What happened while I was away!? (3 Viewers)

TriLam

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So I am back into the chip world after about 14ish years... I was looking for a tourney set to replace the one I sold long ago and man... it seems like there aren't a lot of (good) options out there. Gone is BCC, home Paulsons, Chipco, TR King, etc. What is the "next step down" these days. As in BCC was a step down from Paulsons back in the day. Cant afford more custom ASMs (at least Classicpokerchips is still making them.) I see Milanos, and some 12.5-14 gram stuff? Ugh, why did I part with the Chipcos and even the Isthmus BCCs???

Any guidance would be appreciated. What is top end that is available today and what is the next step down?

Thanks
 
BCC CDIs come up for sale in the classifieds from time to time, usually priced in the $1.5-2/chip range. As does other BCC sets such as the Samurais (slightly more expensive) and the proteges (usually $2/chip).

If you wanna go custom without breaking the bank, ceramics from brpropoker.com is an excellent option.
 
The biggest difference I see today is people murder chips (inlay removal and replacement). Some only murder the generic (fun nite, starbursts), and some will murder anything.

There have been a lot of chip finds. Jim at the chip room is still at it, bringing massive quantities of chips to market. Just off the top of my head:
Outpost Casino (RainmanTrail)
Santa Ysabel (Navels)
Horseshoe Cincinnati (Chip Room)
Horseshoe Southern Indiana (Chip Room)
Jack Detroit (Chip Room)
Jack Cincinnati (Chip Room)
Isle of Capri (Chip Room)
Binions WSOP 90s era Paulsons (eBay)
Riffle Steins $1s (eBay)
Sacramento Fun Room aka Cocaine Giraffes (eBay)
Boat Chips aka nagb (use the search):bag:

I know I didn't really answer your question, more answering your title. Chipco's are still an inexpensive option.
 
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Two relatively new and inexpensive totally custom options worth exploring today are 39mm card mold ceramics from China (~ 35c/chip delivered) and 43mm ceramic hybrids from Sun-Fly (~ 65c/chip delivered). Those are typical group buy prices; individual orders run about 25% higher (mostly in increased shipping costs).

Paulson and TRK sets are generally considered the top tier clay sets, with some BCC sets also highly regarded. CPC (previously ASM) now the only game in town for custom compressed clay chips.

Jim S. @ TheChipRoom has brought a LOT of new and used casino chips (mostly Paulsons) to the market via purchase of closed/rebranded casino stock -- I'd guess 5+ million chips (or more) in the last 14 years.
 
The biggest difference I see today is people murder chips (inlay removal and replacement). Some only murder the generic (fun nite, starbursts), and some will murder anything.

There have been a lot of chip finds. Jim at the chip room is still at it, bringing massive quantities of chips to market. Just off the top of my head:
Outpost Casino (RainmanTrail)
Santa Ysabel (Navels)
Horseshoe Cincinnati (Chip Room)
Horseshoe Southern Indiana (Chip Room)
Jack Detroit (Chip Room)
Jack Cincinnati (Chip Room)
Isle of Capri (Chip Room)
Binions WSOP 90s era Paulsons (eBay)
Riffle Steins $1s (eBay)
Sacramento Fun Room aka Cocaine Giraffes (eBay)
Boat Chips aka nagb (use the search):bag:

I know I didn't really answer your question, more answering your title. Chipco's are still an inexpensive option.
More coming...,
 
So I am back into the chip world after about 14ish years... I was looking for a tourney set to replace the one I sold long ago and man... it seems like there aren't a lot of (good) options out there. Gone is BCC, home Paulsons, Chipco, TR King, etc. What is the "next step down" these days. As in BCC was a step down from Paulsons back in the day. Cant afford more custom ASMs (at least Classicpokerchips is still making them.) I see Milanos, and some 12.5-14 gram stuff? Ugh, why did I part with the Chipcos and even the Isthmus BCCs???

Any guidance would be appreciated. What is top end that is available today and what is the next step down?

Thanks

It's a whole different ball game now. Supply is in the toilet and demand is through the roof. New chippers like me hear stories of the old days and cry. It seems like back then leaded, shaped-inlay THC Paulsons were raining from the sky. The hobby was a few dozen people casually swapping around sets that would set you back five grand today, if anyone were selling them, which they aren't.

Playable sets of clay chips are crazy to get your hands on now. They don't trade very often and when they do they cost as much as a used car. The exceptions are the huge scores that Jim from The Chip Room has gotten recently, so if you like RHC you'll be fine. Otherwise, it's customs from CPC and they aren't exactly cheap either. But at least they're readily available, if you don't mind waiting a year to get them.

After that it's ceramics, and then either casino plastics or china clays depending on how you feel about them, but if you're used to measuring your standards against Paulsons you're not gonna be thrilled with either of them.

Every day there's a new chipper who discovers the hobby and joins PCF, looking to buy their share of top-quality chips from a small pool that isn't getting any bigger.

Welcome back to the chip world.
 
It's a whole different ball game now. Supply is in the toilet and demand is through the roof. New chippers like me hear stories of the old days and cry. It seems like back then leaded, shaped-inlay THC Paulsons were raining from the sky. The hobby was a few dozen people casually swapping around sets that would set you back five grand today, if anyone were selling them, which they aren't.

Playable sets of clay chips are crazy to get your hands on now. They don't trade very often and when they do they cost as much as a used car. The exceptions are the huge scores that Jim from The Chip Room has gotten recently, so if you like RHC you'll be fine. Otherwise, it's customs from CPC and they aren't exactly cheap either. But at least they're readily available, if you don't mind waiting a year to get them.

After that it's ceramics, and then either casino plastics or china clays depending on how you feel about them, but if you're used to measuring your standards against Paulsons you're not gonna be thrilled with either of them.

Every day there's a new chipper who discovers the hobby and joins PCF, looking to buy their share of top-quality chips from a small pool that isn't getting any bigger.

Welcome back to the chip world.
Unfortunately, this sums it up really well
 
Only thing I'd argue with is "supply is in the toilet". The total amount of chips -- new and used -- introduced into the market during the past ten (or even just five) years is staggering. Oldtimers can only wish they'd had those number of options and choices way back when.

Probably more accurate to say that supply, although robust, struggles to keep up with the ever-increasing demand.
 
Very helpful replies guys, thank you so much. Unfortunate for me that I don't have the kind of money to throw around that I did back before I got married and had kids... I was hoping for an easy good quality/moderate cost tourney option but one that wouldn't feel like a big step down from what I had before.

Looks like I have some samples to order to get an idea what the mid range chips are like nowdays. What are the "china clays" like? I will check out BR Pro... that seems like maybe an option.

...and yes, the sticker shock has given me bowel problems....
 
...and yes, the sticker shock has given me bowel problems....
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China clay are decent for the price but if you’re used to THCs you’re gonna be disappointed. And they’re smelly (!) I would say BCCs are the best bang for your bucks right now if going for high ends. BRpros are great assuming one likes ceramics.
 
Unfortunately, this sums it up really well
I felt this way for sure. But have found an excellent set of Sun-fly (Prestige GB), and done a Custom RHC set (Chip Room both direct buy, but also the chips that get shooken out because of sales); both massive upgrades over the chips we used previously.

Actually might try to start piecing together a THC set.

Think patience is the key.
 
What is your price range nowadays? That may help us guide you to your perfect new tourney set, and I can, along with others, possibly lend you sample sets to feel out the current options.
 
I felt this way for sure. But have found an excellent set of Sun-fly (Prestige GB), and done a Custom RHC set (Chip Room both direct buy, but also the chips that get shooken out because of sales); both massive upgrades over the chips we used previously.

Actually might try to start piecing together a THC set.

Think patience is the key.


Get out of my market! I need those! :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 
What is your price range nowadays? That may help us guide you to your perfect new tourney set, and I can, along with others, possibly lend you sample sets to feel out the current options.
Ugh... I am saddened to say what my budget is now. If I ordered today it would be like $200. If there is something out there other than a chance one off sale on eBay or this forum etc. then I would be open to saving up. However the Mrs gave the go ahead (sort of) for me to replace my tourney set so this may be a strike while the iron is hot situation. The problem with saving up with a wife and kids is a large expenditure is hard to justify most of the time and any nest egg seems to get used up at least once a year.... I would say 300 to 400 at most and more likely 200ish. I realize that excludes the chips I would really want given that I have played with the "good stuff."

Also, there is a kid I work with who played with my ASMs and is now very interested in getting a set of something for himself. He has maybe a $500 budget, donthis thread is partially to pass along some guidance to him as well as help me.
 
Ugh... I am saddened to say what my budget is now. If I ordered today it would be like $200. If there is something out there other than a chance one off sale on eBay or this forum etc. then I would be open to saving up. However the Mrs gave the go ahead (sort of) for me to replace my tourney set so this may be a strike while the iron is hot situation. The problem with saving up with a wife and kids is a large expenditure is hard to justify most of the time and any nest egg seems to get used up at least once a year.... I would say 300 to 400 at most and more likely 200ish. I realize that excludes the chips I would really want given that I have played with the "good stuff."

Also, there is a kid I work with who played with my ASMs and is now very interested in getting a set of something for himself. He has maybe a $500 budget, donthis thread is partially to pass along some guidance to him as well as help me.
How big of a set do you need? A single-table tourney set is easily covered with 400 chips.

A no-frills but functional low-cost clay set can be built for under $500, custom 43mm hybrids available for under $300, and custom card-mold ceramics for less than $150.
 
What happened while I was away!?

Well,

"First the Earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di's clothes...."
 
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Well,

First the Earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di's clothes....
I haven't been gone quite that long....sheesh
 

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