Gonna order a backup set - Faux Clay or Super Diamonds?

Limit Breaker · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 04:29 PM

I'm torn between the two for a budget plain chip as a backup to my (soon to be) Paulson JBs.

A friend recently gifted me one of these cheap Walmart Bee chips.

To be honest, they are not terrible even if they are light and hard. Far better than the crap dice chips. I think it's pretty clear that the Faux clays are better than the Super diamonds in every way. However, I really like the diamond design on the SDs much better. So as long as the Super diamonds are slightly better than the Bee chips, I might get a set. Any advice?

seymour · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 06:38 PM

I haven't held any of those Bee chips in my hands, but I was completely unimpressed with the Super Diamonds. They felt so plastic-y and cheap, I was expecting them to be closer to the faux clay with a different design. They are pretty slippery, too.

For something cheap, I'd defintely get faux clay, or the Sopranos six stripe chip (too bad the colour selection on those aren't as good). The better design on the super diamonds doesn't make up for the feel, IMO.

omar · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:06 PM

Interesting that you are looking at this. I am presently doing the exact same thing. Even though I have 900 NJ Desert Sands and 875 Pharoahs, I have decided that I need to get a better tournament set (I mean for multiple tables, like 3-4). I have about 1600 custom labeled Dice chips for that purpose now, but the pics posted the other day of the labeled ASM HH chips is solid colors really got me to wanting a set of solid color chips. So between that and what amounts to boredom, I decided to upgrade the Dice chips. I read up here about the differences between the Fauxs and SD and really could not get a clear picture about the details regards custom labeling each of these chips. I have order samples of each color of each chip, and also some sample label stock from rippedsheets.com that is the same as what Cin0s3 just completed the GB on. I already have lots of leftover "regular" labels so I plan to label a few of the samples up to see how they stack up (pun not intended, but valid).

So, I suppose that I haven't really told you anything useful, but I will have some better information in a few days after I get a chance to evaluate these chips.

By the way, I too think that the Fauxs will excel, but I hate the dice on the mold just like you.

Limit Breaker · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omar

By the way, I too think that the Fauxs will excel, but I hate the dice on the mold just like you.

Yup. I'm so sick of seeing that damn dice design. The ring of diamonds on the SDs look so much nicer.

BTW, at 5stardeal, you can get SDs and Faux Clays hotstamped for 5 cents more. I too am looking for a 1000chip tournament set and I might go this route.

SteveA · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:37 PM

I've never felt either chip, but like you I prefer the looks of the super diamond a lot more.

ahopen78 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limit Breaker

I'm torn between the two for a budget plain chip as a backup to my (soon to be) Paulson JBs.

A friend recently gifted me one of these cheap Walmart Bee chips.

To be honest, they are not terrible even if they are light and hard. Far better than the crap dice chips. I think it's pretty clear that the Faux clays are better than the Super diamonds in every way. However, I really like the diamond design on the SDs much better. So as long as the Super diamonds are slightly better than the Bee chips, I might get a set. Any advice?

My Pharaohs and ASMs should be arriving next week, so I have no more use for my faux clays. PM me if you are interested in purchasing them. i have ~700 and I think 300 are still wrapped.

alfunfinder · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 08:57 PM

Go with the faux clay chips. I have a set and they are much better than the comp. chips or i.m.h.o. the sd's. The sound good and stack well. they don't slide around much either. Personally i like the simple muted colors too.

Dudlee74 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 09:49 PM

I have 1500 of the SD chips that I had purchased long before I found chiptalk.net. I thought they were the bomb when compared to the cheap set of 11.5 grmmers I had, but am now wishing I could turn back the clock and get some of these Faux Clay chips. There are so many good things said about them, but I have labeled most of my SD's and would hate to have to go through all that again with another set of chips.

tomb1 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 10:14 PM

Assuming you want non-denom chips...
and assuming you want a low price...
and assuming you do not want 11.5g with metal inserts...

Here's my opinion based on the 9 bargain chips I have 20+ samples of each. (Links are to 5-Star and their product numbers.)

1. I think the faux clay Deluxe Dice (DD)
http://www.5stardeal.com/deals/10Exp...ctCode=10-1600
and the faux clay Super Diamonds (SD)
http://www.5stardeal.com/deals/10Exp...ctCode=10-1010
are basically the same. Most people refer to the DDs as the "faux clays" but both chips are the same material, and both cost about 6¢ after the usual discount.

2. The texture of the DDs is a little more cross-hatched, while the SDs have a finer texture. The texture makes them feel like they grip your fingers, but they are both very hard plastic. The SDs are a little bit more slippery, though I still say the DDs rate as slippery. They'll both stack moderately well.

3. The DDs sounds a little "better" IMO, a little deeper. Not by much, but a little.

4. I personally like the looks of the SDs better, but the the DDs look more like a higher-end poker chip with a wider rim and a round inlaid center. I can see why lots of people prefer them over the SDs, though they are both REAL plain-looking.

5. The injection mark on the DDs is terrible (though it's better on some colors than others). The SDs have a much more subtle mark.

---> So between these two, I would get the faux clay Deluxe Dice, by a nose.

BUT HOLD ON.... I think the best bargain-priced chip is the 10g Sopranos 2-stripes
http://www.5stardeal.com/deals/10Exp...ctCode=10-1051
They cost 2/3 more than the faux clays, but they're still only 10¢ apiece. They are MUCH better than either faux clays IMO.

The looks are head and shoulders above the faux clays -- the Sopranos have edge stripes that simulate clay inserts, and decorative markings around the inlay. Stacked up, there's no comparison.

The material of the Sopranos is much more like clay. It's softer to the touch, and the chips stick together much more than the hard plastic. They can get some scuff marks from wear (unlike the hard bomb-proof plastic of the faux clays) but to me this just adds character.

They're heavier than faux clays, but still no metal insert. The sound of the Sopranos is better, too.

To me, the faux clays are the high end of all "plastic" chips, but the Sopranos are at the low end of "real" chips. Does that make sense?

Just my 2¢... your mileage may vary.

Limit Breaker · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 10:38 PM

Thanks tomb!!! Very nice write up. But even for denominated chips, the Super Diamonds can be had for 11 cents apiece from 5 star. You can go all the way up to the monstrous $10,000. That's something to consider for people getting Faux clays or SDs to put labels on them or for tournament.

For example. 600 Super Diamond chips hotstamped gold on both sides only costs $66 total. Rougly $10 for each 100 denominated chips.