[MetalSlug3]

Recently, there has been discussion on Chiptalk about the quality of Matsui chips and the quality of ceramic chips in general. Apparently, some of this discussion has been inspired by group interest in several WSOP themed chips. I have followed closely and even participated in some of this discussion.

To develop a more informed opinion of some (not all) of the current WSOP themed options, I've recently ordered sample sets of the following: the Matsui Zens, the "World Poker Series" (WSOP replicas by ABCgiftsandawards), and the "Horseshoe Series" (Binions Tribute also by ABCgiftsandawards).

Much to my surprise, I find the ABC ceramics FAR MORE IMPRESSIVE than the Matsuis. As has been noted by others in a recent thread, the Matsuis feel a bit too "dicey" and slick, at least to me. The ABC ceramics look fantastic and feel, well, as good as a ceramic can possibly feel; they have a nice weight and stack well also. Also, both of the ABC options present, at least to me, a more authentic WSOP style, more reminiscent of the actual chips used in past Main Events.

Of course, this is merely my opinion. People should get samples and judge for themselves.

If I might share my own dilemma with this chip purchase. . .I've always thought it would be cool to have a WSOP style chip set, with those cool looking higher denominations. YET, it seems to me that having a set of these--ultimately, for the purpose of using higher denomination chips--only really makes sense if one hosts larger sized tournaments. And the truth is that I don't host a large tournament or see myself doing so in the near future.

I should mention that I don't as yet own a set of Paulsons. I do though have a set of Proteges on the way. So, I'm thinking I'm going to pass on the WSOP themed chip set (in part for the reasons mentioned above) in favor of buying a set of the new hotstamped Paulsons available through Apache. Bottom line: I just can't see myself pulling the trigger on a set of (WSOP style) ceramics, not when there are other appealing clay options beckoning.

In closing, I'd like to extend my compliments to ABCgiftsandawards for doing such an outstanding job with their WSOP themed chips. It is going to be very hard for me to resist purchasing these chips (with money I really can't afford to spend).

[billsrcursed]

I see your points here, but if I may add my 2 cents;

I ordered a small set (300) of Mr. Chips' replicas of the WSOP, (thanks Matt) knowing full well I will only be hosting 8 in a table tourney (I'm actually doing a 10 week "league" tourney using $50 to join and $20 buy-ins each week, the winner of the $400 being the one who accumalates the most points). I simply ordered my favorite 3 chips from the '06 WSOP; the 1,000 yellow chip, the 5,000 orange/grey chip, and the 10,000 black/gold chip. Although there will be alot of chips in play, you can ALWAYS structure your tourney based on players and chips. I feel that after much thought (and reading on chiptalk!!) I've come up with a pretty cool structure for a really fun tourney (bounty chip being worth 1/2 point). I, too, have read all of the differences between clay and ceramic and my suggestion would be to always order samples and ultimately go with what you like best, not what everyone else likes. They're your chips, and you have to live with them, for a while anyway, especially if you're married! At least that's what my wife told me. The most important thing is that no matter what chips you go with, have fun and enjoy the great game of poker!!

[warewulf]

I am biased towards clay, so my opinion is that you should go with the Paulsons since you don't yet have a set. The hotstamped Paulsons have really nice spots for the denoms you are going to want (25 - 1000).

Keep in mind though that I have a strong bias towards clay and pretty much made up my mind before looking at any of the options. As I have mentioned in the ceramic thread recently, I would prefer solid Paulson hotstamps with no spots over the nicest ceramics I've seen.

Of course, you should make up your own mind. Looks are more important to some. Feel is the most important to me.

The WSOP ceramics are really nice. The best I've seen are the vintage WSOP themed chips by ABC. Plus, I have never felt samples of the ABC chips, so I can't really give an opinion on these other than the looks.

The first set of decent chips I owned were the Suits Chipco's. I really liked playing with those chips. However, when I received my Kings Crown set, I never played with the suits again and ended up selling them.

Bottom line, like usual, get samples of everything and decide for yourself. Also keep in mind that there are going to be plenty of WSOP replicas (there's how many different versions now? At least 4 or 5), and I'm sure there will be plenty of new Paulsons in the future. Just figure out what you want right now, and save the others for a later purchase, might even be able to get a deal on your second choice in MTM.

[BettorGolfer]

great thread. I did purchase a set of the 2005 Chipco WSOP. I love them. the weight, feel, sound etc. Awesome. The only drawback is the edge spots not being aligned. If Chipco started doing that, wowza.

I have a set of 700 chips, from 25 up to 100,000. I have yet to put the 10k plus into play. I have the chips for up to 25 people, with starting amounts of 10,000. Someday, I will host a tourney that big. Someday.

I also got a sample set of the Horseshoe series chips by ABC. The are nice, and feel good. Don't seem to have the same "heft" as the Chipco's, but still nice. The only Matsui's I have tried were the Murphy's Cardroom that I got from Hold Em poker chips. They look awesome but are very slick, and slide all over the place.

Anyways, don't have much more to say, just wanted to add my .02 to this thread also.

[hachkc]

I think one of the allures of the Matsui's was the true BJ like looks plus the fact that there are almost no high quality plastic style chips like BJ in the market today.

[Schnizz]

Originally Posted by hachkc

I think one of the allures of the Matsui's was the true BJ like looks plus the fact that there are almost no high quality plastic style chips like BJ in the market today.

That's my take as well. It looks to me like when it comes to a WSOP set, the tradeoff you have to make is feel vs. looks. The ceramics look more like the real thing (in terms of the edgespot design) but the Matsuis feel and sound more like them. I can't say that one way is better than the other since I have done neither. Like so many things, I think it just comes down to personal preference.

[Clonexx]

I have a sample set of the Matsui Zens along with 10 of the red Zens. I have to say that I disagree with anyone who says they are "Dicey" or not high quality.

The quality is amazing, both graphically and feel/sound wise. After handling them for a bit, a lot of the original slickness disappears. They stack fine and shuffle fine.

There is also not a single home market chip that is like it. The chips may be plastic, but it is an extremely high quality plastic that you won't see in any other chip available to home users. The fact that they can have that Bud Jones look, and are a completely different type of material then the other 2 major home market competitors (Clay and Ceramic) make them a major draw to many people.

I just want to say that people saying the Matsui's are "Dicey" are far far off the mark. They are plastic, but thats about it. I think someone said the Matsui's respond to a magnet, so they may have a metal insert for weight, but the sound and feel of them is not affected by it whatsoever. If they have an insert, you can't tell unless you take a magnet to them.

Either way, get samples of the Zens if you can, or the WSOPs if you can't. If you are looking for a Bud Jones style chip, without trying to use ceramic or clay to emulate it, then the Matsui's are your only choice. And it is one choice I'm happy to have. I personally find the chips to be absolutely amazing.

[MetalSlug3]

Originally Posted by Clonexx

The chips may be plastic, but it is an extremely high quality plastic that you won't see in any other chip available to home users.

I just want to say that people saying the Matsui's are "Dicey" are far far off the mark.

My dominant impression when handling the Matsui Zen samples was NOT that they felt like "extremely high quality plastic" (although they very well may be the highest quality plastic).

And they did feel a bit too much like cheaper, plastic chips, at least to me. But, obviously, this is all very *subjective*.

I certainly don't wish to discourage people from getting Matsuis or ceramics for that matter. I strongly recommend people get samples and make up their minds for themselves.

[jldecarlo]

Originally Posted by Clonexx

I just want to say that people saying the Matsui's are "Dicey" are far far off the mark.

IMO "dicey" is exactly the word to describe the Matsui's and I personally couldn't imagine paying much more than about 30¢ each for them. But this is why getting samples is so important. Hold them yourself and form your own opinions.

L