Recommendations for Fracs, First cash set (1 Viewer)

[Sap]

I wasn’t sure if I should post a wanted ad since I’m still figuring out what will work best for me, but here’s what I’m aiming for with my first cash set.

Initial breakdown (.25/.25 game):

• 200 × $0.25
• 200 × $1
• 200 × $5
• 20 × $25

Future additions:

• +60 × $25
• +20 × $100

Chip choices so far:

$1s: Overlabeled HSI Secondaries (undecided whether I’ll keep or remove the labels, photo courtesy @Dcarl )

$5s: HS Cincys (photo courtesy @BigSlick4523 )

$25s: HS Clevelands (photo courtesy of @BHB )

Side by side (courtesy @ChipGuide)

Budget & preferences:

• Around $1–$2 per chip (willing to go up to $3 if I really love the option)
• Looking for 2 racks
• Prefer RHC/THC molds
• Fan of solid yellows as fracs

Questions:

• What colors or chip options would you recommend in this price range?
• Is overlabeling a reasonable option for fracs, given how hard originals are to find?

Thank you guys in advance.

 

[Felt_Lizard]

For how many tables? And just hold'em (9-10 players), or Circus games (6-8 players) ?

Assuming 1 table, and only slightly increasing from your initial overall number chips (I upped it by 80 chips), I'd lean toward this " perfect" 700 chip breakdown:

100 x .25
200 x $1
300 x $5
80 x $25
20 x $100

Or ... go with what ~I~ use in my own 600 chip circus-set for meetups.

100 x .25
180 x $1
240 x $5
60 x $25
20 x $100

Both vastly increase your bank, get a lot of chips onto the table, and somewhat inflation "proofs" the set.

For the fracs: Get Paulson hot-stamped cherries or starbursts (do a search) in what ever solid color you prefer.

And player....GOOD LUCK.

 

[mr11]

I’d say arc yellow, horizon blue or day blue starburst would look nice

 

[Sap]

For how many tables? And just hold'em (9-10 players), or Circus games (6-8 players) ?

Assuming 1 table, and only slightly increasing from your initial overall number chips (I upped it by 80 chips), I'd lean toward this " perfect" 700 chip breakdown:

100 x .25
200 x $1
300 x $5
80 x $25
20 x $100

Or ... go with what ~I~ use in my own 600 chip circus-set for meetups.

100 x .25
180 x $1
240 x $5
60 x $25
20 x $100

Both vastly increase your bank, get a lot of chips onto the table, and somewhat inflation "proofs" the set.

For the fracs: Get Paulson hot-stamped cherries or starbursts (do a search) in what ever solid color you prefer.

And player....GOOD LUCK.

I’d say arc yellow, horizon blue or day blue starburst would look nice

Is it recommended to overlabel on starbursts, murder/mill, or keep them non-denominational?

 

[mr11]

Is it recommended to overlabel on starbursts, murder/mill, or keep them non-denominational?

Typically I’d say keep them non-denominational if they’re in good shape. You can’t over label hot stamps cause the indentation from the hot stamp wouldnt give a good surface area for the label. If the stamps are worn, you won’t be able to get them any better so send them to the drill press

 

[Colquhoun]

For my HSI set, I used Paris $1 and removed the inlay, and applied Gear labels. Not sure what the market is on the Paris $1 chips these days, though…

At one point, I had milled blue solids with Gear labels, something like that may be a less expensive option:

 

[Felt_Lizard]

Well, it's nice to have choices.

Get whatever becomes available first, then upgrade later if you want to.

For instance:

Right now, if you get a starburst or cherry rack, it'll be a mixed mold set (mostly RHC set with a single THC frac rack), and you'll have hot-stamps and inlays mixed.

But, players are always upgrading around here, so you could keep your eyes open for a nice inlayed RHC rack of real fracs, Like Blue Chip quarters. They, and others similar, come up very regularly for sale.

I also think hot-stamped casino RHC quarters pop-up here pretty often.

You'll likely pay 200-400 for the rack, which is reasonable, for what you're getting. And your set will be unified.

It wouldn't take long, just watch the "Auction" and "For sale" sections.

GL player.

 

[suchj0sh]

The Sycuan $2’s are a good option to overlabel. Idk how common they are in excellent condition like the rest of your set.

 

[caballo993]

Blue is a good option here, either Rivers $2 or JACK Cinci $2.

Yellow is hard to come by in RHC, but Sycuan and Boulder Station are good options.

 

[ChippinUp]

I had the same $1 and $5 chip in my first mixed set and went with this Peppermill chip. Came in right around $2/chip

 

[Sap]

Blue is a good option here, either Rivers $2 or JACK Cinci $2.

View attachment 1607914
View attachment 1607915

Yellow is hard to come by in RHC, but Sycuan and Boulder Station are good options.

Those Jack $2s are really nice, love it.

 

[Sap]

I had the same $1 and $5 chip in my first mixed set and went with this Peppermill chip. Came in right around $2/chip

View attachment 1607920

Great choices, love the 25s/100s

 

[ChippinUp]

Great choices, love the 25s/100s

I like your $25 choice over the DJ $25 I went with but that DJ $100 is

 

[Sap]

I like your $25 choice over the DJ $25 I went with but that DJ $100 is

If my DJs weren't my touney set, I would love to use em

 

[BEANO52]

For how many tables? And just hold'em (9-10 players), or Circus games (6-8 players) ?

Assuming 1 table, and only slightly increasing from your initial overall number chips (I upped it by 80 chips), I'd lean toward this " perfect" 700 chip breakdown:

100 x .25
200 x $1
300 x $5
80 x $25
20 x $100

Or ... go with what ~I~ use in my own 600 chip circus-set for meetups.

100 x .25
180 x $1
240 x $5
60 x $25
20 x $100

700 chip ($8200ish) breakdown

100/160/300/100/40

 

[caballo993]

These could be a good option too:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/green-valley-ranch-poker-room-reopening.136906/

 

[Mushmanchuman]

I always like an entire barrel of fracs per player. A lot of times the frac is custom or hand selected, so I say get em out there.

Something like 140 will be good for a starting table of 7. 8th player makes change.

Once upon a time I made a 50 cent frac for the HS Cincy outta these.

 

[Felt_Lizard]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/marketplace/104-hollywood-joliet-fracs-25s.26/

PM him if you see possibility.

 

[Bacon Dad]

Before you start following other people’s advice on how many chips to buy and acquiring a large bank of chips, figure out how much money you think you are going to have on the table at the end of a really good night of poker.
There are so many of us here that own racks of $25s and $100s that never see the felt. Some of us think you need 4-5 racks of $5s to have a proper game. So base your bank on the $$ size of your games. If your table always sees less than $500, you really don’t need 3 racks of $5s.
But then you are going to hear people whine about “future proofing” your set. The chips you are buying right now are for sale a lot. And if you eventually need more, someone will sell some in the future. Or you get the pleasure of figuring out how to make a different chip work in your set to expand it.
Good luck in the hunt!
Show us where you land, especially if you relabel.

 

[Bacon Dad]

Check out these fracs for sale.

Thread 'HSI fracs option for Primary set (x120) - $300 shipped'
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/hsi-fracs-option-for-primary-set-x120-300-shipped.136949/

 

[Sap]

Before you start following other people’s advice on how many chips to buy and acquiring a large bank of chips, figure out how much money you think you are going to have on the table at the end of a really good night of poker.
There are so many of us here that own racks of $25s and $100s that never see the felt. Some of us think you need 4-5 racks of $5s to have a proper game. So base your bank on the $$ size of your games. If your table always sees less than $500, you really don’t need 3 racks of $5s.
But then you are going to hear people whine about “future proofing” your set. The chips you are buying right now are for sale a lot. And if you eventually need more, someone will sell some in the future. Or you get the pleasure of figuring out how to make a different chip work in your set to expand it.
Good luck in the hunt!
Show us where you land, especially if you relabel.

Thanks, I think the 200/200/200/20 breakdown I'm going for right now will be a great start ($1,750 Bank).

Looking to play .25/.25 with $20-$40 buy-ins (80-160BBs).

I'm sure this will change over time, but I want to start small and make sure we are enjoying the time spent playing poker together, rather than having thousands on the table in a night and people go home feeling terrible.

 

[Bacon Dad]

I'm sure this will change over time, but I want to start small and make sure we are enjoying the time spent playing poker together, rather than having thousands on the table in a night and people go home feeling terrible.

100% correct. The goal is to keep people coming back to play the game and willing to loose XX amount of dollars every month/week. If your game is too big/too high priced, your game could eventually die. It is hard finding the right group of people who will spend $200+ on a weekly basis on poker.

 

[AH77]

IMO the goat frac substitute for HSI’s are the Paris 1s. A rack generally goes for $200-$225 ish depending on the condition.

 

[Sap]

Thanks for the help and suggestions everyone, went with the Paris $1 (RHC). Current lineup and awaiting Gear Labels.

 

[ChippinUp]

Nice choice!

 

[suchj0sh]

Approved. I really appreciate those $5’s a LOT more in sharp condition. Nice set !

 

[warewulf]

Looks like you already made your decision. Figured I'd post what I'm using since I have some of the same chips.

.50 - RHC Lucky Lady
$1 - Paris
$5 - Horseshoe CI
$25 - Horseshoe CI
$100 - Ultimate Bet

 

[Felt_Lizard]

Current lineup

The committee has decided:

Your chips pass muster.
You may remain a forum member here.

As you were, player.

 

[foreverdev]

Nice.

 

[ChippinUp]

Is the plan to murder those Paris $1’s?