Looking for a first real set with a catch... (1 Viewer)

[UncleMarlin]

New to this forum and really enjoying the wealth of information on here! The past couple of weeks I've been trying to do my own digging with only some luck.

I've been playing poker for years and now a group of 6-8 friends and I are beginning to take it more seriously. I'd like to get a nice set of chips for us to play with, as for now we're stuck with some plastics. Been happily surprised at the prices of some of the cheaper casino offerings I've seen (some Majestic Star, HSI, and even some of the Jack Casino chips aren't too bad of a buy for me).

Problem is, I'd like to be able to also use these chips for casual games with family and potentially young kids around, so to save myself the stress I'm only looking for the Paulsons made after 06-08 with the low lead content. I'm aware there's probably no risk of harm from the lead in chips and the concentrations are probably overblown, but I'd much rather air on the side of caution if this is a set I'd like to use in a wide variety of situations. Don't even mind paying a little extra for some of their less desirable molds, but $2-$2.50 a chip would probably be my max. So with all of that pointless follow up, here is my question:

Is there an easy/accurate way to know if a Paulson contains lead by a picture alone? Or is there a way (by color, by specific casino, by specific mold, etc.) to determine if it was made after they stopped using lead in production?

I know it's a bit of a long shot but thought it might be worth posting anyone has any info. My bad if this is kind of a pointless hunt, new around here. Appreciate you taking the time to read this!

 

[Josh Kifer]

Just check the weight. It's not hard to figured out the leaded vs unleaded when you feel them side to side.

It's a non issue tho, since most players should not eat the chips. But if you have anyone start eating the chips, I just keep a wet newspaper to bop them with. Then a firm "No".

 

[UncleMarlin]

I just keep a wet newspaper to bop them with. Then a firm "No".

About the best tip I've received thus far!

 

[Josh Kifer]

About the best tip I've received thus far!

This is what I do here. Hahaha.

Enjoy the journey, my friend!

 

[buzzmonkey]

While not everyone's cup of tea, ceramics can be a good option here as well.

 

[Sunshine]

It's my understanding that it's unlikely you would "accidentally" end up with leaded chips. They haven't been produced for a while and are gobbled up (heh, hopefully not literally) by those who want the extra weight and/or different feel.

Don't think you'd get any without going in search of them specifically ...

 

[upNdown]

One thing you can do is research the casino, either through chipguide or wikipedia or whatever, to find out when they opened or rebranded. Otherwise, just ask around. Unfortunately, the answers aren't always simple. For example, from what I've read, those Majestic Star chips you mentioned are leaded. Or at least some of them are? They apparently got leaded chips originally, but then added on more chips which came unleaded? I dunno. If you're really concerend, just make sure you get Jacks or something else that was definitely manufactured in the last 5-10 years.

 

[UncleMarlin]

One thing you can do is research the casino, either through chipguide or wikipedia or whatever, to find out when they opened or rebranded.

Gotcha, that's good advice. I was specifically looking at when different casinos opened but didn't really consider rebranding and doing much research past the dates or anything else. I also tried looking at the colors of some of the majestics and matching them up but from pictures it felt a little pointless. Should definitely get some samples. I think I prefer the look of the majestics but can count on the Jacks being what I'm looking for so maybe I'll go for those. Thank you for the helpful info!!!

 

[chipinla]

Go full custom if 2-2.50 is your price range.

 

[joeyshin]

I wound say most chips sold around that price are not leaded. Sometimes we use the term leaded only to mean they are heavy, but metallic flakes that were not lead were added to chips. For example PNY or more recently Majestic Stars. They have heavy but not technically leaded. I would more concerned with casino used chips since we say they’re covered with “hooker juice” it might literally be true. Even washing used casino chips I would not let my little kids play with.


Or as someone said, go ceramics. They’re great.

 

[Littleluck55]

Also, chip exchange ( vendor here) has new and used horseshoe Cincinnati chips available. One stop shopping for a set that is available. They are definitely not leaded.

I was about to comment you probably won’t find leaded casino chips under $2.50 but I forgot about the used majestics as well as some of the leaded RHC chips like Argosy and Grand Victoria in Indiana

 

[UncleMarlin]

Sometimes we use the term leaded only to mean they are heavy, but metallic flakes that were not lead were added to chips.

Good to know, wasn’t aware leaded was more of a blanketed term. And yeah, definitely not looking to let any little ones around these chips, but having piece of mind just in case when it comes to leaving them out on a table or something is worth its weight in gold for me (not worth its weight in lead though )

Also, chip exchange ( vendor here) has new and used horseshoe Cincinnati chips available.

Awesome, I’ll check it out, thank you!