Official 2018 Custom Chip Set HOF Voting Thread (1 Viewer)

[Mr Tree]

The ballot box is open for the 2018 Custom Chip Set Hall of Fame. Fourteen sets have been nominated for your consideration, four will be enshrined. Please take your time and consider each set. I highly encourage looking for original threads either here or on the blue wall to give historical context to each. Please take your time and consider each carefully!

This year's nomination team included @Poker Zombie @k9dr @slisk250 @72o and @bivey. They are also responsible for most of the writeups on each set.

When voting please MAKE SURE TO MAKE ALL YOUR SELECTIONS AT ONE TIME! If you do not you will not be able to go back and edit them. Voting is open to established members with a minimum of ten posts. Voting will be open for two weeks. After that time the four sets with the most votes will be inducted into the hall of fame.

Thank you, and please find writeups and pr0n on each set below.

 

[Mr Tree]

Chateau de Noix 2 cash set

Owner: bivey
Artist: John Faulhaber (J5)
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: Circle Square (CSQ)

This is the second installment of the Chateau de Noix cash series for Bert (bivey). The name Chateau de Noix is used again and is a loose translation of "The House of Nutz" keeping all of his custom chips tied together. The thematic construction of the CdN2 set is built on the idea of a French bistro where you are surrounded by good food and even better wine. The inlay is designed to look like the sidewalk chalkboards on which menus are typically written. Bert changed up the mold (from the FDL) and went with the CSQ mold here instead and was giving permission by CPC to use a 1" inlay in order to fill the entire inner ring area of the mold. He did still want to keep the fleur-de-lis element consistent throughout his custom sets and decided to use it here on the inlay. Each chip has a color-matched fleur-de-lis and a double-sided design. Bert wanted to stay cohesive with the CdN2 tourney set by using a lot of 1/8" spots between the 2 sets. Also the colors were intentionally much brighter than the original CdN cash set and lends itself to the "old meets new" idea.

The pink $.50 and purple $2 chips were added as a special limit set and are in addition to the $1, $5, $20 and $100 cash denoms.

Initial pr0n posted on July 20,2016.

Denominations (with total quantities):

(400) $.50's - 212 - DG Pink base with Retro Red spots
(200) $1's - 418 - Black base with DG Yellow spots
(400) $2's - 414 - Lavender base with White spots
(500) $5's - 6D18 - DG Peacock base with DG Pink and White spots
(100) $20's - 8D18 - Purple base with DG Tiger and DG Arc Yellow spots
(40) $100's - 4TA181418 - Dark Green base with DG Green and Bright White spots

Quotes from the community:

"Wow. That $20 is on fire!!!! Also love the $100" - stocky

"Again ????? Wow.... FRAK! Yet another insta classic in CDN series. Well done. Again." - Puggy

"...Another unbelievable set man! Absolutely gorgeous... Really hard to pick a favorite here as all the chips are stunning... I was never a fan of Dark Green but you made it work man, that chips is fantastic... Congrats and enjoy the set to the fullest!!" - ChaosRock

"Whoa, that $20 is spectacular! When does the group buy begin?" - pltrgyst

"Glorious!" - Gear

 

[Mr Tree]

Havana Club
Owner: Luckydog
Inlay design: J5
Made by Classic Poker Chips on the "H" mold.

If ever you wanted to visit old Havana in the 1950's, this is your chance. Sip your banana daiquiri before rolling the dice with a stogey between your chompers then dance the night away to latin music. Just beware of the pillows....

Kidding aside, Kevin DeTrude (luckydog) has recreated an art deco masterpiece to capture the post war care-free era before the rise of Castro in 1950's Cuba. Paying special homage to his great aunt, the gambling lady herself - Elaine Townsend, for at least the third time, Kevin has put together a simple inlay reminiscent of the Flamingo with simple art deco inspired design. Edge spot and colors stay true to the 1950s and "H" mold is a perfect choice for his chips carrying the name that could describe either one of two casinos that Elaine owned.

Simple, elegant, and grand.

Note the alternate $20...

...and the alternate 25c.

 

[Mr Tree]

Broken Bell cash set

Owner: Tommy
Artist: P5woody / John Faulhaber (J5)
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: Horse Head Right (HHR)

This set has obvious historical and patriotic overtones based on Philadelphia where Tommy was born and raised. Specifically The Liberty Bell serves as the centerpiece of the inlay. Tommy's grandfather and father worked for the construction company that built the old Independence Visitor Center and bell tower for the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration. It was intended for the Liberty Bell to be housed in this tower, although that never came to be. The set features weathered inlays to give an antique feel with text and denominations that mimic those found on US coins.

Set breakdown:

200 x 5c
300 x 25c
400 x $1
500 x $5
180 x $20
20 x $100

Initial pr0n posted on February 5, 2016.

 

[Mr Tree]

Red Lotus Hotel, Casino & Spa tournament set

Owner: JJ83
Artist: JJ83 / machinelf
Manufacturer: BCC
Mold: Heavyweight Flame mold with 1" inlays

There is not much on file as to the backstory of this set other than a single statement in JJ's pr0n thread on Chiptalk..."I prefer the inlay to have a ‘connection’ to the mold if possible". And that it does. The lotus image plays off the flame mold perfectly and ties the overall design together.

The chips were delivered on 05/13/09.

Denominations (with quantities):

(160) T25 - W. Day Green 3U with Forest Green & Light Pink
(200) T100 - Chocolate 4A18 with Mustard & Sherbert Green
(120) T500 - Laker Purple 6A18 with Sky Blue & Hot Pink
(120) T1000 - Canary Yellow 4T18 with Laker Purple & Canary Yellow & Mauve
(50) T5000 - White 3D14 with Royal Red & Coral

Quotes from the community:

"Beautiful chips! It looks like BCC is making some sweet chips again..." - BigBrando

"WOW! The $25 is stunning, the $100 magnificent, the $500 is nice (it's actually better than that, but compared to the others, "nice" seemed to fit), the $1000 is gorgeous, and the $5000 is breathtakingly beautiful!!!! The inlays are sublime and the dealer button is like butta! But I have to say the edge spots on the $25 blow my mind...oh yeah, and the $5000...and the $100 and the $1000...Did I mention that I liked the inlay?? Great set sir! Congrats" - whippoker

"Amazing set! The $5K is my absolute favorite, but they're all fabulous. Congrats!" - abby99

"All of them are winners, you had a great design and outstanding color selections...and props to BCC for another great job, nice to see where they're going these days. I like the yellow 1000 best, but that 5K is a real beauty too. Congrats on a terrific set!" - byline9

"Nice set, Congrats! The choco $100 is my favorite, then the $1000 with the split spots. I've always been a sucker for split edgespots." - pokerplayingpisces

"Nice hand, Sir. I would be proud to own this set. Very classy!" - alpine0000

 

[Mr Tree]

Knollwoods Poker Room A Mold Cash Set

Owner: 72o
Artists: Illustrations - 72o, Graphic Design - J5
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: A Mold

Knollwoods Poker Room exists at the end of Knollwood Ave. on the top of a lonely hill bat the residence of Alan Crowell (72o). He is a gifted illustrator who developed his images and font while he unveiled his plan and set to the community. The colors used for the inlay work very well together with the chosen colors and spots. Here are some of the design notes:

• All different spot patterns and spot sizes
• No repeating colors
• Limited fluorescent-type (bright dayglow) colors
• Rustic look
• Weathered inlay
• Muted but contrasting earthy colors
• Cigar lounge / comfy feel
• Guys who drive trucks and drink beer
• Jeans, t-shirt and boots atmosphere
• Illustrative inlay look
• 7/8" inlay size - didn't want the edgespots to touch the inlay

Denominations:

2500+ chips

400 - $.25 – Pink 2A12 Charcoal/Gray
1000 - $1 – Blue 3TA316 Lt. Blue/Orange/DG Arc Yellow
800 - $5 – Canary 6DSA18 Red/Lt. Chocolate
200 - $25 – Light Green 414418 Maroon/White
100 - $100 – Black 8D18 DG Peach/Retro Lavender


Quotes from the community:

“WOW!!! I cant pick my favorite chip. First it was the quarter then the $5 and now the $1 is looking the best. Awesome set!! – AK Chip

"So stellar. I can't stop looking at the 1, now the 5, the 20, back to the 5 and the 1. Oh crap the 100. These are so good!´- bivey

"I think these also look incredible in racks and stacks, and don't understand why nobody has said so” Mental Nomad

“Definitely one of the best CPC sets released recently, inlay, in particular, is awesome. – Don Clay

“I really think you've got something special with your inlay. I'll say it here if it hasn't been said yet. I predict this will be a HOF nominee. This is another example of someone else's custom set that I would buy for myself. It is that good.”

slisk250

 

[Mr Tree]

The Capital Room

Originator: joshuadalton
Artist: machinelf
Manufacturer: BCC, 2009
Mold: Medium Greek Key (MGK)

Story

joshuadalton grew up in DC and The Capital Room design is a nod to his roots. Unfortunately most of the details on the history of this set have been lost as there is not much documentation on Big Blue.

Design

machinelf's design is a classic. Pure class and a great use of space. It's really nicely balanced, with a lovely, classy look, and cool color matching on the text.

Mold

The Capital Room is one of the few sets that uses the Medium Greek Key (MGK) mold. A really fantastic design and usually the envy of the BCC house Flame and Sun molds.

Order breakdown

???? - .5
1050 - .25
1395 - $1
1465 - $5
1140 - $25
760 - $100
???? - $500

The production numbers were split between
jadillon, JM, MultiMike and shaboo originally, with around half the chips going to joshuadalton

Quotes from the community:

"Best customs evar. Inlay, spots, colors, mold...perfectly cohesive design. A classic" - @tastic

"Amazing chips" - @abby99

"Awesome" - @Felix

 

[Mr Tree]

Pillage and Plunder CSQ cash set

Owner: Ronoh
Artist: J5
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: Circle Square

Pillage and Plunder is the ultimate themed pirate set. From the Buccaneer and Blood in the Water to Gold Coins and Mutiny, all I can say is "Hoist the Colors", bitches :What is amazing about this set is that he keeps tinkering with it and making it better. Not satisfied with the $500 and $1000, he retired them and added the Cavalier and the Sunset. And what pirate theme would be complete without Pieces of Eight. Having played many hours of poker with Fink, I can honestly say he takes his pirate slogan to heart - "Take what you can, give nothing back."

Denominations:

.25 - The Buccaneer - 1/4PIE - charcoal & dayglo tiger
.50 - No Quarter - 1/4PIE3C - red base with white & black
$1 - Blood in the Water - 412 - dayglo peacock base with maroon
$5 - Gold Coin - 4V12 - butterscotch base with dayglo peach & dayglo saturn
$8 - Pieces of Eight - 3V123DS18 - charcoal base with black & gray
$20 - Mutiny - 8D18 - black base with dayglo tiger & dayglo green
$100 - Hoist the Colors - 8O14 - white with red, light chocolate, orange, yellow, green, blue, blurple, & lavender
$500 - Unnamed (retired) - 6DSA18 - mandarin red base with pink & dayglo pink
$500 - Cavalier - 3V123DS18 - dark blue base with red & yellow
$1000 - Chaos (retired) - 1/4PIE3C4Q12 - purple, lavender, retro lavender, dayglo green, dayglo pink, dayglo arc yellow, & dayglo peacock
$1000 - Sunset - 1/2PIE2A12 - blue & orange base with dayglo tiger & imperial blue

Quotes from the community:

"One of my very favorite custom sets, and it keeps getting better." - upNdown

"As great as these chips are, they are even better in person." - abby99

"This is the best chipset I have ever seen. Totally amazing chips and theme." - Scott Andrews"

"Of course the whole set is great, but that new $1000 has to be *the* best $1000 ever." - pltrgyst

"This set looks incredible.. Love everything about them." - MatB

"FOOKING STUNNING" - spikeithard

 

[Mr Tree]

Paymaster GOCC Ceramic Cash Set

Owner: Mr Tree
Design by J5
Car Art: Ian Greathead
Manufacturer: Game on Chip Company

Paymaster is the ultimate tribute set that does double duty. First is the obvious retro artwork that captures a special time for any motor racing fan. The second but more meaningful tribute is to honor Mr. Tree’s father who was a very successful NHRA driver in the 1960’s. This set highlights Buddy Jones’ 1964 Plymouth Belvedere. Ceramics were essential to fully capture the art of Ian Greathead and the production by GOCC is spectacular. Everything about this set is perfection including the custom colors!

Chip totals
.25 - 240
.50 - 160
$1 - 600
$5 - 900
$25 - 200
$100 - 100

Colors
.25 - custom aqua base. Spots salmon and red orange
.50 - custom hot pink. Spots yellow and true green.
$1 - white base. Spots gray and blue.
$5 - warm red base. Spots black and yellow
$25 - dark green base. Spots grape and hot pink (Standard)
$100 - black base. Spots custom aqua and orange.

Dealer button - custom off white base

Quotes from the community:

“So seeck, these chipes. Highest art fee in chipping history = money well spent!” - Ben

“An absolute champion effort mate, your dad would be proud. The artwork, the chip production, and the concept have come together brilliantly.” – Phantom

“Congrats on another winning set, Tom, they turned out great. I really liked the edge spot repeated on the face in a non-linear fashion, it ties it together nicely. The set screams speed and power, and good photo production in the pr0n shots. Well done sir, well done!” – BiGGyT

“This is a fabulous set. Considering the history and racing connection, I can say that it is the only current custom ceramic chip set on the planet that I want to play with and own. I'm sure when you started opening those boxes, you had a chill in your spine that was something special. HOF worthy for sure. Congrats!” – slisk250

“I cannot think of a single chip set/design/theme/execution that has more 'cool' factor than these. Takes me back to an earlier, simpler time as a youth. Congrats, Tom -- I suspect your family will cherish and enjoy these for generations as a reminder of both you and your father. The whole thing is just awesome beyond words.” - BGinGA

 

[Mr Tree]

Bubbs' Poker Den B-Diamond cash set

Owner: ChaosRock
Artist: J5
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: B-Diamond

Bubbs Poker Den is a tribute to Paulo's beloved English Bulldog "Bubbles". She is such an integral part of poker night that he wanted to memorialize her on his chips. This cali color set features vibrant colors with an old school white inlay, black fonts, red denoms, and of course "Bubbs" .....

Denominations:

.25 - 2D14 - dayglo pink base with light blue & dayglo yellow
$1 - 3TA316 - retro blue base with dayglo green & bright white
$5 - 4DSA316 - dayglo yellow base with black & purple
$20 - 6D18 - black base with retro red & retro lavender
$100 - 8A14 - bright white base with dayglo tiger & imperial blue

Quotes from the community:

"Awesome!!! Very well done, love it!" - bentax1978

"That's one pr0n bomb ya just dropped!! Very nice set, congrats!" - Toby

"OMFG epic set. That $20 is unbelievable ... Hats off to you sir, another brilliant set." - stocky

"Outstanding on so many levels ... These are just fantastic - you've outdone yourself again!" - links_slayer

"Congrats on another amazing set! You raised the bar again!!" - PAZ

"Out-freaking-standing man ... Bubbles is awesome and this set is a very worthy tribute." - Ronoh

 

[Mr Tree]

Monopoly
Owner: AftertheFact

Some sets just dont need to be described. You see them once and it sticks in your mind forever, like the opening riff to "A Hard Day's Night", or the Montana to RIce Super Bowl pass.

The Monopoly set is the poker chip equivalent of this unforgettable greatness.

But it is more than the iconic trains ot the famous lines, and this is where the true art to the chips stand out...

• RR Crossing The 25 is one of the few chips to ever use the 414A edgespot - and pulls it off beautifully. How can you look at that and not think RR crossing? It is the introduction to the tracks and a wonderful chip set.
• The H-Mold + the Oversize Inlay Just walk down a railroad track. The railroad ties don't end at the rail, they overlap. Short protrusions reaching out making the whole more solid. In this case, the bottom of the H reaches from the clay, beyond the solid rail and into the inlay. Not only brilliant, but the first ever ASM/CPC shaped inlay (of a sort).
• Plaques Plaques rarely get any street cred on the forums, but if Parker Brothers (now Hasbro) had put a 5000 bill in the game, it would be these plaques. Colored to look like the 50 from the board game, the 5000 plaque tops off a tournament set in an oversized and stylish capstone to this timeless set.

 

[Mr Tree]

Steel City Club
Owner: gcrissman
Artist: roxtarbaer
Manufacturer: BCC, 2009
Flame mold

The headlines…

• Colors, include Blaze Orange, Blurple, and Horizon Blue
• Edgespots include 1-1, 3 moon, 3T18, 614, 414818 and 4T18
• Strong, bold logo design - Like the Steel City
• Forged in the Flame mold
• Design celebrates Pittsburgh, the "Steel City", and creator's close family ties to the steel industry
• Wonderful testament to what BCC could produce

The Steel City Club themes

Industrial logo design celebrates gcrissman's family's roots in Pittsburgh (aka the "Steel City") and the steel trade.

The inlay is simple, bold, relevant, personal and not overwrought, with a uniform look and feel across the set.

The steel theme works nicely with the flame mold, reflecting the heat of the forge.

The set-topping T5000 looks like hot, hammer-forged blue steel.

Everything is connected to the theme. Rare is the set that connects colors, mold, inlay, and colors into a single, unified theme.

Set includes both primary and secondary chips.

 

[Mr Tree]

Aurora Club cash set

Owner: AK Chip
Artist: Steve Silver (Quicksilver-75)
Manufacturer: CPC
Mold: A-mold

AK Chip (Pat) is the most involved and well-known chipper from the great state of Alaska. His love of his home state inspired Pat to design a custom set around it. He gave his designer, Steve, some initial direction centered around an Aurora theme and Steve ran with it from there. The Auroras, or Polar Lights, is a natural light display in the Earth's sky over the polar regions like Alaska. The particles in the atmosphere react to each other in such a way that they emit lights of varying color and complexity. Pat and Steve took this phenomenon and applied it to each distinct chip inlay by color matching it to the chip's base color and spots making a truly unique but cohesive set.

The initial order was placed in November 2015 with an add-on in 2017. Initial pr0n posted in March 2016.

Denominations (with total quantities):

(200) .25's - 2DS18 - Retro Blue base with DG Peacock spots
(1000) $1's - 3DSA18 - White base with Grey and Charcoal spots
(600) $5's - 4DSA18 - Red base with DG Yellow and DG Peach spots
(100) $25's - 3143DS18 - Retro Green base with Light Green and Bright White spots
(100) $100's - 414418 - Black base with DG Pink and Purple spots

Quotes from the community:

"Gorgeous chips. Love the inlay, spots and colors. I also love the name as I live in an Aurora (different state). Home run set!" - Payback

"Beautiful set. Great spot progression and colors! Love the inlay with color matching and perfect name. Well done sir" - ParrotheadMZ

"Well done, mate! Love them quarters, and that hundo is baller! Simple, effective, consistent spot progression throughout, good colors, great inlay. Really nice set. You've gotta be pleased! - Psypher1000

"Holy crap, the color matching on the inlays is astounding. Absolutely brilliant set. This is pop art of museum quality. Talented minds and hands coming together: the material world is a wonderful place." - dickzapper

"Ohh wow, these are amazing, love the $100s!" - MillyS

 

[Mr Tree]

Circus City House of Cards

Owner - Lucky Dog
Artist - J5
Manufacturer - JimB at ASM (2010)
Elephant & Crown mold

Circus City House of Cards was commissioned by Lucky Dog as a tribute to his father who was a clown in the Shrine Circus for many years. The $1 hobo clown represents his father. Back in 2010, ASM in conjunction with Marion and Company offered a limited production run on the Elephant & Crown mold. Together with JimB and J5, Lucky Dog designed a classic quarter pie cash and tourney set that is the ultimate combination of theme and mold. Each chip is half weighted color and half unweighted color. The bright and playful colors in conjunction with the variety of facial expressions on the clown inlays are definitely reminiscent of the big top. This unique set deserves to be the first representative of the E&C mold inducted into the PCF Hall of Fame.

Quotes from the community:

"How ridiculously sick and awesome!" - Courage

"I'm usually scared of clowns, but this is a very nice set. Congrats!" - dew4au

"One of the best looking customs sets I've seen." - hod

"Words are so inadequate: Perfect design for a truly awesome mold, and a wonderful tribute to your Dad. Instant classic, IMO. Congrats!" - abby99

"Amazing artwork, amazing color selection. Instant classic, you should be thrilled." - JM

"Nice work--they look great! Nice tribute to your father, too. Good luck with them! - toad94


Cash denominations:
.10 - Grey & Retro blue
.25 - Lavender & Dayglo green
1 - White & Dayglo orange
5 - Retro red & Imperial blue
20 - Plaques from HPC

Tournament denominations:
25 - Green & Dayglo yellow
100 - Black & Retro lavender
500 - Chocolate & Dayglo peach
1000 - Light blue & Retro green
5000 - Purple & Dayglo pink

 

[Mr Tree]

The Old Orchard Poker Room (cash set)
Designed and commissioned by ontheuptick
Inlay designed by machinelf
Produced by ASM in 2008

The Old Orchard is a classic set that was in many ways a trend setter. It took advantage of two then-new options from ASM: the Hourglass mold and the 3V spots. I believe this set was also one of the first (along with the Van Alstine Card Room) to use the 3A14 spot. The earth tones fit perfectly with the orchard theme.

Even more impressive than the colors, though, is the inlay. Machinelf did great sets for ontheuptick and all his designs were top notch, but these are on another level in my opinion. The color matching and fading are impeccable, which was not easy with ASM's sometimes volatile dye formulas. The set features one of my all time favorite chocolate chips and, fittingly, the red $5 is a standout in the orchard.

Order breakdown

10c ---- 152 Base = Imperial Blue; Pattern = 214, Edgespots = White
25c ---- 215 Base = Chocolate; Pattern = 2A12, Edgespots = DG Green, Lavender
$1 ---- 152 Base = White; Pattern = 3A14, Edgespots = Red, DG Peach, DG Yellow,
$5 ---- 110 Base = Mandarin Red; Pattern = 3U, Edgespots = DG Pink (large), Black (Small)
$20 ---- 27 Base = Yellow; Pattern = 6A14, Edgespot = DG Yellow, Chocolate

"Wow. Once of the nicest sets I've ever seen." @links_slayer

"It's like Machinelf found an old apple crate and pasted the logo directly on a chip and then tied it together with the coded gradient. Brilliant." @toad94

"I'm speechless" @AlbinoDragon

 

[Mr Tree]

Voting is open!

 

[Payback]

I'm getting a lot of broken links FYI, not sure if it's just me.

 

[Tommy]

We'll fix it. Give us a sec.

 

[arch3r]

I'm getting a lot of broken links FYI, not sure if it's just me.

Me too

 

[Mr Tree]

I'm getting a lot of broken links FYI, not sure if it's just me.

Uh oh, which ones? I see them all.

 

[Jambine]

Lots of images showing this

 

[Mr Tree]

Tommy is hard at work fixing. Apparently there was a problem with attached images since the thread was put together in a private forum.

 

[Tommy]

All images should be fixed now.

 

[Pete]

Congratulations to all of the very worthy nominees! All of these sets are beautifully designed and executed. Used all four of my votes but man, Bubb’s Poker Den ticks all the right checkboxes for me. (y) :thumbsup:

 

[Psypher1000]

Congrats to all the candidates, and nice job, committee! This year's lineup actually made me think for a bit.

 

[chicubs1988]

Vote cast...I needed 8 choices, it was tough narrowing it down.

 

[Blaster]

Votes cast, All are nominees great choices .

 

[slisk250]

I'm a big race fan and the Paymasters hit it out of the park in every way. I was very lucky to get a shot to play with them last year. G.O.A.T. ceramic set.

 

[ranger764]

Wow that was fun and tough. Was able to narrow from 14 to 7 and then was really tough to get from 7 to 4. Congrats to all the great sets, I’m glad I’ve got samples of several of these terrific sets.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

Just want to point out J5 had a hand in 8 of the 14 nominees. Maybe he should get elected in his own special "contributors" category like the NFL does.