What got you all into chip collecting? What keeps you going? (1 Viewer)

[MPC_Exec]

Hey Everyone,

I joined the forum a few days ago to ask primarily about chip cleaning. Thanks for everyone who responded! After reading through the suggested posts and skimming the other sectors of the forum, I've grown quite interested in not just the hobby itself but the people behind it. Poker chip collecting is a rather niche hobby, I'd imagine, and I'm always interested to hear the unique things people have to say about their niche hobbies. With that in mind, I'd like to get your stories.

For one, the obvious. What first got you into chip collecting?

Second, what keeps you collecting? From what I've read, it seems like some of you all have been at this for a long time, which is darn impressive! Keeping up any hobby for that long takes dedication and passion, more so if it's something niche, so I'm looking forward to hear how you guys have kept at it. Any particularly noteworthy ups-and-downs, or distinct eras of your chipping days for those of you that have been at it for a very long time?

For others, it seems like what keeps you going is obvious: this stuff is addicting. Well then, what about it is addicting?

Lastly, if people want to touch on this, do you guys have anything to say about the nicheness of the hobby? Do you talk about chipping often with the people in your life who are not chippers? Are they interested? Any points where it's felt weird or alienating to have it as a main hobby?

Sorry that got so deep, but thanks for taking the time to consider! I think it's often the people who partake in an activity rather than the activity itself that make investigating and learning about it worthwhile for an outsider (which I am, more or less, as I said in my introduction post I'm giving a talk on poker chip cleaning mostly on a whim).

 

[moose]

I joined the blue wall looking for custom $5k chips for my ceramic Desert Sands chips.

What keeps me going? Meetups. I don't need anymore chips.

 

[Coyote]

I ended up here looking if cheap dice chips could be customised.
What keeps me going is that I 've never wanted to grow up.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

What started the journey? It all started when I messed up and bought a Samurai Palace set. I had been hosting weekly games with Chipco ceramics and instantly fell in love with clay chips. Most of my enjoyment, which drove my addiction, came from being able to pull out a different chip set every week.

What keeps me going? Not much. I find myself more interested in buying racks, as opposed to full sets, so I can do custom relabel sets. Huge problem with that is I always seem to like the stupidly expensive chios, so my sets end up being very expensive when complete.

With that said, I am likely toward the end of my chip buying journey. I have a wanted add out for the frac I want for my latest relabel set. Short of that, I have no real desire to collect more. That does NOT mean I am selling [added to avoid a slew of PMs], just that I'm content and the drive to win tequila driven auctions is fading. Now, I would certainly be interested if somebody had some TRK Rounders they wanted to offload, but even those would have to be at a reasonable price. What the hell would I do with a few hundred more?

Do I talk about chipping? Yes...definitely!! I love talking about chips with other chippers. And my wife even pretends like she cares when I drop $3k on 120 chips and I unpackage them. She honestly likes that I'm excited about it. But she also sees that I miss the weekly games, which is causing to lose interest in chipping. We play bi-weekly at best, and often only once a month.

Anyway...I am going to go do a shot of tequila and get ready for poker.

CHEERS!!

 

[Eriks]

I got into poker with the Moneymaker boom. Got myself a set of dice chips that worked fine for my games. I honestly don’t remember if I stumbled upon them or if I was actively looking for something better, but I immedietely fell in love with the Paulson CDI 05 set when I first saw it back in 2005. $1/chip was crazy expensive but I got myself a 500 chip set from Apache. Found chiptalk and learned about some other types of chips which led me to getting a set of hot stamped ASMs. I also got a ceramic WSOP tourney set through a group buy there.

Between 2010 and 2015 I didn’t play at all and the chips just sat in a closet. Picked it up again and played sporadically for a few years. Found this place in 2018 and got hooked for real. Have been buying and selling tons of sets since that. That has been the main appeal for me chipwise, trying out different sets, manufacturers, molds etc, finding out what I really like. But other than that I’d say that the community itself is the main attraction. The people here are awesome and I deeply enjoy coming here every day and talk about chips and whatever else.

I do not really talk about the hobby with outsiders. My non-chipper players know I spend a lot of money on the chips that we play with and while I think they enjoy playing with them, they’d probably be fine with dice chips as well. My wife thinks I’m insane, that’s for sure. She doesn’t really care how I spend my money but I still make sure to sneak some of the packages in without her knowing as it is quite difficult to explain why I really needed that fifth cash set.

 

[Undream]

I am a huge fan of stuff that improves your life experiences and holds their value.

I'm also into vintage razors and high end acoustic guitars.

I use everything I "collect".. and every one of them improves my life. And if I ever need to sell them I can.

There are very few hobbies that can check all these boxes. This is one of them.

 

[CarlosStorm]

What first got you into chip collecting?

Why do you suppose all the people are here for collecting chips?
I started here because I wanted a high-quality tourney set, and finally, I went to a custom cash set too. That's all, I'm not collecting sets, I have what I need, no more. Maybe there are people that like to change often the set they want to use for playing. And finally, there are a few that bought a lot of sets, and then sell a few too, and always go looking for some kind of Nirvana...

I don't know, everyone does what he likes, you can do the same.

 

[Coyote]

I got into poker with the Moneymaker boom. Got myself a set of dice chips that worked fine for my games. I honestly don’t remember if I stumbled upon them or if I was actively looking for something better, but I immedietely fell in love with the Paulson CDI 05 set when I first saw it back in 2005. $1/chip was crazy expensive but I got myself a 500 chip set from Apache. Found chiptalk and learned about some other types of chips which led me to getting a set of hot stamped ASMs. I also got a ceramic WSOP tourney set through a group buy there.

Between 2010 and 2015 I didn’t play at all and the chips just sat in a closet. Picked it up again and played sporadically for a few years. Found this place in 2018 and got hooked for real. Have been buying and selling tons of sets since that. That has been the main appeal for me chipwise, trying out different sets, manufacturers, molds etc, finding out what I really like. But other than that I’d say that the community itself is the main attraction. The people here are awesome and I deeply enjoy coming here every day and talk about chips and whatever else.

I do not really talk about the hobby with outsiders. My non-chipper players know I spend a lot of money on the chips that we play with and while I think they enjoy playing with them, they’d probably be fine with dice chips as well. My wife thinks I’m insane, that’s for sure. She doesn’t really care how I spend my money but I still make sure to sneak some of the packages in without her knowing as it is quite difficult to explain why I really needed that fifth cash set.

My partner, being a classical archaeologist, has gotten particularly emotional about the Athenian Owls (V1 or V2) and has kept bitching about "why you (i.e. I) should sell any of our little birdies, even as samples"

 

[CarlosStorm]

"why you (i.e. I) should sell any of our little birdies, even as samples"

Because you are very gentle, and you know these people appreciate your owls.

 

[allforcharity]

Peer pressure, peer pressure, and more peer pressure. That and turning it around and enabling all the locals, right, @JScott ?

 

[Klobberer]

You're a collector or you're not...I think it's instinctual. I started with baseball cards when I was 8 in the 70's. On to beer cans, stamps, coins, MTG cards, chips, whiskey, bottle openers...who knows what's next.

 

[SteveEH]

I don't collect much. I just wanted nice custom chip. I stick around here cause I like seeing other people's custom sets.

 

[Stufflymcstuff]

Wanted a cash set to replace dice chips, started with hsi (horseshoe Indiana) then was shocked when prices went up rapidly.

Became intrigued by the speculation aspect (wrt to price) and bought up a large jack set from Chip room because what the hell? It seems like it might actually go up in value. And that’s been the excuse I’ve used to buy many, many chips in the year I’ve been here. I get to use them, gawk at them, massage them, and maybe even make a little bit of money? Seems like a pretty sweet hobby. Every time I go out to a home game I bring a different set of casino chips and I think people enjoy them.

Currently hodling onto some 8k chips spanning 3 (large) cash sets, a tournament set and all sorts of sample sets / fun odds and ends. I should probably just get a vendors tag here and put some of it up for sale but the longer I have then the more of a sentimental attachment I have… i think I’m becoming a hoarder.

 

[ovo]

chips are beautiful

 

[CrazyEddie]

What first got you into chip collecting?

Ignorance.

Second, what keeps you collecting?

Stupidity.

 

[duffman]

This guy...https://www.youtube.com/user/ChipTrickVideos

Old chiptalk dude.

 

[luvpokerchips]

A few months ago I saw a video on youtube re. 18XX train games. Not that I was going to find gamers to play a 5-6 hour game.
But the video was about using poker chips to keep score. The video used the Bank chips. Well, I started viewing chips and set etc.
Now I am off and running. I purchased about 11 sample sets that interested me and I have a Royal Flush set and a Majestic and a Lucky Horseshoe
is on the way. I will stay away from the quirky chips except for sample sets.

 

[Eriks]

I will stay away from the quirky chips except for sample sets.

 

[luvpokerchips]

View attachment 889353

Sarcasm isn't lost on me.

View attachment 889353

I have to like it, even though you are piling it on.

You're a collector or you're not...I think it's instinctual. I started with baseball cards when I was 8 in the 70's. On to beer cans, stamps, coins, MTG cards, chips, whiskey, bottle openers...who knows what's next.

It is obvious you put whiskey in the middle. I trust whiskey wasn't during your childhood years.

View attachment 889353

ps. I did just look 5 min. ago at the Outlaw chips. My hands are trembling. I won't push the add to cart box.

 

[upNdown]

I got into pcf because I wanted chips with numbers on them.
Pcf got me into collecting because that’s what happens - you see all the cool chips other people have, and you want them (presumably so you can show off your cool chips and other people will want them.)

I haven’t gotten too far into collecting because my tastes tend toward the most expensive chips and my common sense won’t allow me to waste that kind of money.
I continue collecting only on add on singles to my main set, to make it more playable. That’s partly an excuse just to continue collecting, but it’s pretty manageable.
No, I rarely talk chipping with the people in my life - they don’t care. That’s why I hang out here - this is the place where you can talk about stuff that everybody else thinks is crazy or boring!

 

[luvpokerchips]

I got into pcf because I wanted chips with numbers on them.
Pcf got me into collecting because that’s what happens - you see all the cool chips other people have, and you want them (presumably so you can show off your cool chips and other people will want them.)

I haven’t gotten too far into collecting because my tastes tend toward the most expensive chips and my common sense won’t allow me to waste that kind of money.
I continue collecting only on add on singles to my main set, to make it more playable. That’s partly an excuse just to continue collecting, but it’s pretty manageable.
No, I rarely talk chipping with the people in my life - they don’t care. That’s why I hang out here - this is the place where you can talk about stuff that everybody else thinks is crazy or boring!

I saw those Martini Club chips. I think they are rare so I have to be realistic about them. I am not going to accumulate a boat load. Maybe 3 or 4 sets and less than 20 sample sets. If I get burned out or tired of them I'll say " at least I have a beautiful aluminum case for my pogs."

 

[LeLe]

For one, the obvious. What first got you into chip collecting?

I was looking for a New Poker Chip Set during Covid-19 when my family start to play more card game during the weekend together and @Chris Manzoni Video bring me to PCF

Fast Forward 1 year later, now I owned 6 set of Poker Chip and still think I need MORE

Second, what keeps you collecting?

I like to know the answer too cos I got ask the same question by my friends and family multi-times

 

[luvpokerchips]

I was looking for a New Poker Chip Set during Covid-19 when my family start to play more card game during the weekend together and @Chris Manzoni Video bring me to PCF

Fast Forward 1 year later, now I owned 6 set of Poker Chip and still think I need MORE



I like to know the answer too cos I got ask the same question by my friends and family multi-times

Just collect what looks nice. Narrow your selection(s).

 

[greenchip]

Because I like playing at casinos. I started collecting chips as a souvenir for visiting the casino. I collect coins since I was a kid and expanded my hands to chipping. They're beautiful.

 

[luvpokerchips]

You're a collector or you're not...I think it's instinctual. I started with baseball cards when I was 8 in the 70's. On to beer cans, stamps, coins, MTG cards, chips, whiskey, bottle openers...who knows what's next.

I trust the beer cans were empty I recollected BB cards thx to eBay. I bought cards that looked nice similar to chips.

 

[pokerplayingpisces]

What got me started…like others, I really got started during the Moneymaker boom. Wanted a nice table and clay chips. Found PNYs on eBay, and immediately fell into the hobby. My quest to find a playable set led my to the blue wall.
What keeps me going…. I have yet to find the perfect poker chip/set.
Seriously, I don’t need any more chips. I’m really with the happy with the sets I have. Mostly now looking to fill out barrels/racks to round out sets, and singles and sample sets.
I think most of my big set purchase days are behind me.
Do I talk about poker chips with those outside the hobby… A little bit. If people show interest, I’ll answer their questions and kinda explain what draws me to the hobby.
There has been times where I’ve playing in local game with a few chippers at the table. We get talking about chips, and it’s like were speaking our own language (THC, RHC, blaze orange, 818, etc). Everyone else at the table is looking at us funny, and trying to understand what the hell we’re talking about!

 

[luvpokerchips]

What got me started…like others, I really got started during the Moneymaker boom. Wanted a nice table and clay chips. Found PNYs on eBay, and immediately fell into the hobby. My quest to find a playable set led my to the blue wall.
What keeps me going…. I have yet to find the perfect poker chip/set.
Seriously, I don’t need any more chips. I’m really with the happy with the sets I have. Mostly now looking to fill out barrels/racks to round out sets, and singles and sample sets.
I think most of my big set purchase days are behind me.
Do I talk about poker chips with those outside the hobby… A little bit. If people show interest, I’ll answer their questions and kinda explain what draws me to the hobby.
There has been times where I’ve playing in local game with a few chippers at the table. We get talking about chips, and it’s like were speaking our own language (THC, RHC, blaze orange, 818, etc). Everyone else at the table is looking at us funny, and trying to understand what the hell we’re talking about!

Of course you don't need any more chips . When you start filling out those barrels... Now it is the small sets that will be in front of you.

 

[chkyrslf]

I too got into poker in the Moneymaker boom around 2004, and had all the usual solid plastic chips and then dice chips, and then decided I wanted something nicer and bought some SunFly ceramics around 2009.

From there, I was always into the physical environment of poker - online didn't cut it for me, I love the feel of nice chips and nice tables.

I bought some samples of World Top Hat & Cane Paulsons years ago, and always loved shuffling/handling them, but never bought a full set (stupid in hindsight).

I'm not really a collector. I like having samples of interesting chips to understand what people are talking about, but I've more been on the hunt for my sets that I want to own and use. I have had custom cards mold ceramics made for a tournament set, and CPC customs on the way for a cash set. I think this will satisfy my urge for now, but we'll see what this site does to me in time

 

[luvpokerchips]

I too got into poker in the Moneymaker boom around 2004, and had all the usual solid plastic chips and then dice chips, and then decided I wanted something nicer and bought some SunFly ceramics around 2009.

From there, I was always into the physical environment of poker - online didn't cut it for me, I love the feel of nice chips and nice tables.

I bought some samples of World Top Hat & Cane Paulsons years ago, and always loved shuffling/handling them, but never bought a full set (stupid in hindsight).

I'm not really a collector. I like having samples of interesting chips to understand what people are talking about, but I've more been on the hunt for my sets that I want to own and use. I have had custom cards mold ceramics made for a tournament set, and CPC customs on the way for a cash set. I think this will satisfy my urge for now, but we'll see what this site does to me in time

If you go to a few of the online vendors, you will see some nice sample sets. You could be satisfied with only sample sets or buy a small or 500 chip set. You can customize the denoms for micro stakes or low-limit. There are videos on youtube re. how many denoms for cash games.

 

[MatB]

Online

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