How much did you pay for all the chips you have? (8 Viewers)

[bentax1978]

Not sure I want to spend that much money on a car.

For better or worse, my wife wants a new Volvo XC90. That's a lot of chips.

 

[btbmason]

I'm currently at somewhere between this statement and divorce:

Wife: "You spent HOW MUCH, on WHAT?"

All jokes aside my wife is now (feigning that she is) interested in my expensive hobby. Originally though she was very confused why this was happening.

I think I've spent a few grand, but I've ended up selling a lot more than I've kept due to trial and error.

 

[David O]

$1

 

[Trihonda]

Interesting twist this thread has taken.

I think my strategy has benefited from the fact my wife is not a huge fan of poker. She wants nothing to do with any of my winnings. I also grew up losing our family home to a gambling addict. So this means that my wife is well aware that I will never use family money for poker or poker related stuff. So anytime a chip package arrives on our front doorstep, my wife doesn't care so long as it isn't taking money away from the family.... now, that's said, i'm guessing that if my wife knew the actual amount, she would probably be shocked.

Funny story, a year ago after a trip to Vegas, my wife confronts me. My buddy, who is the heir to a fast food chain Empire, posts on Facebook that he is feeling severely underfunded for the trip to Vegas compared to me. Upon my return, my wife asks me "how much money are you gambling and risking, where the millionaire is feeling under funded compare to you?" After I didn't say anything, with a dumb look on my face, she asked me "well, did you at least win?". I then pull out my poker wallet (used on the trip) and toss it on the table in front of her, then say to her that I did win money, and she's welcome to count it. keep in mind, my wife has always declined to hear about poker proceeds (she's awesome, but stubborn). She picks up the wallet, hefts it around in her hands for a few moments while contemplating. You can tell there's a battle going on. Her stubbornness about poker proceeds, versus her curiosity. Ultimately, her curiosity wins the day, and she breaks Open the wallet, and starts counting out a bunch of hundos. After hitting well over 3k, she closes the wallet, sets it down and walks away without a word. After 17 years of marriage, you'd think I could read my wife, but in that moment, I had no idea if my wife was impressed or angry... about an hour later, I approach my wife and inquire about her thoughts. I said, "you never want to know, and then you just walked away without saying a word... what are your thoughts?" She simply replies "I approve" and walks away. We haven't spoken about it since. I've been to Vegas twice since then with very few complaints from the wife, lol

 

[nitzilla]

$1

This ^^^ ALWAYS THIS!

 

[btbmason]

So this means that my wife is well aware that I will never use family money for poker or poker related stuff.

It's worth pointing out that this is also true for me now.

I used family money for my first set as my wife bought herself a new computer, so I had free reign to do whatever I wanted for myself with an equal amount of money. She was just very surprised that's what I chose

 

[inca911]

After hitting well over 3k, she closes the wallet, sets it down and walks away without a word.

Good thing she didn't conclude that you brought over $5k and $3k was all that was left!

 

[Ben]

Here's what my wife knows:

-I have an entire 6-drawer tool chest full of chips and other poker-related items, plus my wall displays.
-How much the wall displays, poker tables, chairs, and chip chest cost (all except the chairs were technically "Christmas or Birthday" gifts at some point)
-I both receive and ship chip-related packages on a fairly regular basis (not nearly as much as some of you though...)
-I took a bunch of cash and paid off her van a year early.
-A few times I have paid off $500-$1000 credit card balances of hers in cash
-I have, on a number of occasions, paid our mortgage payment in cash
-None of these things were happening before I got into chips. I played poker almost exclusively in very small games, and my profits from them only covered incidental "hey do you have $20 cash for the drive-in?" type of stuff.

She has never inquired specifically about the cost of the chips, and I have never volunteered any info. I have no idea what she thinks they cost, or if she has even wondered. She's pretty smart so I would assume she would have some idea that they cost more than $50, if she ever bothered to care. I'm pretty sure there's a reason she's never asked - I think it's likely that if I came right out and said the true number, she would be fairly surprised and possibly slightly annoyed, but at the end of the day she'd be OK. If she ever did ask, I wouldn't hesitate to tell her.

The only thing she ever asks when I come home from or finish hosting a poker game is "did you have fun?" This is one of many reasons I'm married to her.

 

[BGinGA]

The only thing she ever asks when I come home from or finish hosting a poker game is "did you have fun?" This is one of many reasons I'm married to her.

That's exactly what I get, too...... assuming that she wasn't also in attendance (and usually kicking my ass on the felt if so). (y) :thumbsup:

 

[toad94]

The total?

 

[pltrgyst]

For better or worse, my wife wants a new Volvo XC90. That's a lot of chips.

Tit for tat. Or the other way round -- I get confused.

 

[bivey]

Call me crazy, but I have full disclosure with my wife. She thinks I'm Nutz and sometimes argues with me about it, but in the end we both feel like if we can't discuss it then we have a slippery slope type of problem.

 

[bentax1978]

Call me crazy, but I have full disclosure with my wife. She thinks I'm Nutz and sometimes argues with me about it, but in the end we both feel like if we can't discuss it then we have a slippery slope type of problem.

I don't know man, sounds dangerous. I don't tell me wife anything.

Spoiler

full disclosure, I tell @MrsBentax1975 everything

 

[kk405]

I think we have had enough wife confessions...can we get back to posting about chips now?

 

[BiGGyT]

Full disclosure, my wife knows I buy chips and that they are not cheap. She also knows the house is paid for, there is plenty in the bank, and the 401(k) is fully funded, so she doesn't worry about it, she just doesn't get it. She also knows if I get hit by a bus, chips get listed on PCF and/or eBay for maximum return.

I am probably level 3, approaching 4

 

[MegaTon44]

Call me crazy, but I have full disclosure with my wife. She thinks I'm Nutz and sometimes argues with me about it, but in the end we both feel like if we can't discuss it then we have a slippery slope type of problem.

I agree with you, Bert. My wife may think I'm a raging nutbag for my chip obsession, but it's sadly the only hobby I've had in the 12 years we've been together. I try to be as honest as possible and have learned to become more understanding about her purse and shoe addictions.

As long as we are not living above our means and missing payments, we try to enjoy ourselves.

 

[DJ Mack]

Ultimately, her curiosity wins the day, and she breaks Open the wallet, and starts counting out a bunch of hundos. After hitting well over 3k, she closes the wallet, sets it down and walks away without a word. After 17 years of marriage, you'd think I could read my wife, but in that moment, I had no idea if my wife was impressed or angry... about an hour later, I approach my wife and inquire about her thoughts. I said, "you never want to know, and then you just walked away without saying a word... what are your thoughts?" She simply replies "I approve" and walks away. We haven't spoken about it since.

Smart move hitting the bank on the way home and then returning it on your way to work

 

[manamongkids]

I agree with you, Bert. My wife may think I'm a raging nutbag for my chip obsession, but it's sadly the only hobby I've had in the 12 years we've been together. I try to be as honest as possible and have learned to become more understanding about her purse and shoe addictions.

As long as we are not living above our means, we try to enjoy ourselves.

could be worse, u could be an electronics nut with needing to have all the newest TVs, sound equipment, computers, etc. Things that only go down in value, chips arent that bad after all

 

[BiGGyT]

I agree with you, Bert. My wife may think I'm a raging nutbag for my chip obsession, but it's sadly the only hobby I've had in the 12 years we've been together. I try to be as honest as possible and have learned to become more understanding about her purse and shoe addictions.

As long as we are not living above our means and missing payments, we try to enjoy ourselves.

can't sell worn shoes for a profit, but put some harvested $2 HS cincy chips out there for $2.50 = Profit.

Just sayin.....

 

[Trihonda]

I agree with you, Bert. My wife may think I'm a raging nutbag for my chip obsession, but it's sadly the only hobby I've had in the 12 years we've been together. I try to be as honest as possible and have learned to become more understanding about her purse and shoe addictions.

As long as we are not living above our means and missing payments, we try to enjoy ourselves.

LOL, I once had a great session at our local casino. I called her on the way home and let her know I'd like to share the run-good with buying her a new Coach purse (she likes those). She replied that she'd rather I just paid the electric bill... lol. Ya, no.... I'm sure she got her purse anyway, but it probably just came out of family money.

could be worse, u could be a Cycling nut with needing to have all the newest Bikes, Clothing, Equipment, etc. Things that only go down in value, chips arent that bad after all

FYP...

 

[kmccormick100]

FYP...

This. My bikes are worth 4-5x what my chips are, haha. Thankfully the gf's dad is also a bike nut, and I treat her to little surprises with the Poker winnings, so she's ok with both hobbies

 

[Poker Zombie]

I dipped into the retirement savings once.

They were for really nice chips. I could easily resell them for much more - and may have to once I retire. But until that day 15 years away, those are the nicest looking 401(k) anywhere.

 

[DJ Mack]

could be worse, u could be an electronics nut with needing to have all the newest TVs, sound equipment, computers, etc. Things that only go down in value, chips arent that bad after all

And you can reasonably use them. In the collectibles world the quickest way to lose value is to start actually using those items for their intended purpose. Setting aside the really rare perfect singles, most chips have some wear to them. Pulling them off the shelf a couple times a year to play with them isn't going to cause any noticeable damage and so they'll pretty much hold their value.

Chips, as we tend to collect them, are interesting because you can amass huge quantities of the same item, that is, hundreds or thousands of the same chip. The value comes not from any individual chip but from the set as a whole. If someone's selling three pristine Horseshoe Clevelands $1s I'm not interested. But if they want to sell a whole rack of above average chips I want to know more.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Most of my initial investment into my poker chips/room and bankroll came from selling my Magic the Gathering cards. I was a highly competitive player that got into it from the beginning so I had a lot of very expensive cards.

The value of some of my decks cost more than any of current sets. I got burned out trying to keep up with 4 sets coming out every year and realized most of my MtG skills transferred easily to poker.

As for the wife topic she knows I buy stuff but knows to that the money for it doesn't come from my paycheck so she doesn't say much. Just occasionally she will make some comment like we could use that money to take an extra family vacation.

So we end up taking the kids for a weekend road trip that I have to pay for from my poker bankroll completely to keep her off my ass about the poker chips and other hobby that sucks up a bunch of money :

 

[Trihonda]

This. My bikes are worth 4-5x what my chips are, haha. Thankfully the gf's dad is also a bike nut, and I treat her to little surprises with the Poker winnings, so she's ok with both hobbies

Luckily, I've been able to incorporate my love of bikes into my poker world...

And my newest off road bike. A 2017 Trek Fuel EX that I got to take out to CO for a week of riding in the rockys this past Summer. Yup, this thing is easily worth several nice chip sets...

 

[MattinIdaho]

I've got $125 plus shipping into 750 nexgen pro's.ha And I'm happy with them

 

[David O]

$1

I just realized that I may have low balled my first answer a bit. After much thought and consideration the number is more like....

Spoiler: True Cost

$2

 

[Skitzo6_6_6]

I think everyone here is insane! I may need to unsubscribe to this forum or never log in again. This is an expensive hobby... Well at least for me it is.

I just cant help it though, I want to buy a new set and I dont even need it nor can afford it. I think I'll just enjoy my Milanos... for now.

 

[Trihonda]

I think everyone here is insane! I may need to unsubscribe to this forum or never log in again. This is an expensive hobby... Well at least for me it is.

I just cant help it though, I want to buy a new set and I dont even need it nor can afford it. I think I'll just enjoy my Milanos... for now.

Enjoy the Milanos. I started with those as my first nice chips. I enjoyed them, and still use them as a travel tourney set. Won't take the super nice chips to a bar game.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I just cant help it though, I want to buy a new set and I dont even need it nor can afford it. I think I'll just enjoy my Milanos... for now.

Enjoy the Milanos. I started with those as my first nice chips. I enjoyed them, and still use them as a travel tourney set. Won't take the super nice chips to a bar game.

Same here. I bought Milanos some time ago as I was looking for a new set. They are respectable, but weren't "mine". Now I use them for travel games, because as mentioned they are respectable, and more importantly, replaceable if one rolls away.