New Poker player question - Chip sizes (2 Viewers)

[Friskinator92]

Hello! I’m new to the world of poker and to PCF as well, and wanted to see how difficult it is to build custom designs on a 39mm compared to 43mm? I like the look of the larger 43mm because you can fit more on them, but have heard that it’s difficult to get chip “accessories” that fit the 43mm, is that true? Has anyone had any scaling issues with the design software trying to squeeze images onto a 39mm? Thank you in advance!

 

[dizzyChipper]

Hello! I’m new to the world of poker and to PCF as well, and wanted to see how difficult it is to build custom designs on a 39mm compared to 43mm? I like the look of the larger 43mm because you can fit more on them, but have heard that it’s difficult to get chip “accessories” that fit the 43mm, is that true? Has anyone had any scaling issues with the design software trying to squeeze images onto a 39mm? Thank you in advance!

Chip racks come in 43mm.
Most starting stack tubes fit 43mm.
Maybe briefcase style cases are difficult but who cares. Racks in hard sided cases work well.

What other accessories are there?

But design wise it isn’t a huge difference and casinos make it work on 39 with some small inlays too.

 

[AlbinoDragon]

The typical size chip in a casino is 39mm, which is why you will find more accessories and even "stock" designs using that.

A custom design on 39mm chip or a 43mm chip is actually a rather small difference (grab your trusty ruler and see what a 4mm difference is). Many folks try to put way too many design elements into an inlay design to begin with at any rate. Remember the inlay portion of a chip (particularly a clay chip or a ceramic chip pretending to be a clay chip) is only the size of a postage stamp.

Print your design at actual size (ignoring all the detail you see on your screen) and see how they look at arms-length on a table in the environment you are going to be using the chips in to actually know how your design will work in reality.


(You'll only see 43mm chips used in some TV and online streams, or on occasion here on PCF as those are really not generally used in a casino environment).

 

[SwissChip]

Welcome!
You can easily combine different sized chips.
The oversized chips for higher denoms.
For storage there are adapters to connect 39/43mm Tina racks.

On ceramic chips you can print the whole surface as ‚label‘.
Label size on common Paulson molds:
THC 22mm (39mm)
Pips/suits 23mm (39mm)
RHC 27mm (39mm)
IHC 27mm (43mm)
FHC 27mm (48mm)

CPC: 22mm (both 39mm/44mm)

Tina Hybrids: 24mm or 28mm (depend on mold)
(25mm on H&C/CapDash mold)

Less is more in inlay/label design.
Don‘t overload. Visible denoms!
You can color match with chip, and small variations between denoms work great.

 

[warewulf]

Most casino chips are 39mm. The ones that are 43mm are usually $500 and up.

I haven't played and large buy-in tournaments, but have only seen 39mm tournament chips. Pics on here are often people using cash chips for tournaments. That is because they're nicer looking. Most tournaments use solids. The casino isn't as worried about counterfeit tournament chips because they can't be cashed in at the cage.

 

[btbmason]

Most casino chips are 39mm. The ones that are 43mm are usually $500 and up.

I haven't played and large buy-in tournaments, but have only seen 39mm tournament chips. Pics on here are often people using cash chips for tournaments. That is because they're nicer looking. Most tournaments use solids. The casino isn't as worried about counterfeit tournament chips because they can't be cashed in at the cage.

Worth noting that some casinos use(d) 36mm chips for tournament sets. Horseshoe Cleveland, Horseshoe Cincinnati, Majestic Star all come to mind. (It’s not the size of the chips, it’s how you use them )

Also Horseshoe Indianapolis used Paulson Pro Series last time I played a tournament there, which are 41mm.

I’d agree that these are more outliers than standard practice, but casinos do funky things all the time.

To the OP: You can rationalize any type of set for any use you want really. Get samples, buy what you like, use them how you want. Most people playing won’t notice or care, and if they do, they’ll probably end up here posting a similar thread when they start down the rabbit hole.

 

[upNdown]

Also Horseshoe Indianapolis used Paulson Pro Series last time I played a tournament there, which are 41mm.

Wow! I thought those were only produced for a few fantasy sets.

 

[BigGrizz]

Basically, 39mm is the standard. 43mm is becoming more popular as a premium option. Accessories are easy enough to find for both, but 43mm is only like 10% of the market. I have been converted to the cult of 43mm, but 39mm is easier on the non-custom market.

 

[Old State]

Don’t worry about the art work. Any design scales. I got a set of 43mm made for fun and almost everyone prefers them. You just have to consider you have limited options for racks and birdcages for them while you can buy all types of storage options for 39s all over the internet. 39mm chips are probably 95%+ of all poker chips ever made. 43m would be in second (in casino often higher value chips $500+). The other sized are extremely rare.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]