Tina Chips — Need advice (3 Viewers)

[Blumbus]

New to the forum—here’s my sitch:

I currently have 500x Metal Slug Monte Carlos, which are fine, but I'm looking for something lighter and more similar to real casino chips—without totally breaking the bank.

I've done a fair bit of researching, reading, watching videos, etc. and I feel like the Tina hybrids are the way to go... Right now, I'm really liking the Dunes of Arrakis design as I'm I fan of Dune. They currently have no label fee, which is tempting. But… I haven’t gotten any samples yet, so I’m unsure if they’re worth it. And I know samples are the #1 thing but the time frame on this $0 label fee is putting pressure on me.

Should I:

A. Buy 500x of the Dunes of Arrakis and sell the Monte Carlos on Facebook Marketplace?
B. Get some samples first, and risk spending more overall (especially if I end up liking them and the label fee goes up later)?

It also sucks that I have to decide within 7 days before the group order closes.

What do you guys think?

Also, I really like the design of the New China Club chips—but those are a full $80 at the moment.

 

[Damo]

A. Yes
B. See above

 

[chippitydoodah]

The Monte's are only worth .20c each new so there's not much to gain selling them, but you didn't specify your budget so that might be significant in you purchasing m0Ar chips. FYI here's what a Monte is constructed of and they do blow apart as the glue dries out:

A thin button on each side with a washer sandwiched between. I'd suggest if you can afford it to buy your Tina set and hang onto your Monte's for some variety?

 

[Colquhoun]

Chances are you’ll like the hybrids, they are as close to clay feeling and sounding ceramic chips that I’ve felt.
However, if you decide you don’t like them, you could likely sell them here for what you paid, provided you haven’t chosen a strange the breakdown of denominations.

 

[Blumbus]

Chances are you’ll like the hybrids, they are as close to clay feeling and sounding ceramic chips that I’ve felt.
However, if you decide you don’t like them, you could likely sell them here for what you paid, provided you haven’t chosen a strange the breakdown of denominations.

I was gonna do micro stake denoms - 5c 25c $1 $5 $25

Or maybe I’ll just do a non denom instead of the 5c one as that might sell better?

 

[Gus]

Have you seen this listing? More chips than you need, but you could split off whatever you don't need and sell'em here.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...b-china-ceramic-cards-mold-tina-chips.133785/

You'd have them next week instead of waiting 2 months or more.

 

[Blumbus]

Have you seen this listing? More chips than you need, but you could split off whatever you don't need and sell'em here.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...b-china-ceramic-cards-mold-tina-chips.133785/

You'd have them next week instead of waiting 2 months or more.

you the man

 

[Colquhoun]

Those China clubs are cards mold, which are different enough from hybrids that I recommend samples before pulling the trigger.
I personally prefer the hybrids much more than cards mold.

 

[Blumbus]

Those China clubs are cards mold, which are different enough from hybrids that I recommend samples before pulling the trigger.
I personally prefer the hybrids much more than cards mold.

Woah, totally didn't realize that... What exactly do you prefer about the hybrids over the cards mold?

 

[doublebooyah85]

Have you seen this listing? More chips than you need, but you could split off whatever you don't need and sell'em here.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...b-china-ceramic-cards-mold-tina-chips.133785/

You'd have them next week instead of waiting 2 months or more.

Those are nice but they are not “hybrids”

 

[Gus]

Ah, right.

The ones I linked to have printed 'labels' meaning it's all just smooth across the center... meaning the chip face has been printed.

"Hybrids" = there's a recess in the chip, and a plastic sticker label has been applied to it. Usually this plastic will have a slightly different texture or feel than the chip itself, so it's sort of dual texture.

TINA makes chips both ways. Maybe cards mold is always printed, I can't keep my TINAs straight.

 

[Colquhoun]

With the cards mold, the art is printed directly onto the chip, and the quality of the printing isn't as good. It's fine for the base colors and edgespots, but it struggles to get fine detail in the center inlay area.
The hybrids have a recess in the chip and a separately printed label that is much higher in quality...able to reproduce fine details and colors. Hybrids also sound better, in my opinion, and won't ever suffer from spinners. A few cents more per chip, but completely worth it.

 

[Blumbus]

Thank you guys for the all the info. Seriously appreciated

 

[Eriks]

Get a hybrid set. Hard to go wrong, they get love from clay snobs even (myself included).

 

[TheYeti]

Even if you get Tina hybrid samples, it's unlikely you can get samples of the actual Dunes of Aarrakis chips unless someone who bought a set got extra to sell as samples.

Personally, I've had a shuffle barrel of the hybrids for a few months now and like them enough that I just put in my order for the Aarrakis chips on the group buy. My other set is CPC, so that's saying something.

 

[TheYeti]

I was gonna do micro stake denoms - 5c 25c $1 $5 $25

Or maybe I’ll just do a non denom instead of the 5c one as that might sell better?

What stakes do you usually play and how many players do you usually have?

 

[JDPoker]

The hybrids are great. I have a large set and more coming...but I vote B. Take your time, get samples, watch the classifieds, think about what you really need,

 

[Jers28]

Get a hybrid set. Hard to go wrong, they get love from clay snobs even (myself included).

100% agree. Can’t be beat for the price. I have several clay sets, a custom set of BR Pros and still think the hybrids probably make the most sense in real life. They get more action than my other sets, simply because if they walk out of my house or get damaged, I give zero f@$ks. And when you have 30 guys over for an MTT, zero chance I’m letting my Paulson’s out those nights.

 

[RedDirtBo]

I feel like I'm posting this every couple of weeks, so my apologies. Same design, chip on the left is Card mold, right is hybrid Web mold. Gives you an idea on the differences with the "inlay". You can also see the texturing on the web mold.

 

[Blumbus]

What stakes do you usually play and how many players do you usually have?

usually 6-10 people. $20 buy-in, micro stakes, .05c/.25c or 10c/25c

 

[Colquhoun]

usually 6-10 people. $20 buy-in, micro stakes, .05c/.25c or 10c/25c

With those stakes, you could save some money by avoiding the 5c chips altogether. If the nickels are only for the small blind, it’s kind of a waste…only one person is using them each hand, and they are often pulled back in the small blind’s stack and replaced by a bet/call.
You could play 25c/25c and see literally zero difference in the game.
The only time nickels make sense is 5c/10c games.

 

[Skullzer]

Here's a link to the most recent group buy. orders close on July 2

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chips-web-jester-greek-sun-tangiers-july-2025.133251/

Oops. I missed some context in the OP, sounds like you're already aware of the group buy.

 

[Blumbus]

With those stakes, you could save some money by avoiding the 5c chips altogether. If the nickels are only for the small blind, it’s kind of a waste…only one person is using them each hand, and they are often pulled back in the small blind’s stack and replaced by a bet/call.
You could play 25c/25c and see literally zero difference in the game.
The only time nickels make sense is 5c/10c games.

Sorry, I meant to say 5c/10c 10c/25c

from the group buy is was thinking about getting:
100x 5c
200x 25c
150x $1
25x $5
25x $20

 

[Skullzer]

That looks like a great breakdown!

 

[Colquhoun]

Sorry, I meant to say 5c/10c 10c/25c

from the group buy is was thinking about getting:
100x 5c
200x 25c
150x $1
25x $5
25x $20

If you want to future-proof your game for a possible raise in the stakes, you might consider adding more $1 and $5 chips, as long as the label fee is waived.
Buy once, cry once...

 

[Blumbus]

If you want to future-proof your game for a possible raise in the stakes, you might consider adding more $1 and $5 chips, as long as the label fee is waived.
Buy once, cry once...