New from Texas (1 Viewer)

TX_Golf_N_Poker

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Greetings. Old dude from Texas, but new here. Came here due to a review I read in Amazon. Looking for information on buying a decent set of chips, and properly storing them. Most of what's being sold on Amazon looks like it's crap! I've already found some threads on using Apache cases for storage. They look cool, but I need to find the beginner post with the Paint by number explanations on how to build a nice safe case to protect the goods. Need to find some reviews on chips too. I want something that looks nice, but don't want to spend a fortune. Been looking at Claysmith. Hope I don't find out that they are crap too. Because that's about what my budget is.

Any suggestions or pointing to good threads appreciated.

TGP
 
Hello and welcome! You’re in the right place. Other than getting samples of various chips (which any good PCFer would tell you), be patient. There’s lots out there, and just when you think you’ve found ‘the one’ you’ll see something else you’ll like even more.
 
Hello and welcome! You’re in the right place. Other than getting samples of various chips (which any good PCFer would tell you), be patient. There’s lots out there, and just when you think you’ve found ‘the one’ you’ll see something else you’ll like even more.
Yeah, samples are good. I ordered some today from Claysmith.
 
Welcome buddy. As far as Claysmith - they are better than dice chips but they are still just plastic sluggos (My tournament set is still those, they never see any action so I won't spend serious money on it). Good chips are real clay (Paulson) ceramics and machined plastic (Bud Jones). China clays aren't bad, but I wouldn't say they are great either. Just get samples of everything you think might be good, and don't forget THE HOT DOG ROLLER :)
 
Hey. Check out the vendors here and really take your time before you order chips so you know you are happy. Definitely get sample sets and quite the variety.

You'll figure out what kind of chips you like the most over time.
 
Welcome buddy. As far as Claysmith - they are better than dice chips but they are still just plastic sluggos (My tournament set is still those, they never see any action so I won't spend serious money on it). Good chips are real clay (Paulson) ceramics and machined plastic (Bud Jones). China clays aren't bad, but I wouldn't say they are great either. Just get samples of everything you think might be good, and don't forget THE HOT DOG ROLLER :)
Yup, Paulsons are awesome. Unfortunately not in the budget. Claysmith web site says their Milanos are clay, and one of the vendors here (Apache) sells them too, and also says in the description that they are, I quote "solid clay." So are they lying? Stretching the truth? Like I said, I've got samples on the way, so I'll know soon enough if I like them or not.
 
Milanos are china clays - people here like them, until they handle something else. I am not saying they are bad, they are just nothing special for me. Go ahead and get samples of them and check them out, you might like them (I am in the ceramics club myself)
 
Yup, Paulsons are awesome. Unfortunately not in the budget. Claysmith web site says their Milanos are clay, and one of the vendors here (Apache) sells them too, and also says in the description that they are, I quote "solid clay." So are they lying? Stretching the truth? Like I said, I've got samples on the way, so I'll know soon enough if I like them or not.
From my understanding, they are casino replicas. I just got my Milanos in today as well as some Key West chips. Not a fan of Bud Jones (local casino)! The Claysmith stuff is definitely higher quality than dice but definitely lower quality than casino-clay chips.

In terms of coloring, they are somewhat off, there is some mis-painting here and there. They are fairly equal in size and shape and do not seem to warp.

Haven't tried apache.
 
Hello and welcome!

Believe it or not, just about all modern chip compositions are a little closer to plastic than they are to clay, because lots of different materials are mixed together to get certain colours, and weights, and compatibilities with the processes, etc. You can roughly divide chip materials into four categories:

Plastic: all the way from the very low end slugged dice chips and light interlocking ABS chips that your family used to play with, to very high end materials that are in the majority of casinos in Europe, Asia, and some specific-game use in North America. Do away with the cheap crap and look for quality names like Abbiati, Bourgogne et Grasset, Bud Jones, and Matsui.

Composite Clay: these are injection molded plastic chips that use different material compositions to try to replicate clay-type features and characteristics, with varying degrees of success. China Clays fall into this category, as well as lots of different types of mass-produced products looking for typical low-to-mid-range budgets.

Ceramics: dye-sublimation printing directly on the faces and edges of specially formulated chip engineered to retain the inks. Vendors offer stock designs as well as full customization (which is unparalleled in its flexibility). Typically in the mid-range of budgets, though special graphic options can raise the price significantly. There is a subset of these chips known as ceramic hybrids, which use a traditional graphic printed on an inlay and then stamped into the face of the chip, rather than just being fully dye-sub printed.

Compression clays: generally considered the best of the best. Traditional materials with modern processes. This is where names like Paulson, BCC, TRK, ASM, and CPC are showcased. Casino-used or fantasy lines, all are desirable, and generally come with a price tag to reflect that. CPC is the only modern manufacturer of compression clay poker chips that serves the custom home market.

Take your time to learn about all the examples of each, and try your best to evaluate samples before making any purchasing decision. And have fun while you're doing it, dammit!
 
Hello and welcome!

Believe it or not, just about all modern chip compositions are a little closer to plastic than they are to clay, because lots of different materials are mixed together to get certain colours, and weights, and compatibilities with the processes, etc. You can roughly divide chip materials into four categories:

Plastic: all the way from the very low end slugged dice chips and light interlocking ABS chips that your family used to play with, to very high end materials that are in the majority of casinos in Europe, Asia, and some specific-game use in North America. Do away with the cheap crap and look for quality names like Abbiati, Bourgogne et Grasset, Bud Jones, and Matsui.

Composite Clay: these are injection molded plastic chips that use different material compositions to try to replicate clay-type features and characteristics, with varying degrees of success. China Clays fall into this category, as well as lots of different types of mass-produced products looking for typical low-to-mid-range budgets.

Ceramics: dye-sublimation printing directly on the faces and edges of specially formulated chip engineered to retain the inks. Vendors offer stock designs as well as full customization (which is unparalleled in its flexibility). Typically in the mid-range of budgets, though special graphic options can raise the price significantly. There is a subset of these chips known as ceramic hybrids, which use a traditional graphic printed on an inlay and then stamped into the face of the chip, rather than just being fully dye-sub printed.

Compression clays: generally considered the best of the best. Traditional materials with modern processes. This is where names like Paulson, BCC, TRK, ASM, and CPC are showcased. Casino-used or fantasy lines, all are desirable, and generally come with a price tag to reflect that. CPC is the only modern manufacturer of compression clay poker chips that serves the custom home market.

Take your time to learn about all the examples of each, and try your best to evaluate samples before making any purchasing decision. And have fun while you're doing it, dammit!
THANKS! Lots of great information there. I'll know a lot more when my first set of samples arrive, as I'm very concerned about weight. I really don't think I'm going to like the slugged composite chips, although it would be a lot easier if I did. (budget wise) I want chips that "look" like casino clays. With irregular edge spots. I like the looks of the Bluff Canyon / Desert Heat chip a lot, but unfortunately Claysmith was out of those when I ordered my samples, so I got Rock and Roll instead which should be similar weight and feel, but with a different design. And I like a chip called Lucky Horseshoe that I saw on another site.

I've been looking at the Majestics tonight, and they look amazing, but at 10 cents more than the Milanos, that's really over my budget. Honestly, the Milanos are too, so unless they blow me away (they probably won't) I'm probably right back in the sluggo market.
 
Welcome old timer. I’m thinking you will find it fascinating here, where they Don’t mess with Texas .
 
Milanos are china clays - people here like them, until they handle something else. I am not saying they are bad, they are just nothing special for me. Go ahead and get samples of them and check them out, you might like them (I am in the ceramics club myself)
Thanks. Well, unless there is something better than Milanos at the same or lower price, it's not going to matter how great something else feels. I don't really see myself busting the budget as seldom as I'm going to be using these. I just play home games with family and friends a few times a year.
 
Welcome to the forum! Off the top if my head, two members close to me @Marhault and @Ben8257 have some posts here dedicated to case building (among other members here as well) and may be able to help you with some ideas of where to start! Definitely follow recommendations of getting samples whether purchasing through vendors or joining the traveling loaner sample pack thread. Royals are great chip for an affordable price, but if you already have the eye to see cheap chips on Amazon you may be in for the experience here haha best of luck on your adventure!
 
If you decide that you like the Milanos, Majestics or Dunes (China clay) hit me up, I'll get you a nice set well within your budget.
 
If you decide that you like the Milanos, Majestics or Dunes (China clay) hit me up, I'll get you a nice set well within your budget.
So are you a vendor, or do you have personal chips you're looking to move? Feel free to PM me with your price per chip and what you have available. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on something before the end of May. I am going to be very specific on numbers and denominations that I want, so if it's just a personal collection, we may not be able to mesh.
 

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