Help a noob out - ChipTalk.net

The Mind Reader · #1 01-22-2007, 04:06 PM

Hello all,

I'm planning entering the world of owning "good poker chips" and I'm not quite sure where to start

I have these chips:

You know, the chips that everyone and there mother has. I hate them. I hate the feel, I hate the sound, I hate the weight, I hate how thick they are. And I only have 400 of them... in only 4 colors. I ran out of chips in the last rebuys allowed tournament I hosted! So I want to buy a set of 500 "real"/"good"/whatever you want to call it chips to replace them with (and get at least 5 different colors). But I'm so overwhelmed with all the options out there I don't know where to start!

I'm mostly being drawn to ordering a set of faux clays, which it looks like I can find at various places from around $40-$60 shipped for a set of 500. I think I'd be generally happy with those, as it seems like the are very close to the casino feel, sound, and weight that I am looking for.... however, I would really prefer something with edge markings.

So basically, can anyone recommend the "next step up" if you will.... clay chips that I could get a set of 500 for around $100-$120 shipped? Are there even any clay chips that inexpensive? If not, what is the best chip in that price range (around 20 cents a chip)?

Any recomendations you could give me would be every so greatly appreciated.

THANKS!!

cowboys · #2 01-22-2007, 04:08 PM

GET SAMPLES!!!!

Good luck,
cowboys

noelsarchs · #3 01-22-2007, 04:14 PM

ahhh the process of discovery....

FYI, there is no such thing as a good clay chip where you can get 500 for $100. They don't exist. A good clay is a Paulson or ASM and those will cost at least a buck each or more.

Never seen a faux clay in my life, but the next best thing for that price is the Michael Graves 3 color set at Target. If I had blindfolds on and heard them, I honestly could not tell the difference from just the sound alone.

hachkc · #4 01-22-2007, 04:15 PM

Real clay chips (aka compression molded) will start around .50ea so those are probably out. PalmImports (see Marketplace forum) has some clay style chips from China that are less than .50ea but probably more than .20ea. The FCN will probably be by shortly to extol the virtues of the soon to be extinct faux dice clay chip and those retail for less .10ea but stack, sound and feel like real clay but don't look like much.

As someone set, get samples. Also checkout the "pure clay" chips from www.thechiproom.com. The are not caly but are one of the better, cheaper chips on the market.

Harlequin011 · #5 01-22-2007, 04:15 PM

Since this is one of the better first posts that people can have I feel inclined to help you out.

Clay chips with edgespots are going to be pretty hard to get a hold of. More likely someone else would scoop them up.
Fauxs are an excellent alternative and a good starting point for your next big set.

And yes I do mean next. As you are likely to get stricken.

noelsarchs · #6 01-22-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlequin011

And yes I do mean next. As you are likely to get stricken.

And you might soon need one of these as well...

Mike Sears · #7 01-22-2007, 04:29 PM

I'll second the motion on Thechiproom's real clay. At $0.25 a chip you can't do better and Jim Shafer is a great guy to deal with.

You might try looking at member to member sales on Market Place for some good deals but you'll never get good clay chips at 500 for $100.00.

Please don't post anymore pictures of dice-mold metal slug chips or you'll make a lot of CTers sick.

Deep Felt

smoore · #8 01-22-2007, 04:33 PM

If edgespots are a neccesity, check out palmimports.com new compression chips.

If edgespots aren't a neccesity, check out the t-mold blanks from holdempokerchips.com

The PI chips are made in china and can be labeled with custom artwork. The t-mold chips are a high-quality mold made by the bluechip company. Both sites mentioned are sponsors here at ct.net and have forums in the "marketplace" section.

Both of these options are outside of your budget. What I would suggest is putting together a smaller set with a well-thought out breakdown that you can easily add to later.

There are some really good threads on smaller chipsets in the Chip Breakdowns forum under Home Game Advice. Once you get an idea of what you can afford, feel free to create a new thread for critique and tweaking. Describe your game to get good responses.

edit: I just read the thread about the "china clays" that thechiproom.com is offering. I'd say you definitely have to check those chips out, sounds right up your alley.

cowboys · #9 01-22-2007, 05:13 PM

If you want edgespots, thechiproom's china clays are definitely the best looking chip for the money. I would suggest also getting samples of faux clays, super diamonds, nexgens, monacos and see if any of those would work for you, and what you like/dislike. They would all be within your budget. Then save your $$$ for a higher end set later, when you're more sure of what you want.

cowboys

Brewster · #10 01-23-2007, 03:08 AM

You are looking in the right place. The Faux Clays are excellent chips that should sate that desire for compression molded clays (for a little while at least). I would order the Fauxs without hesitation and start saving some money for your dream set. If you are dilligent about squirreling away some cash each month, you should be able to afford that killer set of Paulsons you've had your eye on.