UV security for my Samurais

jdunford · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 02:30 PM

I've been thinking about doing this for a while: getting a UV marker and outlining (or drawing over) the samurai kanji on the black side of my Samurai Palace chips (at least my cash set; maybe my tourney chips, too, if I'm feeling energetic). The idea would be "for security", although honestly it's more of a novelty - to really complete the "Samurai Palace Casino" theme. Chances are no one else would ever know...

For those (n00bs) that aren't aware, most casino chips (e.g. casino Paulsons, among others) have UV-active security markings that look like this (borrowed images from various other threads without permission):

Here's are some (VERY OLD) other threads on the subject:
http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/poker-...t-markers.html
http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/chip-c...-pictures.html

What do you think? Am I crazy? (aren't we all?)

*EDIT* And in case you don't know what a Samurai is:

Big Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 02:33 PM

Not crazy at all. A good idea, if your cash games are for higher stakes.
Where does one get a UV marker?

jdunford · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Not crazy at all. A good idea, if your cash games are for higher stakes.
Where does one get a UV marker?

Some other threads talk about them. You can get them online. Just search CT for "ultraviolet" and you'll find a bunch of threads with links.

*EDIT* Actually, it wasn't as easy to find as I remember. Anyway, here's the link to a company that makes markers and detectors (black lights):
http://www.blacklightworld.com/security_kit.htm

palmimports · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdunford

Some other threads talk about them. You can get them online. Just search CT for "ultraviolet" and you'll find a bunch of threads with links.

*EDIT* Actually, it wasn't as easy to find as I remember. Anyway, here's the link to a company that makes markers and detectors (black lights):
http://www.blacklightworld.com/security_kit.htm

before we started using uv inks we used a pen- and it worked well on the vinyl BEFORE the lamintion was applied-
you can actually get UV ink pads- have a rubber stamp made of whatever you want and stamp the chips-- all pretty inexpensively
The uv pad/ink is under 10.00 and Im not sure what a rubber stamp thing costs but cant be much.
I think it's a great touch for great chips

Nexttime · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 03:18 PM

What's going to stop someone from marking the chip the same way you did and turning one in that they didn't get from you? If anyone is going to cheat you by purchasing the same chips you have, they aren't going to be stopped by a UV light. At some point they will know that you use a UV, they will examine the chip closeup outside of your game and figure out how to mark it in the same way.

jdunford · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexttime

What's going to stop someone from marking the chip the same way you did and turning one in that they didn't get from you? If anyone is going to cheat you by purchasing the same chips you have, they aren't going to be stopped by a UV light. At some point they will know that you use a UV, they will examine the chip closeup outside of your game and figure out how to mark it in the same way.

Again, I'm not that concerned about security. It's more for that "authentic casino feel". Maybe one day I'll have a black light in an otherwise fairly dark poker room in my house and there'll be a faint glow from the "security marks" on the chips that looks authentic...

As for security, most of my regulars had never touched a clay chip (other than "official 11.5 g real clay dice chips") before my Samurais. And I highly doubt they'd waste $1 US + shipping per chip on something that represents $5 Canadian ($25s are so rarely used for cash games it would be too obvious). But even if someone did go to the trouble, how do they know my chips have a UV mark? You're suggesting they've stolen chips from me in the past, happened to shine a UV light on them to see the mark, then purchased some, and then got the materials to reproduce that mark on them... Seems like a lot of time, money, and energy spent to steal a few bucks. Might even cost them more than they'd get out of it.

jdunford · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmimports

before we started using uv inks we used a pen- and it worked well on the vinyl BEFORE the lamintion was applied-
you can actually get UV ink pads- have a rubber stamp made of whatever you want and stamp the chips-- all pretty inexpensively
The uv pad/ink is under 10.00 and Im not sure what a rubber stamp thing costs but cant be much.
I think it's a great touch for great chips

Joe, do you know how permanent that pad-ink is; i.e. resistant to wear, washing, etc.? That sure would be faster than using a pen...

palmimports · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdunford

Joe, do you know how permanent that pad-ink is; i.e. resistant to wear, washing, etc.? That sure would be faster than using a pen...

originally we stamped the chips AFTER lamination- didnt hold up- came off fast. So we went with stamping the vinyl THEN laminating- this way it was impossible to take the lamination off without destroying the chip.
Then we went with a seperate ink cartridge with UV ink-

I dont think it will last unless perhaps you stamp the image THEN spray it with Krylon perhaps- or monkey juice-

jdunford · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmimports

originally we stamped the chips AFTER lamination- didnt hold up- came off fast. So we went with stamping the vinyl THEN laminating- this way it was impossible to take the lamination off without destroying the chip.
Then we went with a seperate ink cartridge with UV ink-

I dont think it will last unless perhaps you stamp the image THEN spray it with Krylon perhaps- or monkey juice-

I definitely don't want to spray my chips with anything. I'd be afraid it would wreck the great feel they have.

Since the Samurais have a highly textured inlay, I figure the pen (depending how much it's like a felt-tip marker, rather than a ball-point) might get right into the grooves, and then won't wear off very easily. The rubber stamp is probably more like a dry-ink, so I doubt it'd get right into the grooves unless I pressed very hard.

Nexttime · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdunford

Seems like a lot of time, money, and energy spent to steal a few bucks. Might even cost them more than they'd get out of it.

I understand where you are coming from. I have multiple sets of chips for cash games. One set is just for close friends and those chips are very nice but can be purchased elsewhere but I trust the players and they wouldn't stoop to anything like that. I have another set that is very hard to reproduce but possible (ceramic) and I have a completely custom clay set that is reserved for very special games. I've showed off the UV effect on the PNY's and the edge spots on the higher denominations always get ohs and ahs.