forum.

I do. I have both CCs and ceramics. I have no preference between the two. CCs sound better, less clanky, but they smell a bit. And not the smell of money or victory.

I think those aces chips seem nice! And they can probably be resold at only a small loss if you decide to change directions.