Poker chip size variance? (1 Viewer)

[Sparkynutz]

Does anyone have or know of a database for various poker chip dimensions besides the pcf recource from 2015 only listing nominal diameters?

Hoping to get much closer accuracy than the generic nominal given everywhere.

I know poker chip storage is very frustrating with stacks being overly sloppy in mass produced racks.

I currently have a very limited compared to most on here supply of chips to measure for ideal storage dimension sizes.

Worst case scenario, please post up dimensions of your smallest and largest chip of each nominal size and I'll start one and post it here.

Thanks!

Update-
due to next post being locked future size additions will be added here.

Emerald Bay
39.67-39.71mm diameter, 3.32-3.35mm thick



Apache Royal Cardroom
42.96-43.02mm diameter, 3.34-3.42 thick

 

[Sparkynutz]

Well, I guess I'll Kick this off-

Diameter then Thickness of various sets and sample sets on hand looking for high and lowest measurement of each.

Dice Chips varied but pretty consistent by color/batch. (low and high end of measurements)
Grey 39.64mm diameter 3.25mm thickness
Orange 40.22mm Diameter 3.42mm thickness

Chipco ceramic (spw set)
varied 39.13-39.22mm diameter and 3.29-3.38mm thickness.

BR ceramics (spw set)
varied 39.11-39.18mm diameter and 3.30-3.40mm thickness

Worn Paulson Jokers
39.11 Diameter 3.26mm thickness

Monte Carlo poker club chips
39.82-40.14mm diameter and 3.29-3.34mm

Cards mold ceramic
39.10mm diameter and 3.24mm thickness

Bud Jones Aura Casino
39.19-39.24mm diameter 3.29-3.34mm

Various casino chips in circulated but very good shape
38.84mm (a mint $1 cesars palace chip) low end diameter
39.20mm (Paulson Bally's $1 chip) high end diameter
3.19-3.30mm thickness

Milano
39.53mm-39.90mm diameter
3.35-3.41mm thickness.

I could measure more but it gave me a rough idea on how much chips vary in size.
Does anyone have any chips above or below my measurements?

Min Diameter 38.84 Max Diameter 40.22mm (1.38mm difference)

Min Thickness 3.19mm Max Thickness 3.42mm (.23mm difference)

In conclusion-
Dimensions for racks or stackers would give an approximate desired diameter of 40.3mm along with a desired stack length of 68.6mm.
If there aren't any other sizes above or below the spectrum I have already measured.

 

[chippitydoodah]

If it's for your own specific chips why don't you buy (or borrow) a digital caliper (micrometer). They're as cheap as $20 from Harbor Freight

 

[drdr]

Oooh, would be a sweet database opportunity. Graphs with standard error bars get me excited.

I don't have a chip hoard yet. But I did get my first callipers two days ago. Gonna see if I can convince the 10 yo to measure every chip and enter into excel.

 

[BGinGA]

Generally speaking, for new chip nominal dimensions (diameter x thickness):

-- most Paulson chips are 39mm x 3.3mm

-- most ceramic chips are 39mm x 3.3mm

-- most ASM/CPC chips are 39mm diameter but thickness varies by mold design (typically > 3.3mm)

-- most high-end plastics are 39mm x 3.3mm

-- most Chinese-produced low-end plastics are 40mm x 3.5mm (thickness can vary per mfg, design, and production run)

There are, however, exceptions for every category. Creating an accurate and conclusive database will prove difficult if not impossible.

 

[drdr]

There are, however, exceptions for every category. Creating an accurate and conclusive database will prove difficult if not impossible.

 

[Taghkanic]

I’ve seen slight variations in diameter even among Paulson chips which ought to be identical (same chip type, same era, same condition). The variations are slight—only readily noticeable when racked up tightly.

We’re talking small fractions of a millimeter. But if you get a particularly narrow one stacked next to a particularly wide one, it becomes more magnified.

This tilts me like crazy, but no one in my game will ever notice. When stacked in game, players are unlikely to ever get things lined up perfectly enough to see it. (The only upside of people not paying much attention to chip quality?)

 

[Sparkynutz]

Even slight variations between chip manufacturers and batches is magnified when stacked.

A LOT of $ and time is spent collecting, displaying, and storing chips.
Some of us are more ocd than others desiring the best neatly stacked picture or storage of their prized chips.

If a tightly racking racker stacker is the goal they will either need to be made to fit those specific chips diameter or accept a small gap or variations in stacking looks.

The same goes for storage racks.
Either a larger fits all rack has to be made and if a tight fit is desired spacers will be required according to barrel length of the certain chips used.

Or lastly a desired diameter and tray length made to required fit of specific chips.

I have been a machinist by trade on and off through the years so when things don't fit perfect I'd rather just start over and make sure they are correct for intended use.

Commercially available racks leave a lot to be desired partially caused by the wide array of manufacturing specs of poker chips.

My main intention of this thread was to look closer at what if anything can be done to determine a closer to correct size fits all solution.

Without this info a manufacturer would need to do what they have done in the past making overly large sloppy racks or risk making them too small for chips larger on the spectrum of nominal.

 

[Sparkynutz]

Does anybody have tiger palace chips they could measure diameter and stack height of a 10 stack of?

Thanks!

 

[BPTDirector]

I once had a set of tr king Casbah Club chips and they had a pretty wide variance in chip diameter, so much so that I sold them and never sought tr king chips again. I know, almost everyone will call me crazy, but I know what I know.

 

[Tonysquander]

I received a caliper for Christmas so this gave me a chance to play with it. I think I was doing it right…lol.

 

[Sparkynutz]

View attachment 1245666View attachment 1245667View attachment 1245668View attachment 1245669View attachment 1245670View attachment 1245671View attachment 1245672View attachment 1245673View attachment 1245674View attachment 1245675View attachment 1245676View attachment 1245677I received a caliper for Christmas so this gave me a chance to play with it. I think I was doing it right…lol.

Above and beyond! I'm surprised at the fairly consistent readings across the denoms.
Thanks!!!

 

[Sparkynutz]

In conclusion-
Dimensions for racks or stackers would give an approximate desired diameter of 40.3mm along with a desired stack length of 68.6mm.
If there aren't any other sizes above or below the spectrum I have already measured.

I have found this to not be true.
Desired stack length preferred by most from my experience has been stack height +.7 to 1mm.
Any more feels sloppy.
Any less risks being tight if the chips vary in size or has protruding defects or bow in rack.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

View attachment 1245666View attachment 1245667View attachment 1245668View attachment 1245669View attachment 1245670View attachment 1245671View attachment 1245672View attachment 1245673View attachment 1245674View attachment 1245675View attachment 1245676View attachment 1245677I received a caliper for Christmas so this gave me a chance to play with it. I think I was doing it right…lol.

No love for the hot stamps?!?

 

[Tonysquander]

No love for the hot stamps?!?

Not a big fan of HS