New Milano Cash Set (1 Viewer)

Silent_K

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I just picked up my first set of denominated chips for a .25/.25 game I run for my neighbors. We had been using some cheap blank composite chips. These worked okay, but could be confusing at times. I've been wanting to upgrade to something a little nicer but I'm not rolling in custom or Paulson money right now. So, after a few months of research and reading reviews I decided to give the Milano's a shot. I wanted to share my experience here for anyone else who may be considering a set.

I found the best available selection and lowest pricing at www.pokerchipmania.com. They estimated 3-5 business days for processing, plus shipping time. But, they were on my doorstep the fourth business day. The only downside was communication. I didn't receive a shipping confirmation until the day they arrived so they sat on my porch for a while. They were packaged well and arrived with no damage. Although, there was some tearing of the envelopes due to the weight of the chips.

I've heard a lot of talk about the smell of china clay chips. When I opened them initially, I didn't notice a smell at all unless I put one up to my nose. However, after having them cooped up in a chip rack the smell is quite noticeable when the lid is first removed. But, I don't notice it at all when I'm playing with them.

Another common complaint I've read is that these chips aren't perfectly flat. However, all of my stack perfectly with absolutely zero rocking when I hold a stack between by finger and thumb and squeeze.

The colors are muted, but not nearly as dull as they appear online. The red birds in particular are quite striking after being thoroughly cleaned. (Pictures below are after soap and water, but before mineral oil).

I have some Aria and Westgate chips from my most recent trip to Vegas that I used as a comparison. Here are my takeaways:
  • The primary differences between the two are the edge profile and face texture. The casino chips have very defined square edges while the Milanos are tapered. And the Milanos feature a texture pattern on the face while the casino chips are smooth except for an impression of the casino name. (Pictures below)
  • They are identical in thickness.
  • The casino chip material has a slightly shinier finish, while the Milanos are more matte. Otherwise, they feel quite similar in texture and weight (the Milanos may feel slightly heavier, but I didn't actually weigh them).
  • The sound is what impressed me the most. One of the most satisfying things about playing in a casino is the sound the chips make. The Milanos are nearly indistinguishable in tone from the casino chips, only slightly higher in pitch. (Click here for audio).

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I hope someone out there finds this helpful. Later!
 
I've heard a lot of talk about the smell of china clay chips. When I opened them initially, I didn't notice a smell at all unless I put one up to my nose. However, after having them cooped up in a chip rack the smell is quite noticeable when the lid is first removed. But, I don't notice it at all when I'm playing with them.


Very nice write up! One of the things I like with this forum.

Btw all of these threads/posts from people complaining about the smell is probably just to convince themselves moving a bit faster to CPC/Paulsons ;)
 
The smell is there but ever so little that I never think about it. None of my players have ever mentioned it. They all think we are playing with top of the line clay chips.
 
I like Milanos, but I do have to take issue with a couple points you make.
  • The sound isn't the same. Milanos sound light, with a high-pitched sound, where Paulson's have a heavy thud sound. It's like comparing a violin and a viola. They are similar, but far from the same. However, if you can't tell the difference maybe others cant either. Your sound link tells the story, so anyone considering Milanos and concerned about the sound should give it a listen and make their own determination.
  • There is absolutely a difference in height. Pictured below is a barrel of New Paulsons against a barrel of T100 Milanos. The Paulsons are thinner by a whole 1/2 chip in a barrel which makes some Paulson sized racks inappropriate (too tight) for Milanos. These are new Paulsons as well - casino used chips will be worn even thinner.
    20220721_151948.jpg
I for one like the Milano smell - but I also like the smell of a new car. When I bought my Milano set, it was the best new set I had at the time, and helped to improve my hosting game. The smell of a new China clay still brings me back to that excited feeling of something new.
 
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Great set as an affordable option - I went for the Dunes set as my first ones and have similar thoughts to you. If you oil these they do look much better - the colours pop! Maybe something to consider :)

I hope they go down well with your game :)
 
I think the smell is overblown

it's definitely a sensitivity thing. i can't handle the smell of china clays, it is completely overpowering to me. but only one other person at my game ever commented on it.
 
it's definitely a sensitivity thing. i can't handle the smell of china clays, it is completely overpowering to me. but only one other person at my game ever commented on it.
I for one like the Milano smell - but I also like the smell of a new car. When I bought my Milano set, it was the best new set I had at the time, and helped to improve my hosting game. The smell of a new China clay still brings me back to that excited feeling of something new.
I owned Milano as my main and only set for over 2 years before I found PCF, you only will notice the smell if you put the chips beside your nose and no one else in my Poker group or my family had notice about the smell too.

It think it Definitely a man to man sensitivity thing, just like how most Non-Asian find Durian are smelly

An old picture of my old Milano set
1659450804897.png
 
  • There is absolutely a difference in height. Pictured below is a barrel of New Paulsons against a barrel of T100 Milanos. The Paulsons are thinner by a whole 1/2 chip in a barrel which makes some Paulson sized racks inappropriate (too tight) for Milanos. These are new Paulsons as well - casino used chips will be worn even thinner.

Not matching the exact height of another chip set or casino chip doesn't seem like an issue to me, but I'm a newbie. I've been looking at the Milanos as a starter set for a while. Two concerns about them that I think I recall reading on PCF or maybe elsewhere:
  • noticeable inconsistency in color if you choose to expand a set later
  • occasional inconsistency in thickness between some Milanos in barrel to barrel height between different manufacturing runs —also a potential issue when expanding a set.
Have you experienced or seen the same?

Thanks
 
Not matching the exact height of another chip set or casino chip doesn't seem like an issue to me, but I'm a newbie. I've been looking at the Milanos as a starter set for a while. Two concerns about them that I think I recall reading on PCF or maybe elsewhere:
  • noticeable inconsistency in color if you choose to expand a set later
  • occasional inconsistency in thickness between some Milanos in barrel to barrel height between different manufacturing runs —also a potential issue when expanding a set.
Have you experienced or seen the same?

Thanks
First, the comment about not matching the height was in reference to the OP's claim that "They are identical in thickness [to Paulsons]". I take issue with factually wrong statements on a forum meant to educate. I own both Paulsons and Milano's (and various other sets), and there are usually no problems with different thicknesses of chips, though some racks will hold 19 chips and others will hold 22, so if you have varying thickness chips you will need various sized racks/storage solutions. As long as you don't mix and match sets the different heights are a non-issue when playing.

As to your question, I have not expanded my Milano set, so I cannot speak on Milano consistency over time.

However, I can say that I have not yet seen a manufacturer that did not have varied issues over time. China Clay manufacturers are no exception.

Whenever I am asked what is the greatest lesson I have learned chipping, it is "buy more than you think you will need". It will cost more up front, but if you host a good game it will expand. Once I could barely fill a table with 6 players. Today, I lament buying sets that can only host 20, because I had 21 at my last game. I'd rather not turn away people because I don't have the chips. My only "acceptable" reason to limit a game is space (I'm not buying a bigger house, though it would be nice).

Obviously, this may not be feasible for everybody. I'm a home owner and do not plan to move so I don't need to keep my sets small and portable. I also have some expandable income, something I had far less of when I started. I am sympathetic of reasons to buy "just what you need", but that bug has bitten me a couple times and left me with sets that I cannot use most nights. Some manufacturers go out of business. Many change production materials for cheaper ones or different dyes. Sometimes the formula changes.

If today you are thinking, "can I add on in the future", then the answer is "buy more chips now".
 
I just picked up my first set of denominated chips for a .25/.25 game I run for my neighbors. We had been using some cheap blank composite chips. These worked okay, but could be confusing at times. I've been wanting to upgrade to something a little nicer but I'm not rolling in custom or Paulson money right now. So, after a few months of research and reading reviews I decided to give the Milano's a shot. I wanted to share my experience here for anyone else who may be considering a set.

I found the best available selection and lowest pricing at www.pokerchipmania.com. They estimated 3-5 business days for processing, plus shipping time. But, they were on my doorstep the fourth business day. The only downside was communication. I didn't receive a shipping confirmation until the day they arrived so they sat on my porch for a while. They were packaged well and arrived with no damage. Although, there was some tearing of the envelopes due to the weight of the chips.

I've heard a lot of talk about the smell of china clay chips. When I opened them initially, I didn't notice a smell at all unless I put one up to my nose. However, after having them cooped up in a chip rack the smell is quite noticeable when the lid is first removed. But, I don't notice it at all when I'm playing with them.

Another common complaint I've read is that these chips aren't perfectly flat. However, all of my stack perfectly with absolutely zero rocking when I hold a stack between by finger and thumb and squeeze.

The colors are muted, but not nearly as dull as they appear online. The red birds in particular are quite striking after being thoroughly cleaned. (Pictures below are after soap and water, but before mineral oil).

I have some Aria and Westgate chips from my most recent trip to Vegas that I used as a comparison. Here are my takeaways:
  • The primary differences between the two are the edge profile and face texture. The casino chips have very defined square edges while the Milanos are tapered. And the Milanos feature a texture pattern on the face while the casino chips are smooth except for an impression of the casino name. (Pictures below)
  • They are identical in thickness.
  • The casino chip material has a slightly shinier finish, while the Milanos are more matte. Otherwise, they feel quite similar in texture and weight (the Milanos may feel slightly heavier, but I didn't actually weigh them).
  • The sound is what impressed me the most. One of the most satisfying things about playing in a casino is the sound the chips make. The Milanos are nearly indistinguishable in tone from the casino chips, only slightly higher in pitch. (Click here for audio).

View attachment 952735View attachment 952736View attachment 952737View attachment 952738View attachment 952739View attachment 952740

I hope someone out there finds this helpful. Later!
Thank-you for the write-up. Very useful. Quick question-are the inlays on your Milano's stickers that can be removed? I'm updating from the composites I have and really like the Milanos. The trouble is, every blank set I see does not have the colors I want but the sets with denominations do. Thanks, again.
 
First, the comment about not matching the height was in reference to the OP's claim that "They are identical in thickness [to Paulsons]". I take issue with factually wrong statements on a forum meant to educate.
To be fair, I didn’t say they were identical in thickness to all Paulsons (or your Paulsons). Just that they are identical in hight to the Westgate and Aria chips I have at home to compare them to. Which is factually, demonstrably, true.
.
 
Thank-you for the write-up. Very useful. Quick question-are the inlays on your Milano's stickers that can be removed? I'm updating from the composites I have and really like the Milanos. The trouble is, every blank set I see does not have the colors I want but the sets with denominations do. Thanks, again.
They are stickers. Some have reported receiving new chips that the stickers have fallen off. Mine are all there and stuck on really well. No issues when washing or oiling them. I’ve been told they can be removed by carefully peeling up the edge with an exacto knife.
 
To be fair, I didn’t say they were identical in thickness to all Paulsons (or your Paulsons). Just that they are identical in hight to the Westgate and Aria chips I have at home to compare them to. Which is factually, demonstrably, true.
.
Ah - the casino used chips probably have some wear to them. Paulsons do get thinner with casino use.
 
Milanos were my main set before discovering PCF. The smell 90% dissipates over time. Aged Milanos probably only smell if you put them right up to your nose.
 

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