[jamby]

Hey Guys,

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for awhile and really enjoy the forum.

Right now I've just got basic chips. I started with the 200 composite chip carousel. Then added the Phil Hellmuth set last Christmas (which is really a pretty decent, quality set of what I believe are ceramic Tournament Pro Series chips). Those chips are super slick though and get dropped all the time by folks in my home game.

I recently added a set of NJ dead man chips, but I'm kind of disappointed in them. Not the feel so much as the somewhat blurry images.

Now I'm ready to add something new and am considering the following:

Paulson Top Hat and Cane clay chips - they seem to be readily available at decent prices. Even overstock.com has the 1000 piece set for $999.

Chipco 'the Egyptians' set including the octagons and plaques that I've only found available at http://www.holdempokerchips.com/ for $799. Really gorgeous, but more ceramic chips? I'm not so sure that's the route to go. Really unique though.

Maybe something customized???

I've also thought of creating my own set from samples and getting a nice mahogany case to house them.

I'm really just looking for ideas.

Thanks,
jamby

[jldecarlo]

The easy answer to this is to get samples of the chips you are interested in. Then you decide.


L

[jamby]

OK, then, how about ideas on which chips to purchase samples of?


Thanks!

[SteveA]

I originally bought a set of good quality james bond chips, but I regretted not getting customs. I ended up buying some ASM's...there's nothing like having something personal on your chips...

Check out my ASM's: www.homepokertour.com/graphics/asm_chips_handled.jpg

If you like clay chips, check out:

www.pokerchips.com
www.trking.com
and the blue chip co. (no website).

[jldecarlo]

If you are willing to go $1 per chip, then you have lots of excellent options.

Look at www.holdempokerchips.com and www.apachepokerchips.com for chips that are readily available. I would look at the pharos, the chipco egyptians (although you don't sound like a ceramic guy), the mardi gras clays, the samauris at the holdem, and the Key west chips and the deadwood chips at apache. Apache also has pharos as well as paulson james bond and classic (but I don't like those as well).

If you want customs, your best bet is www.pokerchips.com and custom clays.

Of these, pick the ones you like and order a few samples.

L

PS www.homepokerchips.com has custom chipcos and www.nevadajacks.net has nice chips as well (nevada jacks clays and martini club clays) as well as custom ceramics.

[jamby]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm on my way to the sites you have both recommended.

Cheers.
-jamby

[Oldcycles]

I am just going to tell you what I did.

When I came here a few months ago I knew nothing about chips.
I read and read and then read some more, then I asked questions and read some more.
Make sure you read the guides and reviews on this site.

Then I started getting samples from everywhere, mostly second hand from members.
I can't tell you how important samples are because what you think you like or want will change as you recieve the samples.
Do not just get 1 sample either get sets so you get a better feel for the chips.
Yes they get expensive the more you buy but it will be worth it and you can always resell them if you want to get most of your money back.

I still do not know what I want my 1 or 2 permanant sets to be, but I am pretty sure I am leaning towards customs and they will not be cheap because of the amount I might be getting.

So in the mean time I got 2,500 Faux Clays that in my opinion are better than 85% of the chips out there and only cost .05 each. I will make custom labels for these and will not be ashamed to use them.

As time passes and I get nice tables and see how my game grows and if I even want to keep dong this I will have my design done and know who I want to make my chips.

Hope this helps.

[jamby]

Originally Posted by Oldcycles

Hope this helps.

Thanks for detailed posting, Oldcycles. It really has helped and I appreciate the time you've taken to respond.

I've read most of the reviews, both here and elsewhere and have ordered the chip samples so far from apache.

I don't see a section here for member to member sample sales. Am I missing something or is it just buried somwhere else.

Also, regarding the faux clay chips that you and so many others are fond of. From what I've read, they are no longer being made. Are they still available anywhere that you know of? I'm definitely confused by what I've read so far.

Thanks again,
-jamby

[Oldcycles]

Originally Posted by jamby

Thanks for detailed posting, Oldcycles. It really has helped and I appreciate the time you've taken to respond.

I've read most of the reviews, both here and elsewhere and have ordered the chip samples so far from apache.

I don't see a section here for member to member sample sales. Am I missing something or is it just buried somwhere else.

Also, regarding the faux clay chips that you and so many others are fond of. From what I've read, they are no longer being made. Are they still available anywhere that you know of? I'm definitely confused by what I've read so far.

Thanks again,
-jamby

I just posted in the want to buy section for samples, but be careful and make a list of samples you want and prices at the various sites so you know their value because many people will try to sell you samples for the same or more than you can buy them for new.
I bought them in bulk from anyone willing to sell them for about 75% of new cost that way I saved some money.
if you do buy from a retailer try to buy the majority from one so you save on shipping.
I have probably spent $200.00 on samples but if I decide to sell them down the road I will be happy if I get $150 back but it is well worth it when you look at spending thousands then find out you have custom chips no one wants and you don't like.

If you go with a mass produced chip then you know you can resell and recoup your money.

You can still get plenty of Faux clays with 5star being the cheapest but buy all u want now because when they run out they are gone. Yellow will be the hardest to get and cost you more but there is still some out there.
Also used ones are on sale all the time.

[jamby]

I found a couple of sample sets as 5star that include the faux clay chips. I ordered them per your recommendation. Thanks again for the excellent information.

-jamby