One big set or multiple small? (2 Viewers)

[Marius L]

Theoretical discussion incoming because obvious chipper answer is multiple big sets... However for the sake of discussion, let's say you have $3000 to spend (or any limited amount really); do you prefer to spend it all on one big set 1000-1500 chips, or do you spread it between 2 or 3 different sets of 400-600 chips to have some variety?

I'm mostly curious about sets designed for the same format. Because obviously we need to have at minimum both a dedicated set for tourneys and a dedicated set for cash games (and a limit set if you play that with some frequency). So when you vote here, asume you already have a functional tourney set, and now you want to decide if you want one giant cash set, or a couple different smaller cash sets.

After a couple years on PCF I know many people enjoy having lots of chips in play in a cash game. 200/300/600/200/100 or some other $5 heavy breakdown is common. I like the idea of a lot of chips, but from my own experience it is far from needed, and a set of 100/200/200/80/20 is more than enough for most people. You can probably get by easily with even less as well. So my question is: Do you prefer to have more chips on the table, or do you appreciate the variety more, in being able to mix up which set to use from game to game? Like having one THC, one BCC and one RHC set.

The background for me wanting to hear your toughts on this is that I have just purchased 1700 Indiana Grands, and when I get them in hand the plan was to decide if I keep them or my PNY cash set. I already have another cash set as well, and dont think I can afford keeping 3. But now I've started getting sellers remorse for the PNYs (eventhough they are far from sold, lol), and was thinking maybe I can in fact sell a few racks of both sets and still keep a smaller playable set of both... . Also if you will, what size does a cash set have to be for you to consider it playable (asuming ideal breakdown). 300 chips enough? 400? 500? 600?

 

[Mandos]

How many people do you host for? I would never want to run multiple cash tables so for me I can certainly make do with 500-600 chips per set

 

[mipevi]

I’m fine with having small sets, no need to compensate for anything…

 

[LeGold]

Variation is cool. I'd keep a smaller set (even just for heads-up) instead of selling whole of it.

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

Imho, it depends on the size of your game.
Let's say you can only run a one table game (due to your logistics - space in your house, ...), then why - rationally speaking - bother with a big set that can accommodate 3 tables ? I'd prefer to have 3 x single table sets that I can put in rotation.

 

[LeLe]

I mostly go for smaller set since I often provide the chip set for other host.

500-600 is my ideal size for each set and adding 200 more if I want to cover one more stake

So 500-600 if only covering 25c/50c set and 700-800 if covering 25c/50c and $1/$2 stake

 

[PocketAces]

Voted for one big set just because I like the idea of being able to cover all stakes and multiple tables (even if unlikely ever used that way). Also looks cool

The more reasonable answer is two sets of 800 chips (100/200/300/160/40) which should provide a good balance between flexibility around most stakes and doesn’t restrict you to pick one design

 

[LeGold]

The more reasonable answer is ...

Hey... take your reasonable away to where it might belong!

 

[Eriks]

I have two sets that are 700 or slightly more and two that are 900 and 1000 chips respectively. They all cover the same games but sometimes it’s fun with a little more chips on the table. Don’t know about 1700 though. Unless it’s for running more than one table, I’d trim that down and keep the PNYs

 

[Mortalpawn]

I think a smaller set (or sets) are fine for cash games, and then a larger set (or sets) for tournaments. If you really have too many people for the cash set you can always use the tourney set for one game. Most cash games are one table in my experience.

if building an expensive or custom set it is worth calculating the actual buy-ins and re-buys you plan to use and buy for the number of players you want. Then you will know the totals you really need for 8, 10, 16, 32 players and size accordingly.

Be realistic too - you probably don’t need a 32 player, 2000 piece set if most games are a single table.

 

[davislane]

why isnt multiple big sets an option?

 

[chipinla]

Easy. Multiple smaller sets.

 

[FestiveKnight]

I voted multiple small sets and that’s what I’m currently pursuing.

that’s for collection satisfaction reasons because I like variety and as you noted, that can expensive.

I agree with what @LeGold said about heads-up. That’s what part of my current strategy is — designing a little heads up set just to get to play around with the process and see an idea come to life.

The first major thing I did in the hobby is buy @ImCrossland’s large IOC set and then get a bunch of addons but once I had it I realized I had priced myself into a corner of (reasonably) only having the one set. Now I’m building smaller things and it’s fun having multiple projects at once.

Right now if I suddenly felt myself with the need to have a very large cash set for some back up need (meaning irregularly hosting 16+) I think I’d probably get a card molds set just to not lock up that much cash in an unused set.

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Sooooooooo, I voted before reading.

If it was a tourney set, I would say one big one. Cash sets can be much smaller and still be functional. Although that doesn’t stop me from buying huge cash sets either.

For reference, my group has never played a cash game and I still own more cash sets than tournament sets.

If you don’t feel like you can keep both, scale both back and bask in the diverse chippies!!

 

[nezara]

I have a 2 table tournament set and a 2 table cash set. I'm considering keeping the tournament set 2 tables but switching to 2x 1 table cash sets for extra variety

 

[Josh Kifer]

Yes

 

[grantc54]

Both. I have big sets to host multi-table events, I have medium sets for 2 tables, and smaller sets for one table. I have big cash sets for limit games, medium sets for full table cash games, and small sets for post tournament ad hoc smaller cash games.

 

[allforcharity]

Most people don't need a "big" cash set unless they need to cover a large range of stakes. I would vote for 1 small cash set and 1 big tourney set, minimum. Multiply by as much as you want to get sets in rotation.

 

[LeLe]

Multi Sets are also more justifiable to your missy if the set are not all in huge quantities

The question is how many set are justifiable for rotation?

 

[TheBigTater]

My standard cash set is .25/$1/$5/($20or$25)/$100 - 100/200/400/80/20 = 800 is the perfect number to cover the range of stake I play.

If I need more bank for higher stakes I'll add 200 more chips: 100/200/500/160/40 = 1000 (and maybe a few 500's just for the ridiculous deep game.

But I do have sets that are 100/200/200/80/20 = 600. And them i have some bigger sets with way more chips (over 1000) than ever get put in play because I'm a "chip collector". And then you have limit sets which can be a different animal......

As for how many sets............ as many as you "want". If you going by "need" you only need 1 cash set to cover the stake you play & a tournament set. How boring to play with the same set over and over.......

 

[chipinla]

Yes

 

[bigblind]

multiple large sets

 

[Okku]

Originally I voted for one big set. I did that because it would be fun to have a "grail" set if you'd like to have a set that you've been chasing for years and years. For me that would be some sort of old TRK set with insane inlays, edge spots, colors and everything.

Thinking about it now it would be fun to have different sets. You can keep it fun with a new set of colors, denoms and it would be fun and fresh each time is a little different. That's what I currently have. A TRK set, fun illegal casino set, RHC set, possible tourney set and whatever else I could come up with. There are some sets that may have taken longer to make and sets that I've acquired in one purchase. Some being around 300 chips and one going up to 1000 chips. It would depend on the situation (one table or two tables) and so on of which set would be in use.

In the future would I like to downsize to a grail set? Possibly, yes. At this point I have no idea what that would cost, if it would be possible to get the chips I'd like to have from others and a whole bunch of other questions.

I think it depends on the person and what the use case for said sets is. I like how @PocketAces mentioned above that he made a big set to "cover all stakes and multiple tables." I like how @LeGold said, "I'd keep a smaller set (even just for heads-up) instead of selling whole of it." I've wanted to make a heads up set which would be very fun. I find inspiration from everyone on here and in some ways it's good and others bad

 

[PlaidDragon]

How many people do you host for? I would never want to run multiple cash tables so for me I can certainly make do with 500-600 chips per set

I’m in the multiple sets camp.

At the start of my chipping journey I thought the “one set to rule them all” mindset was the right way to go; however, I discovered several flaws with that approach.

Ultimately, I ended up intending my sets to fill specific roles akin to these at a minimum:

- cash
- tourney
- travel cash
- travel tourney
- heads up cash (travel)

The travel distinction being necessary to minimize risk of damage or loss that may occur in transit. Such sets would be low in cost and/or easy to replace.

 

[JScott]

multiple for sure. We run pretty low stakes so they not only work better, I like having variety. Apologies for the shit photo

 

[DontKnowWhen]

Yes

Lol. Agreed.

I have a large cash set of cheaper chips that can cover $.05/.10 to $2/5 (maybe even 5/10 but tbh I've never spread that in a home game). I also use this as a travel set by taking the 600 or so I need with me for whatever game I'm going to. Less stress about lost or damaged chips this way as these ones can be replaced.

Also, some smaller cash sets with more expensive or harder to acquire chips where putting a larger set together especially with micro fracs is next to impossible.

And, of course, the obligatory 1 and 2 table tourney sets.

 

[chipinla]

I love diversity in my sets. I get that everyone’s games are different but I never host more than 8 people so my cash sets are 500, 500, 600 with a 700, 800, and 1000 on the way though.
Also have two tournament sets at 500 each.
I use $50 and $100 plaques from my heads-up set for coloring up whenever needed (which is rare) since I only run .25/.50
The 1000 chip cards mold set that I have coming would work for $1/$2 as well. The only reason I ordered that many is because the cost of cards mold chips is so cheap. All of these sets are perfectly fine for my game and I love having options of what to use.

 

[shorticus]

I like multiple small sets personally, and I when I ask myself why, I have a few reasons.

• Security - in case your chips start to come up missing, you can remove a set from play until said chips are located (I know this is highly unlikely but I think it's a fair concern).
• Look - For me personally, sometimes I want a classy look at the table on a given day, some times I'm feeling silly and just want to play fun. I like the idea of mixing it up. One night might be Aransas Queens, next night might be Scrub Donkeys
• Collecting - As a self-proclaimed collector, I couldn't imagine just building one ginormous set and having that set in play every single time.

 

[Meathooke]

Personally, I definitely prefer multiple small(er) sets... but obviously it will depend on both the size and stakes of your game. I like having the ability to rotate sets on different nights.

I have a pretty small playing game, usually just 6-7 players. Blinds of .25/.50 for NLH and only a few who will ever consider getting in for $200-$300 in a night. Generally between 450-500 chip sets are plenty. My main necessity/requirement is: 100x25¢ and 200x$1s. I can make due with 160-200x$5s and 20-40x$25s (at this point, I've never had more than 10x$25s on the table at once... and I can pretty much guarantee I'll NEVER get a $100 out.)
That said, it is nice to have at least one larger set in case I know I'll have a full table that could have more action, and/or our game/stakes ever go bigger.

Oh, and don't forget the one limit set and one tourney set as well.... Even if I'm lucky to get either of them out only once per year :/

 

[louBdub]

Micro 5c/10c: Custom label CPC solids

Small Cash 25c/50c: Majestic

Big Cash 1/2: Majestic

Tournament: Aria 43 Tina CM

I’m currently trying to justify a custom CPC set, and selling my MS bundle…. But I think multiple sets, for different games just seems to fit the bill perfectly.