[2_hotty]

Smitty007's thread inspired me to post something that I've been thinking for a little while now. I've actually typed it out a couple of times, but then deleted it because I didn't want to muddy up someone else's thread.

So here is my question. Am I the only one who thinks that home market Paulsons are waaaaaay overpriced??

Personally, I think that casino used (or even better, mint casino Paulsons) are much better to have, and to play with, then some mass produced home market chip. Depending on the set, you can get casino used Paulsons for around $1 each. This price seems right to me. What doesn't seem right is for home Paulsons to retail for $1+ each. They're easy to get, and made in the millions. So why are they so expensive?

I'm pretty much to the point where I not only think they are way overpriced, I think they're ridiculously way overpriced, and in turn, would never buy them. A buddy of mine was selling his home Paulsons and he asked if I wanted to buy them. I basically told him the same thing.

Now don't get me wrong. I like the chips quit a bit, I just think the price is way off. I mean custom clays aren't much more if you buy enough of them.

Am I alone in this?

[dajebriza]

Hotty,

I have bought many used casino Paulson's to date now, for $1 or more per chip...

But aside from a sample set or two, I have never paid near those prices for any large quantity of home use chips. So, I'm with you. I just don't think the fantasy sets are worth the prices they usually sell for.

And despite how many times the point has been argued, I still swear there is a quality and composition difference between the Paulsons made for a casino and the ones they release to the home market.

[Bano]

I agree. That is one reason I focus on collecting Casino Paulsons rather that Home Use Paulsons. I figured if I am going to spend a buck a chip why not get something that can retain its value over the years, just in case I have to cash it in later. I can see why poeple would go for customs, but that is a whole different story. I have some Pharaohs, and I can appreicaite the quality, but as you eluded to, at that price why not just go for the Real McCoys. Plus I like the added security features to the Casino Paulson.

[tomb1]

I have more than my share of collectible casino Paulsons. But those just don't make up playable tourney sets. That's why I've bought "retail" Paulson chips -- so I can get quantities and denominations I want. If the price is not too much over a buck apiece, I think that's reasonable for a good clay chip.

[develvjd-]

My abbreviated chip history:

1) Bought 11.5 g dice.
2) Thought "These suck. "

3) Bought fantasy Paulson set because they were readily available.
4) Thought "Why the hell did I just pay $1 each for fake chips when I can buy real ones for $1 each? "

5) Bought Casino Paulsons
6) Thought " "

[jdunford]

I agree, and I agree. That is, yes, fantasy clay chips (Paulsons, BCCs, ASMs, TRKings) are pretty expensive at > $1 / chip. Yes, retired casino chips are more secure (rare), prehaps made of better materials, etc. But it's a matter of working hard (time investment) to build a playable set of casino chips vs. throwing money at the problem and getting the quantity of chips of denoms you want NOW.

Also, keep in mind that some fantasy chips have retained their value, if not increased. Consider the 1998 Paulson "Casino de Isthmus City". They run at least $4-5 / chip in excellent condition... Starbursts typically sell for more than Cherries, even though they're similar except the Cherries were actually in casinos (but also tend to be in poorer condition).

Also, some fantasy chips that aren't produced in huge quantities could very well increase in value. Consider any line by Sidepot or Holdempokerchips. They're "custom" chips (BCC, Chipco, etc.) that only one person has rights to produce/sell, and they may not be produced forever, so in the end, they could be more rare than some retired casino chips. We'll have to wait and see if they appreciate in value...

* Just remembered TRKing "Deadwood" chips by Apachepokerchips... the manufacturer goes out of business and the chip prices skyrocket... It's hard to predict, but like any collectible, it comes down to supply and demand...

[dad604]

I agree that Paulson's home chips along with the other clay chips are overprice but it is what the market will bear. Personally, it is a luxury to have a clay set, otherwise the best bang for your bucks is something such as the faux clay. It service the purpose at less than 10% of the price.

[warewulf]

I don't own, and have never owned Paulson home chips. Not because I don't think they're nice chips, but because up until now I couldn't stand the advertising mold. I started to have hope when the suits mold came out, then the warp problems. I played a few games hosted by someone that had the Private Cardroom stamps. I really liked them, but at the same time would not buy because of the warping. However, if they didn't have the warping issues, I would be very tempted to get a set at the right price. So far, they're the only home paulsons I have even remotely liked.

An arguement for home Paulsons -- If you think about it, most of the casino Paulsons that have been available have been cash sets. If you only play cash games, fine. I usually host tournaments. They're aren't that many tournament paulson sets that are affordable. None at around $1 / chip either. So if someone hosts tournaments, casino Paulsons are not really an option unless they have a budget of more than $2+ / chip.

So if someone hosts tournaments, the home chips may be their only affordable Paulson option.

[rowlin]

Originally Posted by warewulf

An arguement for home Paulsons -- If you think about it, most of the casino Paulsons that have been available have been cash sets. If you only play cash games, fine. I usually host tournaments. They're aren't that many tournament paulson sets that are affordable. None at around $1 / chip either. So if someone hosts tournaments, casino Paulsons are not really an option unless they have a budget of more than $2+ / chip.

So if someone hosts tournaments, the home chips may be their only affordable Paulson option.

I agree with you 2_hotty, but use home Paulsons for this reason. Plus I really like the sound and feel of the JB mold, and the looks of the 25-1000 denoms.

I guess if I had known a year ago what I do now, I might have gone with PNY, but am happy with the JBs I picked up for .80 each. My only knock on them - other than the writing on the mold - is the color transfer issue, especially with the black and blue chips.

[MetalSlug3]

Originally Posted by warewulf

I played a few games hosted by someone that had the Private Cardroom stamps. I really liked them, but at the same time would not buy because of the warping. However, if they didn't have the warping issues, I would be very tempted to get a set at the right price. So far, they're the only home paulsons I have even remotely liked.

Sold my Private Cardroom set, and, to be honest, haven't regretted it for a second, in part due to the warping issue. The price is right, but they dropped the ball when it came to quality control on these. But, EVEN IF there weren't the warping issue, they wouldn't come close to a casino Paulson, imho.

Waiting on the Proteges, but if they don't really "wow" me, I'll sell them and likely be done with fantasy clay chips for the home market for good.

You can't beat casino Paulsons or TR Kings, as far as I'm concerned. Nothing else really comes close to being worth $1 or more per chip. Not a huge fan of the Samurais, but I do love that mold. We'll see about the Proteges, which others have argued are overpriced.

Needless to say, I totally agree with the general point of this thread.