Paulsons for noobs (1 Viewer)

[Randy]

I've got a couple of sets of China clays that I really like and I'm interested in expanding my poker chip collection. I was thinking about a small Paulson cash set but I've done a bit of reading and I don't know where to start. Well, I know to get samples.

I've seen threads of people trying to build sets of rare Paulsons and don't want to get into that game, although I don't want the home Paulsons either. What are the most common or most available casino Paulsons? Where do rookies like me usually start?

It seems like there could be problems whether I choose a cash or a tourney set. For cash sets where fracs are needed, does everyone just get roulettes? And I assume it's hard to get some of the higher value chips for tourney sets?

For the moment I'll try to get some samples to shuffle (even that looks harder than usual.) Any advice or resources would be appreciated!

Edit - sorry I just reread this and I know it looks like I can't find the search, but I have read a bit and it seems like I'm missing some assumed knowledge.

 

[Irish]

Welcome to PCF

You'll find that the most readily available casino Paulsons revolve around previous sales from the Chip Room. Off the top of my head, below are several sets available in the past few years (in no particular order):

Par-A-Dice
Casino Aztar
Grand Victoria
Garden City
President Casino on the Admiral (PCA)
Empress
Terrible’s
Oak Tree
Lucky Derby
Even Stevens

The sets above vary wildly in quantity and condition, ranging from mint to very worn. Prices also vary depending on condition and number of chips produced - so *usually* $5s & $25 are less expensive and easier to come by, whereas higher denoms are more expensive because they're typically in better condition and less of them were produced. $1s are sometimes tough to find because everyone uses $1s, and those with limit games need/hoard lots of them.

Several of the sets above included 50¢ fractionals, but I don't recall any having quarters. There are several ways around this - use roulettes, relabel a different chip, or use a non-denominated chips like starbursts. A couple of sets like PCAs had after-market hot-stamped chips made but those are going to really hard to find now with Paulson closing it's home market chips.

In addition to what's listed above, there are dozens of other casino sets out there from years past (Crystal Park, PNY, Casablanca, Vineyard, etc.) but those will likely come at a premium, either in price, availability or the breakdown you're looking for.

What's you're approximate budget? Some of the used casino paulsons are relatively cheap (as low as 25¢ a chip) but are pretty well used (smooth with rounded corners). Most anything in new to excellent condition, you're likely starting at $1/chip and going up from there. My recommendation would be to check the classifieds here and eBay, see if you can get some samples of chips in different conditions. Some will find they don't mind the used chips, others can't stand them.

Be warned - getting into casino Paulsons is a slippery and expensive slope

 

[Mental Nomad]

You can also consider using higher denoms for fracs.

I used to have a $1 NLHE ($.50/$1 blinds) game where we used the black $100 chips as our $.50 pieces. Since I had a lot of $1 and $5 chips, we rarely ever broke into the $25s at the table, and there was no danger of "real" black chips being needed in play. And we didn't need that many fracs in that game - the $.50 wasn't a betting denomination; it was just for the small blind. Although one guy became notorious for betting them. His poker nickname became, "two-fitty."

In retrospect, we could have used the $25s as quarters ($0.25), instead, and just used two or three black $100 chips when the bank got that heavy. Then we would have had a lot more frac to play with.

I've also thought about using $100 for dimes, and $500 for fifty-cent pieces.

Short form: if your game is small enough to need fracs, you can do with big denoms. If your game is big enough to need big denoms, you don't need fracs.

That having been said, this is all just to help you get started. Long-term, you absolutely need fracs and big denoms and at least two different cash sets as well as your tourney sets. And don't forget the plaques.

 

[iballman]

Welcome to PCF...being in a similar position a month ago and knowing a ton more now, I would recommend determining your level of OCD when it comes to all things chip related. There are a variety small details that you may consider in your choices. A few things for me were to identify the different molds, primaries vs secondaries, conditions I was ok with, mixing casinos, the prices you want to pay and what's available to purchase. Throw in your desired timeframes and how much work you want to do (cleaning/oiling chips and building/buying a set) and you'll be on your way. I personally enjoy the hunt and calculating the possibilities available and for some reason I enjoy cleaning my chips (by hand) even though after a couple thousand, I debate my enjoyment. BUT before you start, consider the route of custom chips or relabelling. I found it may appear expensive at first, but you will get what you want. If this is your hobby, you'll love this place.

 

[Randy]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Regarding budget, it's all relative. If I find something I really like and it's on the expensive side, then I'll have to hoard my disposable pennies for slightly longer. No big deal. I have sets that are playable so I'm in no rush. Price will be taken into account but nothing is really a dealbreaker if I'm super keen. Although I'm Australian so I will get totally reamed on postage and exchange rates. Above parity last year; 81c now. 25% random fluctuation tax. BYO lube.

I've thought about customs but I'm not ready for that yet, given that a) I only have two sets of China clays and b) I don't have a theme. I'm building my second table soon but I couldn't bring myself to go full custom cloth with a table that is going to have metal folding legs. When I move, the primary consideration will be "where's the cave?" and then I will build another table with awesome peds and custom cloth and things will degenerate from there. So I'm keeping things generic for the time being.

Definitely will need fracs. My home games are just social and we play a tourney then 25/50 or 50/1.00 cash game, depending on who stays back. Would be easy enough to keep the $25s out of play and use them as fracs. Cheers Nomad. Not sure if I'm allowed to say this but I'm not really sold on plaques or cash bundles or anything other than chips. (Poor, naive young Randy...) That may change because I know I'll eventually get some as samples at least.

I don't mind hunting, cleaning, mixing and building sets. It will be all part of the fun! I don't want to buy someone else's baby... I want to harvest it for parts to build my own baby! OK that wasn't where I was going with the baby analogy but what's done is done.

It seems like you have to hunt around a bit for Paulsons regardless. In that case I'm gonna start looking at pictures more closely and wait until I find some I want, then I'll check what kind of pain I'm in for, trying to collect them. If it's real pain then I might start on my second favourite set instead... maybe.

Thanks again gentlemen! Now that I've got some proper novice advice, I'm much more comfortable wading into these other threads for a look around. First things first: minty, minty samples!

 

[ssanel54]

consider changing your cash game to 50/50 and you will have many more options in the frac department.

 

[brains613]

consider changing your cash game to 50/50 and you will have many more options in the frac department.

This is EXACTLY what I've done. Reduces the need for an additional chip. (blasphemy, I know.)

 

[xdan]

the joys of being in Australia.. where abouts are you mate?

I got a good deal on some casino aztar paulsons from the chip room.. cost under $300 shipped to AUS for 600 chips..

 

[Mango]

If you want to check out some paulsons you might find a local forum member and check their chips.

Where 7n oz are you?

 

[Randy]

the joys of being in Australia.. where abouts are you mate?

I got a good deal on some casino aztar paulsons from the chip room.. cost under $300 shipped to AUS for 600 chips..

Wow that's cheap! Based on earlier advice I assume they'd be a bit worn and need a bath, but even still I'd be all up in that.

These Chip Room deals are big sales they have when they shut down a casino or something, right? Do they always sell out quickly?

If you want to check out some paulsons you might find a local forum member and check their chips.

Where 7n oz are you?

I'm in Brisbane but I'd feel a bit weird rocking up to someone's place to oogle their chips. Happy enough to buy samples. I have a shuffle stack on my desk at work and I would love to sub in some Paulsons.

I was just looking at some pr0n (splashed pot) and the Terrible's stood out a bit. I might actually go through the list that Irish gave me now and have a proper look at each of them. Mmmmm...

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consider changing your cash game to 50/50 and you will have many more options in the frac department.

Yeah that would work. I assume there are some genuine denomed 50c chips?

 

[Mango]

I'm in Brisbane but I'd feel a bit weird rocking up to someone's place to oogle their chips.

No stranger than alot of other hobbies plus some people wont sell samples as some chips are hard to get

pity i just left brisbane 2 weeks ago, the only other chipper in Brisbane has fallen off the radar after having child no 2.

 

[Randy]

Yeah true. Really, if there was a chip hoarder that lived close I'd be mad not to check out their collection.

For samples I just want anything, doesn't have to be specifically the one I'm looking for, I just want some Paulsons to have a close look at and shuffle and whatnot. TBH I'd buy a set right now without samples based on reputation alone.

I saw a few Queenslanders on CT. Remember thinking one of them was at Redcliffe or the Redlands or something... from a pic with what looked like Moreton Bay in the background. Not sure if that was you or the other guy. Anyway, it's just me repping Brisbane now is it? That's a sad sight. Better get my chip degen on, quick smart.

 

[Mango]

Yeah that was me at redcliffe.

 

[goldmac]

Nothing beats the texture and chalkiness of a paulson casino chip

 

[Chicken Rob]

Nothing beats the texture and chalkiness of a paulson casino chip

Except the leadfilled goodness of a TRK.

 

[Strike1st]

Is the chip room still selling aztars? His website is out of date I believe.