Where do I start? (1 Viewer)

[Camerasniper]

Hi all,

This is my second post on the forum after joining about a day ago. Trying to get into the chip world in the smartest way possible, and get my addiction going. If I were to summarize my current situation, I host weekly home cash games at my place with player #s ranging from 5-10 people roughly, usually only getting about 6-8 people at any given game. The way we normally play is a $10 buy in with 10/20 cents blinds and we use those standard walmart dice chips. We give each person 10 white chips (10c) 8 red (50c) and 5 blue($1). Players can buy back in for another $10 if they bust and a normal session usually lasts us around 4 hours so there are going to pretty much be like 4-5 buy backs maximum. I figured in this situation, a set of 600 ish chips might be a comfortable amount but I'm open to feedback.

I want to get some nicer chips, and I'm kind of at a point where if I'm going to spend hundreds of dollars for a chip set, I might as well try to get custom chips, but at the same time I'm unsure of what general costs would be for a set of roughly 600 semi decent chips. I think in my situation 600 chips would give us what we need for at least a few years worth of games before we decide to change our buy ins.

I'd love to hear any feedback (positive or negative) on if I'm approaching this in the right way or if I should consider something else, and just advice in general on where to start this journey.

Thanks in advance, people on this forum seem extremely helpful and knowledgeable so I feel like I've landed in the right place.

 

[warma]

Take your time.
Get samples.
Determine your budget.
The PCF 600 break-down is usually a good place to start, so your number is likely good.

For customs, there are plenty of options, from a highly likely Alibaba ceramic group buy in the near future to other ceramics to full custom clay or casino plastic.

It all depends on how you play and your personal tastes and priorities.

It’s fun. Take your time.

 

[DZPoker]

It’s fun. Take your time.

Where to start = making sure both of these remain true!!!

 

[Shaggy]

I'm willing to bet that if you go all out on customs right now... in a year, your tastes will change and you will want another... different set. Start slow, buy used. Maybe look into someones used set of "china clays." You should be able to upgrade your current dice chips for about 40c per chip... a 600 chip set will run you a couple hundred bucks. By buying used, you aren't going to see as much loss when you decide to sell... and you will decide to sell... perhaps in a few years.

The next step up imho is used casino Paulsons. This will run you as low as ~90c per chip for certain denoms... and as high as you are willing to spend depending on chip condition and scarcity... and popularity. You might consider jumping right into the used casino Paulsons. Nice thing about this step is you really aren't throwing money away. These chips hold their value really well... as long as you don't grossly over pay when you buy. You really don't have to get a 600 chip set, you can save a little by reducing your quantities in certain areas.

One challenge you will face is if want 10c or 25c denominations on the chips. For the china clays, this isn't a big deal. For casino Paulsons, dimes and quarters are pretty scarce and you will pay through the nose. Some people will use a non-denominated "roulette" chip for their fractionals, some will get custom labels, and others will use a $25 chip as a 25c chip.

 

[warma]

I'm willing to bet that if you go all out on customs right now... in a year, your tastes will change and you will want another... different set.

Yup. I see a lot of unused, never opened, multiple set chips in the classifieds.

Partly because the are so many creative folks here that come up with amazing ideas. Partly because folks unearth some stellar classics. All that gets the juices going.

I would keep tweaking my set if I could, redo a few elements.

Assuming the above rules (*get samples*) are followed, I honestly recommend planning and tracking for the next Alibaba group buy:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-artwork-us-can-cards-mold-2-the-quickening.62360/

At 30¢ a custom chip, it’s hard to pass that up. Your 600 set is under $200. Call it an option or prototype. If you love the chips, bingo! If you want to change the design, you’re not out much (assuming you can’t sell them). Once you have the design down and want to change up the material, you can order with confidence.

But when you surround yourself with great ideas, you may find yourself wanting more. I used to follow watch blogs and kept buying. I kept wanting more watches, falling in love with different elements. Once I realized I had enough and needed to stop, I quit following the blogs and ‘gram users. Basically, I traded that addiction for this one.

 

[Jambine]

@Camerasniper you could go custom ceramics and get exactly what you want right away for not a lot of money

 

[Shaggy]

@Camerasniper you could go custom ceramics and get exactly what you want right away for not a lot of money

If you like ceramics... as always, get samples.

 

[ConsensualPresidency]

+1 on *really* determine your budget. Saying “hundreds” doesn’t narrow it down well enough for others to give advice. $300 and $800 will send you in completely different directions.

+1 on get samples. This is your first order of business. There are some generalities (like dice chips are bad) but you need to feel what high end plastics vs. ceramics vs. china clay vs. CPC vs. Paulson feel like in your hands. Get standard 39mms as well as oversized 43/44mm. Tastes differ. Get enough to shuffle.

+1 on not jumping into a custom set. This is the last stage after determining what you want and playing with the chip creator tool for a good while. FWIW I spent two years essentially lurking on the forum before finally pulling the trigger on my forever custom set.

+1 on buying used. With a few rare exceptions (like paulsons from the chip room sales) anything bought new would be sold at a loss on here later. Anything purchased used on here will retain a lot more of its value if you go to sell it on here again later. Watch the classifieds, put out a wanted ad.

And lastly, dig into the pron. There are a lot of good posts/threads from years back that can serve as inspiration. Save pictures of stuff you like. Put in the time and you’ll know what you want without worry of buyers remorse.

...and don’t be afraid to reach out to ppl via PM, I’ve gotten some cool custom stuff made by just asking.

 

[Jambine]

I didn't get any of that from the OP. Buying to sell later is a VERY different undertaking than looking for a set to use in a home game.
That said, all the advice above is good.

Stay calm and get samples.....

 

[allforcharity]

There's free samples for evaluation available to members at the top of the Poker Chip General section.

Sounds like you'll be wanting microstakes. 0.05 or 0.10, plus 0.25 or 0.50, and a 1. This will likely be a "make your own" type of project since getting real fracs in any quantity is often expensive.

An interesting alternative might be looking for a set of tournament chips with T5, T25, and T100 chips, and then use as cash by dividing value by 100. That gives you nickels, quarters, and dollars.

 

[TheWhat]

Go slow, take it all in. The value and pricing will make sense at some point.

Your custom clays are like ~$1800, your custom ceramics could be had for ~$400. And a myriad of options, both below, and above. Samples will help for feel, and sound.

Lots of visuals here, take them in see what you like.

Think the Group Buys are probably the coolest part of this place, and it would appear there are at least a couple chances a year on ceramics.

Don't be afraid to shoot Members DMs, so many helpful people around here.

 

[Camerasniper]

Yup. I see a lot of unused, never opened, multiple set chips in the classifieds.

Partly because the are so many creative folks here that come up with amazing ideas. Partly because folks unearth some stellar classics. All that gets the juices going.

I would keep tweaking my set if I could, redo a few elements.

Assuming the above rules (*get samples*) are followed, I honestly recommend planning and tracking for the next Alibaba group buy:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-artwork-us-can-cards-mold-2-the-quickening.62360/

At 30¢ a custom chip, it’s hard to pass that up. Your 600 set is under $200. Call it an option or prototype. If you love the chips, bingo! If you want to change the design, you’re not out much (assuming you can’t sell them). Once you have the design down and want to change up the material, you can order with confidence.

But when you surround yourself with great ideas, you may find yourself wanting more. I used to follow watch blogs and kept buying. I kept wanting more watches, falling in love with different elements. Once I realized I had enough and needed to stop, I quit following the blogs and ‘gram users. Basically, I traded that addiction for this one.

Thank you so much for the input. Total dumb question here but how do the group buys work? Definitely seems like something I may be interested in.