[GameShowMan]

Friends:

I have to say after reading this site for the last few weeks, I am thoroughly impressed with the creativity I have seen put into the various custom sets. I am in the process of putting together some money and ordering a custom set of my own. Of the various sets I've seen, I most like Tastic's "Chen Casino" cash game set (I REALLY dig the color matched inlays and the H-mold is very classy) and Damon's "underground card club" hot stamp set (the solid CA-colors with the red NCV, the TR King denomination stamps and the "DVH" initials). I also dig the "C U Next Tuesday" tournament set with its stark simplicity and super-stylish inlay. The combination of these three ideas have given me one of my own.

I want my set to be able to do both cash games and tournaments. I've always believed in versatility, and besides, it costs less money. My idea is for a CA-colored set used in a underground cardroom on a space station. My fictional club (the "Hyperspace Club") would have chips that look like what you might find if Rapture (the fictional underwater dystopian city from the recent Xbox 360 game BioShock) were in built in space instead of underwater.

My main concern is getting the most, best chips for the least amount of money. I like both of the two main custom chip makers, BCC and ASM, but BCC's site is a little...mangled...in terms of information available. So, I have a few questions to ask.

1) BCC or ASM? Ordinarily, I would be smart enough not to ask this; after all, I have observed that the most common answer would be to "get samples." I have a sample set I got awhile ago of Sidepot Gaming's lovely InPlay line which I really like, and as they're BCC-made chips, I would think it was safe to say they're fairly representative of their stuff. The real reason I ask is more of a cost issue. BCC's chips cost less but require massive art fees, while ASM doesn't charge for art but their chips are more expensive, especially for the more complicated (and cool) edge spots designs, which is something I want to incorporate into my design.

2) Inlay or Hotstamp? Again, primarily a cost issue, but also an aesthetic question based on my idea. Incidentally, I noticed on Tastic's tournament solids set that he got different colors of foil. Does either of the two companies offer multiple colors of foil, or would I have to look elsewhere for that?

3) Denominations or non-denominational? This is my biggest concern. Most of the books I've read on starting your own home game (Poker Night: WInning at Home, the Casino and Beyond by John "Killer Poker" Vorhaus and Real Poker Night by Henry Stephenson are the two big ones) suggest that you not get denominations on your chips, however most folks here have done just the opposite, partly because, well, they look cool, and because it's easier for folks to know what chips are worth that way. If I were to get denominations, I would get my chips in "credits." That is to say, that I would get tournament sized denominations and say that a credit was worth "1 cent" for one game, or "1 tournament chip" for tourneys. For your reference, I would get 25, 100, 500, either 2000 or 2500 (I would prefer 2500, since I use $25 chips on the job, but most of the CA-colored chips I've seen go for $20 instead), 10,000 and one or two NCVs for flexibility.

Those are my main questions. What do you guys think?

"Game Show Man" Joe Van Ginkel
captvangin@aol.com
gameshowman@gmail.com

[links_slayer]

Short answer: ASM, Inlay, Non-denom

I've had experiences with both ASM and BCC. BCC will never see another dime from me. ASM will continue to have my business. I won't bore everyone else with the details again, so PM me if you want to know more.

I don't know why, but I just like chips with inlays more. I'm not saying there aren't any good hotstamped chips out there. There are some beauties. It's just my personal preference.

Since you want to use the chips for cash and tourneys, you are definitely better off, IMO, going with non-denominated chips. I have 2 sets that are non-denom and 2 that have denoms. The group I'm playing with determines which set to use. Some people need the denoms. Others dont.

Welcome to ChipTalk

[2_hotty]

The answer to your first question is going to vary from person to person, based on their own experience. With that in mind, my answer is based on my own.

I agree with Links though:

ASM, inlay, no denoms

I just like ASM chips better. I have both, but I think ASM chips have a nicer feel to them. I'm not a huge fan of how hard BCC's are. ASM's quality is top notch also. There really isn't a worry that you will get some bad chips with an ASM order, and if you do, you get 5 extra of each chip to make up for it. Sorry to say that the same can't be said for BCC. YMMV of course, and I'm sure others will say that their personal experience with BCC was great, but it is a real concern with BCC.

I also think inlays just look better then hotstamps.

As far as denoms go, I think they look better, but your set will be more versatile without them. I just hate having to constantly tell people what the chips represent, and since I mostly play cash games anyway, denoms were a no-brainer for me. For a set that will be used for both tournet and cash, I think non-denom is your best bet.

[kmalsom]

I've dealt with both BCC and ASM. I have no problems with either one and think the decision has more to do with what you are looking for. There are some people who have had bad experiences with both companies, however a few more that have had bad experiences with BCC.

My experience with BCC has been great. They are a little more restrictive in what they will allow you to do, but we aren't really their primary market. With ASM, we are their primary market so they tend to provide better customer service. The customer service I received from both was good, but you do have to call BCC to get a timely response, where ASM does good with email.

With BCC remember that you can only get the flame mold, or HPC's semi-custom T-molds. You can also order customs through sidepot on thier molds. ASM has a lot more molds available, and some of them are genuine classic molds.

I'd get samples of the mold that you are looking at, as they all feel slightly different (especially compared to the In-Play's). ASM will send you a couple sample chips free, with BCC and HPC you'll have to order a small sample set.

[wafflestomper]

I can't help on the ASM BCC debate but I do much prefer an inlay to hotstamped (really don't care for hotstamped at all).

I love having the denoms on the chip. Yes, you don't have as much versatility, but I don't need it. I have a tourney set of $5, $25, $100, and $500 chips. When we want to play cash, the $25 represents a quarter, the $100 a dollar, and the $500 - $5. We don't play for big stakes, so this isn't an issue. Every single person I've played with much prefers to have the denom on the chip as opposed to without it...

[jldecarlo]

I have no experience with BC, but I've had positive experiences (several) with ASM. You sometimes have to be very patient, though. If you want reliable, quality chips and quick turn-around, go Chipco. BC seems to be geting better, but YMMV.

I like custom hotstamps almost as much as inlays, but Pokerchips.com (ASM) doesn't do custom hotstamps. Non custom hotstamps don't do much for me.

Denoms. Absolutely. The set is more versatile, but that's just an excuse to buy more chips. If you don't feel that way (and a lot of non-CTers don't), then non-denominated chips work just fine. They're just not as cool.

So, IMO: ASM, inlay, denoms with a bit of a waffle on the denoms.

L

PS I think that I should add that I would like to get a set of Blue chips. I just wouldn't get BCs for my first set. The three-color quarter pies, for example, are really awesome.

[jdunford]

I've had good experiences with both ASM and BCC chips, and I own sets of each. In addition to what others have said:

Don't assume InPlay chips are representative of BCC. For one, that mold ("cigar & snifter") isn't available to the public. It's a "smooth" mold (no texture). BCC's standard "flame mold" is completely different: 1" recess, and a textured outer region. Also, if you opt for "heavy weight" chips (9.5-10g each), they'll be significantly heavier and have a lower-pitched sound than the InPlays.

There's another BCC option (besides the "flame mold"): T-mold chips from HoldemPokerChips.com -- either solid (like tastic's hot-stamped set) or the new "semi-customs" (see link). However, there's a 15¢/chip premium to use that mold (on top of BCC's fees), and you don't have full freedom to pick your colour combos/spots; must use those shown in that link (but you put whatever artwork you want for the inlays).

If you're getting a smaller set (say, < 800 chips) and LOTS of denominations (25 - 10,000), it will be much more affordable to go with ASM. If you're getting >1000 chips and only 4 or 5 denominations, then I might recommend BCC, but with some warnings. If you decide to go that route, PM me and I'll give you some recommendations to avoid disappointment.

So, like everybody else, I'll say:

ASM, with inlays
I prefer denominated, but it's your set, so do whatever you want.

*EDIT* If you decide to go the hot-stamp route, AFAIK ASM only offers gold stamps. BCC usually only offers gold as well. However, HoldemPokerChips.com has been doing various colours for people, but no longer does custom stamps. That is, you're restricted to their stock dies (including non-denom "Samurai", "Ankh", and "Apples", as well as some denominated tourney and cash dies, and initials (up to 3 letters)). Also, last I heard, ASM doesn't do custom hot-stamps; just stock denoms or initials (3 letters). If you want a custom hot-stamp die, you'll have to go through BCC on their "flame mold".

Originally Posted by jldecarlo

The three-color quarter pies, for example, are really awesome.

Never heard of them... They don't exist...
(well, ok, maybe I have "heard" of them)

[GameShowMan]

Originally Posted by jldecarlo

If you want reliable, quality chips and quick turn-around, go Chipco. BC seems to be geting better, but YMMV.

Thank you guys for all the advice. I do appreciate it.

JLDeCarlo's comment above brings up another question...

4) Chipco, Nevada Jacks, BR Pro or ABC Chips and Gifts? I still remember playing my first game of cardroom poker some years ago: $2-4 Hold'Em at the Pechanga, the largest Indian casino in the area. They had just opened their new room, which at the time was quite a bit nicer than the Commerce (the Commerce's recent renovation has caught up and even surpassed Pechanga's luxury by quite a bit). Pechanga's chips were (and I believe still are) Chipco ceramics, and I remember liking them quite a bit. I would not mind one bit getting a set of good ceramics, especially since it seems like a lot of the better ones might be even be cheaper than the more traditional chips. I know that ABC is one of the big favorites around these parts, and I have to admit, their replicas of the WSOP (both the 2006 and 2007 versions) are awesome.

"Game Show Man" Joe Van Ginkel
captvangin@aol.com
gameshowman@winning.com

[ovo]

Originally Posted by jdunford

*EDIT* If you decide to go the hot-stamp route, AFAIK ASM only offers gold stamps. BCC usually only offers gold as well. However, HoldemPokerChips.com has been doing various colours for people, but no longer does custom stamps. That is, you're restricted to their stock dies (including non-denom "Samurai", "Ankh", and "Apples", as well as some denominated tourney and cash dies, and initials (up to 3 letters)). Also, last I heard, ASM doesn't do custom hot-stamps; just stock denoms or initials (3 letters). If you want a custom hot-stamp die, you'll have to go through BCC on their "flame mold".



Never heard of them... They don't exist...
(well, ok, maybe I have "heard" of them)

You can also check with SuckOutKing about custom hotstamping of T mold or Hourglass mold chips.

[whataboutj]

I have dealt with POL/ASM and can say they do top notch work and have great customer service. I also own a set of T-molds and will say with confidence that when they "break in" they are like butter. I know that doesn't help a ton with the manufacturer but it's another opinion for you

There is also a new clay chip maker on the horizon if I understand it correctly - Nevada Jacks

I am not sure if they will offer custom clay chips but it may be worth waiting to see

As for denom/NDM - I say denom with no dollar signs. I have 1000 chip set that way and it works. I use the T25 as a $.25 - T100 as a $1 -T500 as a $5 and T1000 as $10

as for inlay or hot stamp - too hard to say as they both are awesome. For the theme you mentioned I think an inlay would be better though

Looking forward to seeing what you go with