How do you build chip sets? (1 Viewer)

[CrazyEddie]

Where would one find a 'glossary' of sets to look at to start narrowing down what I'm looking for? Does this even exist? Or just eye classifieds to find what one likes.

The classifieds are your best resource to learn what kinds of chips are available, because what gets traded is what's available.

The showcase section is your best resource to understand what people have done with what's available.

Make sure you read through the New Members post: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

Read my three-part introduction to the different types of chips so that you understand that you have some options besides high-end clays: One, two, three

If you just want some nice chips to use for your home game, there are lots of possibilities that you can just go buy; it's not hard to to find something you'll be very happy with. But on the other hand, if you want the very best chips, the ones that most people consider the most desirable... that's a collector's market. They don't make them any more and you can't just go buy them anywhere, so you have to sink significant time and money into finding what you want and buying them from the people who already own them.

There's a line between getting poker chips to improve your poker game and getting into poker chips as a hobby. I advise caution as you walk up towards that line.

Welcome to PCF! Good luck on your journey.

 

[Taxi500]

The classifieds are your best resource to learn what kinds of chips are available, because what gets traded is what's available.

The showcase section is your best resource to understand what people have done with what's available.

Make sure you read through the New Members post: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

Read my three-part introduction to the different types of chips so that you understand that you have some options besides high-end clays: One, two, three

If you just want some nice chips to use for your home game, there are lots of possibilities that you can just go buy; it's not hard to to find something you'll be very happy with. But on the other hand, if you want the very best chips, the ones that most people consider the most desirable... that's a collector's market. They don't make them any more and you can't just go buy them anywhere, so you have to sink significant time and money into finding what you want and buying them from the people who already own them.

There's a line between getting poker chips to improve your poker game and getting into poker chips as a hobby. I advise caution as you walk up towards that line.

Welcome to PCF! Good luck on your journey.

You're the best for that 3 parter. First thing I read when I got here. Thank you!

 

[philhut]

OCD runs deep on this site.
For myself and maybe others I/We add barrels as budgets allow. Also by adding barrels we meet the theoretical requirements of various stack/game types/capacity. I work out sets to 1 table, then 2 then 3 table+ capacity. 120-25/120-100/60-500/90-1000 makes a nice 1 table set, then adding 2 barrels of 25 & 100 and 1 barrel 500 & 1000 and some 5ks and you can push to 2 tables, then another few barrels 3 tables and so on. I have considered adding another rack of HSI 100's to be able to extend my set to a 6th tournament table...but so far I have resisted.

 

[RichMahogany]

Even I don't have enough hubris to think that I could design a chip set now that I'd love in a year... I am apprehensive to do so anytime soon.

I'm glad to know this now. I wasn't sure if this would be tacky. Does it not feel strange to play with a bunch of different chips at the same time though? I suppose when i think about it as long as they're a uniform size it wouldn't bother me.

Where would one find a 'glossary' of sets to look at to start narrowing down what I'm looking for? Does this even exist? Or just eye classifieds to find what one likes.

Haven’t read all the previous replies so maybe this has been answered.

When it comes to mixed sets and customs, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Some of them look like garbage in my opinion, being nothing more than a random assortment of chips. Others are a thing of beauty, having something that ties them together. It could be location, such as a Vegas or Reno mixed set or even a a California or Missouri themed set. Or maybe a set that has all hub mold shaped inlays or a different shaped inlay on every denomination. There are no rules except do what pleases you.

The one exception is mixed mold sets. Those should be taken behind the shed and shot lol

We’re all a little crazy here and sometimes get a little too serious. Just remember that poker and chip collecting is supposed to be fun, albeit expensive!

DDLM chips are a great option too. Not everyone’s cup of tea but I think mine are great! Bought them when the were first offered and got them customized into Cali colors. There are plenty of options out there and you never know what you might like until you have them in hand. The best, and most basic advice around here is to get samples and see what you like!

My DDLM set. Added another rack of yellow $5s not pictured

 

[Johnblue]

No affiliation. But check this out. Paulson, customizable, stuff like this pops up pretty often. There’s a bunch of casino Paulson solid tourney stuff floating around. These are modified, and heavily used etc, but currently available.

That’s not a steal of a deal, but I’m more trying to show you an example of an clay solids tourney set.

I bet if you asked around there’s more, newer similar type sets people would part with.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...c-set-plus-extras-goodies.94999/#post-1962381

 

[ovo]

I've built sets, one at a time. Instant sets are nice, but you really have an appreciation for a set that you have built over the last 15 years

 

[Johnblue]

No affiliation non denom set.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...c-ncv-2-table-tournament-set-860-chips.94617/

 

[chiptickler]

Collecting random barrels is thrilling. Nothing like coming across a matching set months or years later and saying, 'hey I know that guy'.

 

[ChippinUp]

Newbie here that was in the same position as you.

I ended up ordering a set of Tiki Kings from BrPro because like you I needed something to play with while I attempted to build a Paulson set. Not to mention the price point was a lot more attractive than buying 800 mint Paulsons at this stage.

While waiting for the tiki kings I ordered my first rack of Paulsons. I plan to acquire more Paulsons over the next year or so and build a mixed set that I will relabel. I’m not very patient so the thought of the Paulson set taking a year or possibly more was something that took time to accept but now that the Ceramics I ordered arrived it makes the thought of a slow build kind of exciting. Maybe not so excited on the thought of relabelling but this is the most cost effective way I can think of to build myself a moderately mint set of Paulsons while having a good quality set to play with.

I’ve ordered samples of some CPC’s to compare but I think all the advice above is great. This forum has so much knowledge but at the end of the day I’ll need a second job because of it……

 

[merkong]

China Clay. Determine your desire (mold, spots, colors) and go hunting. Drop a few bucks having a label designed and printed and you’re done.

They’re pretty easy to find in quantity, you can get the feel of the “hunt”, it can be done on the cheap (.20-.35/chip) and they are a horrifyingly underrated chip.