Switching from Dice Chips to Ceramics (3 Viewers)

[santiagochips]

Hey guys,

I would love to host more games, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to upgrade to ceramics to keep prices low. That being said, I'm pretty confused on the difference between good and bad ceramics. Apparently ceramics from ABC gifts and awards are supposed to be better, whereas brands like Nile aren't well regarded? Also, I'm also curious as to why a lot of ceramics look flat, whereas casino clays and china clays have distinct molds.

Thanks!

Additionally, any tips to avoids scams and ensure a smooth buying experience that weren't already listed in the Classified Scammers thread would be greatly appreciated

 

[chippitydoodah]

I will tell you that here on PCF your chances of being scammed are extremely limited. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you'll find the members here protect each other and as of now, you're in that fold. For the price range you're expressing and the vendors you're considering you'll be safe from scams. Ceramic chips are printed and smooth and slippery. That's not necessarily a negative. It really depends on what your eye likes. Get samples before purchasing a whole set to avoid disappointment.

 

[santiagochips]

I will tell you that here on PCF your chances of being scammed are extremely limited. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you'll find the members here protect each other and as of now, you're in that fold. For the price range you're expressing and the vendors you're considering you'll be safe from scams. Ceramic chips are printed and smooth and slippery. That's not necessarily a negative. It really depends on what your eye likes. Get samples before purchasing a whole set to avoid disappointment.

Thanks for the reply! I do have some sample ceramic chips actually, and I do like the feel. However, I have no idea where these ceramic chips originated, which leads to me asking, what should I look out for when buying ceramic chips? What are "low quality" vs "high quality" ceramic chips?

 

[ThinkingFold]

While technically hybrids ( ceramic with stickers ) these are the chips you want to get if looking for ceramics.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...d-cards-mold-textured-no-mold-02-2024.114431/

 

[davesilver88]

The link above leads you to the Tina Ceramic monthly group buy run by Justin, it’s very popular and you won’t be disappointed.

A higher quality ceramic would be from BR Pro Poker. Price is a little higher.

Good luck!

 

[springbox]

Thanks for the reply! I do have some sample ceramic chips actually, and I do like the feel. However, I have no idea where these ceramic chips originated, which leads to me asking, what should I look out for when buying ceramic chips? What are "low quality" vs "high quality" ceramic chips?

If you post a picture, I'm sure some users here can identify them.

 

[HughDrackman]

What is your budget? What stakes are you playing? Tina’s are the best bang for your buck, but BRpro are probably the best quality around.

 

[SeanGecko]

I love my ceramic plain mold hybrids.

 

[santiagochips]

If you post a picture, I'm sure some users here can identify them.

After looking at it closer, it's probably china clay. I think they're the apache dunes clay poker chips

What is your budget? What stakes are you playing? Tina’s are the best bang for your buck, but BRpro are probably the best quality around.

Around $250, micro and small stakes. A lot of the casino clay sets I've seen are well above my budget, but I'm not sure if that's because it includes $50, 100, 500 chips. Because it's micro and small stakes, I'm debating saving up a bit more and just harvesting low denom chips from a casino... if that's even allowed. Or just buying from a vendor like TheChipRoom, I've been looking at the Tropicana Evansville Primary Cash Set ($160, I'm not sure if it's casino clay) which I'm pretty sure is sold out and the Diamond Jacks T5 Set NEW ($400, also not sure).

I've had my eyes on used ceramics, because as of now, I'm not really looking to have my chips custom made and I'm not looking to jump to a high-end set right away.

 

[HughDrackman]

After looking at it closer, it's probably china clay. I think they're the apache dunes clay poker chips

Around $250, micro and small stakes. A lot of the casino clay sets I've seen are well above my budget, but I'm not sure if that's because it includes $50, 100, 500 chips. Because it's micro and small stakes, I'm debating saving up a bit more and just harvesting low denom chips from a casino... if that's even allowed. Or just buying from a vendor like TheChipRoom, I've been looking at the Tropicana Evansville Primary Cash Set ($160, I'm not sure if it's casino clay) which I'm pretty sure is sold out and the Diamond Jacks T5 Set NEW ($400, also not sure).

I've had my eyes on used ceramics, because as of now, I'm not really looking to have my chips custom made and I'm not looking to jump to a high-end set right away.

I would definitely look into a Tina group buy through Justin. You can get decent micro stakes chips through him that are light years beyond dice chips without breaking the bank. The only catch is that you’ll have to wait a while to get them. I think the wait time is around two months.

 

[SeanGecko]

I would definitely look into a Tina group buy through Justin. You can get decent micro stakes chips through him that are light years beyond dice chips without breaking the bank. The only catch is that you’ll have to wait a while to get them. I think the wait time is around two months.

Plus CUSTOM.

 

[thetikiking]

As the name implies, I LOVE my Tiki Kings from BR Poker Pro. My buddies want to play more over the random dice ones. While yes not totally custom, I think the artwork is really hard to beat for the price point.

 

[Labrat]

I would definitely look into a Tina group buy through Justin. You can get decent micro stakes chips through him that are light years beyond dice chips without breaking the bank. The only catch is that you’ll have to wait a while to get them. I think the wait time is around two months.

I agree with this 100%. There are tons of pre-designed chipsets so finding one that suits you shouldn't be that difficult.

I've gone from being a huge fan of China clays to steering people away from them and to ceramics since via group buys you can do as well, if not better, in pricing. I've yet to have a single CC set last me without fading, crumbling, or other issues over time.

EDIT: It just hit me that I do have a set of CCs that have lasted me. They're the 1100 purples I bought from ABC for a limit set in a closeout from PGI inventory (I believe).

They're pretty awesome, but no longer available.

 

[buzzmonkey]

I'm a big @BR Pro Poker evangelist. You will not find better customer service in this industry than Gene and Kristil.

I've bought two tournament sets, multiple dealer buttons and bounty chips from them.

 

[Timmah]

I bought 1700 semi custom Nevada Jacks from BR Poker. I love them. If you don’t want to do full custom, this is the way to go.

However, I hired @mattross1313 to design me a custom cash set, custom tournament set, dealer button, and card protectors for my tournament winners. I’m in the process of ordering from @justincarothers. Cash set is ordered for the Feb group buy and will have the Greek mold. Tournament set will be ordered for the March group buy and will have the web mold.

 

[ekricket]

I've had my eyes on used ceramics, because as of now, I'

@Josh Kifer