Poker Chip Advice for Newbie (1 Viewer)

myj

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Hi Everyone!
I’m new to the forum and the world of poker chips!

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on my first set of poker chips. I’m currently in the mindset of getting a set of metal slug abs chips. I think the smell from China clays would annoy me too much, and ceramics are a bit out of my price range.
Right now, I’m leaning towards getting a set of The Mint by Claysmith. They seem to have solid quality control/flatness for an introduction set that’s readily available reasonably priced.

Do you think The Mint is a good start? Do you recommend another set of metal slug abs chips that you think is better, or should I just pay the extra for a set of ceramics (good chance I do that in the future anyways)?
If I go for ceramics, I’m thinking either the Valentino High Roller of the Ravenor Classics.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Glad to be a part of the poker chip world now!
 
Welcome! I'm also relatively new around here. I'm sure others will jump in and share from their experience too. I found it super helpful to order some sample sets to actually feel them in hand and it does make a difference. There were some I was leaning toward and having in hand changed my decision. Most of the online chip vendors have sample sets for sale and they ship quick.

I've also been surprised by the classifieds section here on the forum. I've been able to piece together a nice start to my chip collection here and have seen several listings for the entry level chip sets (in addition to the many postings of high end grail chips that are way out of my price range lol)
 
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Welcome to the forum!

I like the look of some of the Claysmith sets, including the Mint (triangle and stick spots) and the Bluff Canyon (12 stripe spots), but I've found them to be very hard and slippery, and sometimes they have rough flashing around the edge. Skip the Showdown/Poker Knights sets, as the colors are terribly bland and the edges are very rough, IME. (The Showdowns were my first "nice" set, and I was horribly disappointed.)

So far, my favorite cheap plastic chips are the Monaco Casinos, Outlaws, or Lucky Horseshoe from discountpokershop.com. They're made of a softer, less slippery plastic, so they stack better. Of course, the quality of these Chinese products are subject to change, so get samples, YMMV, etc.

However, your best value is to find some cards molds in the classifieds at a good price. It may come down to an extra $100 or so over a set ABS plastics, but IMO it would be worth it. Or better yet, get a set of custom or semi-custom cards molds directly from the manufacturer.

Good luck in your search!
 
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My first set was the Desert Heat (https://www.thepokerstore.com/colle...k-claysmith-desert-heat-13-5-gram-poker-chips) which I like a lot.

I got a cash game set for myself/friends and they all loved them. My group has only ever played with dice chips at home games so the $150 was well spent.

Now I'm very seriously considering a set of DDLMs (https://brpropoker.com/collections/dia-de-los-muertos) Because of how amazing they feel in-hand compared to the Claysmiths... like shuffling them is 10x easier/more satisfying. Claysmith is a great place to start but I'd recommend buying a sample set of Ceramics before you do so because for a little more money you might love the feel 10x more. I'm already contemplating getting rid of mine less than one year later.

However, I'm waiting on a set of 'big boy' chips to see if I want to skip a level and just get into the high-tier chips that you'll see on this forum. TBD.
 
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Hi Everyone!
I’m new to the forum and the world of poker chips!

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on my first set of poker chips. I’m currently in the mindset of getting a set of metal slug abs chips. I think the smell from China clays would annoy me too much, and ceramics are a bit out of my price range.
Right now, I’m leaning towards getting a set of The Mint by Claysmith. They seem to have solid quality control/flatness for an introduction set that’s readily available reasonably priced.

Do you think The Mint is a good start? Do you recommend another set of metal slug abs chips that you think is better, or should I just pay the extra for a set of ceramics (good chance I do that in the future anyways)?
If I go for ceramics, I’m thinking either the Valentino High Roller of the Ravenor Classics.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Glad to be a part of the poker chip world now!
Get samples. I believe there is a sticky thread for new members to get samples. As far as slugged chips, my favorite are the "smooth" Monte Carlos. If doing tournament denoms, I would swap out for the white 500 vs the dark purple.
 
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Welcome to the forum! I

like the look of some of the Claysmith sets, including the Mint (triangle and stick spots) and the Bluff Canyon (12 stripe spots), but I've found them to be very hard and slippery, and sometimes they have rough flashing around the edge. Skip the Showdown/Poker Knights sets, as the colors are terribly bland and the edges are very rough, IME. (The Showdowns were my first "nice" set, and I was horribly disappointed.)

So far, my favorite cheap plastic chips are the Monaco Casinos, Outlaws, or Lucky Horseshoe from discountpokershop.com. They're made of a softer, less slippery plastic, so they stack better. Of course, the quality of these Chinese products are subject to change, so get samples, YMMV, etc.

However, your best value is to find some cards molds in the classifieds at a good price. It may come down to an extra $100 or so over a set ABS plastics, but IMO it would be worth it. Or better yet, get a set of custom or semi-custom cards molds directly from the manufacturer.

Good luck in your search!
Thanks! I actually am starting to lean more towards skipping the abs sets and going straight to ceramics.
About the card molds you recommended, are card molds exclusively ceramic chips? I’ve seen a few card molds online, and they’re all ceramic, so I just wanted to make sure.

Another question, how do you go about getting a set of custom/semi-custom card molds from the manufacturer?
 
Welcome aboard. Start HERE

Best advice is to get samples. Skip the middle sets and go with what you ultimately want although you may never get there cause the next best thing is just around the corner.
 
Thanks! I actually am starting to lean more towards skipping the abs sets and going straight to ceramics.
About the card molds you recommended, are card molds exclusively ceramic chips? I’ve seen a few card molds online, and they’re all ceramic, so I just wanted to make sure.

Another question, how do you go about getting a set of custom/semi-custom card molds from the manufacturer?
If you do ceramics (Which Cards Mold Are) go with @BR Pro Poker or @ABC Gifts and Awards these are better IMO and are easier to add on to later. They offer semi and fully custom. They are more expensive than cards mold, but are better quality. Their turnaround time is around a month vs six to eight.

Do not commit to anything though before getting samples. Keep in mind too that your players aren't likely to know the difference, or care, of a 30cent chip vs a $5 chip. Get what you like.
 
Thanks! I actually am starting to lean more towards skipping the abs sets and going straight to ceramics.
About the card molds you recommended, are card molds exclusively ceramic chips? I’ve seen a few card molds online, and they’re all ceramic, so I just wanted to make sure.

Another question, how do you go about getting a set of custom/semi-custom card molds from the manufacturer?
Yes, all the cards molds are ceramics. The impressed mold on the chips favor designs that replicate actual clay chips, which have led to some very fun designs.

I agree with @PARADOX that chips from @BR Pro Poker (or @SUN-FLY Poker Chips, for that matter) are higher quality, the cards molds are very popular for a reason. Again, get some samples.

@SUN-FLY Poker Chips also sells a cards mold ceramic chip, as well a diamond mold. They will stack like bricks, with no spinners, whereas the inexpensive ones that are so popular are known to have a fair number of spinners.
 
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I was in your situation when I first started. Got an absolute s**t ton of Bluff Canyon chips. What a waste of money that turned out to be. My advise is continue saving your money. Ceramics may be more money, but they are worth every penny. Slugged chips are only worth their slugs weight in scrap.
 
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@myj

You could always build a set of real paulson chips straight out of a Vegas Casino. Somewhere like aria or Caesars palace. Check out my vendor page for some inspiration.

Good luck with the hunt.
 
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