Real Casino chips vs Custom vs Fantasy set.

Nanook · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 10:29 AM

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to get thoughts on buying a set of chips that were from a real casino vs buying a set of customs or a Fantasy set.

I personally have bought both real casino chips and Fantasy chips. I am considering a custom set now. My thinking on this whole topic is changing but I want to hear what others have to say. I will chime in after hearing some thoughts.

AB

Wylecoyo · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 10:42 AM

For what it is worth, I think the money you would have to spend to buy a playable set of real casino chips would go allot further toward a awesome set of fully custom chips. I know the real casino chips are nice and have value as collectibles; however, beyond the crappy plastic chips I have already unloaded I don't ever plan on getting rid of my nice casino quality chips so their collectible value really has no importance for me.

Rather than shell out a ton of money for used casino chips why not get brand new casino quality chips with the exact colors, denominations, graphics, feel, appeal, look, and overall design you want. For me, this route would be allot less stressful and allot more satisfying because you would get exactly what you want in every aspect (provided, of course, you are happy with a manufacturer other than Paulson or Bud Jones).

Shortly stated, why buy a used Mercedes when you could by order a brand new custom BMW for the same money?

jldecarlo · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 11:25 AM

As someone who has custom chipcos, fantasy paulsons (pharos) and recently purchased a small but playable set of Dune's casino chips, I agree with the comments about cost. I spent as much for 300 Dune's chips as I did for 1200 fantasy and custom chips.

I think it is unlikely that my customs of fantasy chips will go up in value, and it is possible that the retired casino chips will. However, the market may well have peaked, and they may be (relatively) worthless if the poker craze dies out. I bought them because I think they're cool, but they are FAR less practical than either of the other options.

Bottom line, nice fantasy chips are cheaper (in general) than customs and dramatically cheaper than casino chips.

L

gpc · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 11:36 AM

Depends what is important to you. If you want authentic casino looks and feel then you have to go with casino chips. If you want to save money, go the paulson fantasy chips currently avaiable and just ignore the mold. If TR King or ASM are good enough for you then you should go with customs.

warewulf · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 12:02 PM

I agree that customs are the way to go. I have fallen into the sickness of trying to piece together a casino set. It's a real pain and very expensive.

I have:
100 .25 cent Binions chips from the mid 80's.
300 $1 valid Binons chips
non matching $5 chips

My $5 chips are Paulson, but don't match, different texture etc.

Unless you're willing to spend $2+ per chip, you're better off getting customs.

PocketRocket · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 01:00 PM

My thought is that if you buy inactive or invalid casino chips for investment purposes, it would be foolish to use them for your games.

If you must duplicate as much as you can of the casino environment and must have casino chips (not just casino-grade) in play at your game, then consider it an expenditure, and there may be some additional return in the future.

If you must have live casino chips, then get them from a casino that is in reasonable proximity so that you can redeem them if you want (or if they're getting replaced).

Insofar as casino chips and eBay, I don't see where it's worth bothering with at this point; far too much of it is way overpriced and the market is poised for a correction at some point. (remember Beanie Babies).

And I won't even get started on how I feel about people paying a premium for current rack house chips ...

While the custom market has also shown dramatic increases in price recently, you're probably better off getting your own custom set with your own design (or one done for you), of the designs that I've seen on this site, there seems to be a lot more artistic effort put into them than many of the casino chips.

JM · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 04:03 PM

If you're planning on keeping them forever, and you have an idea of what you want for inlays, go with customs. If you ever want to resell them and recoup some of the expense, go with the retired casino chps.

jldecarlo · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warewulf

Unless you're willing to spend $2+ per chip, you're better off getting customs.

I wish I found mine for a mere $2 per chip.

L

dad604 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 04:42 PM

I think it would go like this.
1.Casino (still in operation) - You have real casino chips and you can always cash them back in. You have security.
2. Fantasy - Top quality chips, less costly than custom chips but no security.
3. Custom chips - Top quality with graphics of your choice, most expensive and you have security.

Bit more to this of course but I think that is the basics.

Wylecoyo · #10 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad604

I think it would go like this.
1.Casino (still in operation) - You have real casino chips and you can always cash them back in. You have security.

I don't follow the security logic in this - if you get them from an operational casino, what is to stop someone else from doing the same thing? The only way I would see this would apply is if the chips are from an operating casino but have been discontinued or if the casino in question is several states away from where you are playing and even then they could get them from EBay. I know this might seem like a stretch, but, for all intents and purposes, current casino chips are almost as readily available and as easy to obtain as fantasy chips.

You want security, custom is the only real way to get it.