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Manufacturer: Trademark
Retailer(s): (Prices are for 500 chip sets w/ cases): www.overstock.com - $115; www.gamblinghabit.com - $120; www.cardplayer.com - $113; www.discountcasinogear.com - $93; www.5stardeal.com - $113; www.apachepokerchips.com - $134
Average Price: 22 cents per chip
Material: Clay composite w/ a metal insert for weight/hotstamping.

From the same manufacturer as the 10g Faux Clay chips, these 13g Pro Clays are intended to be a step up from the Faux Clays in design and heft. They are injection molded, and do have the dreaded injection mold nipple. However, unlike the faux clays, the spots all match the chip color and they are a little less visible on the Pro Clays. They come in 5 colors and feature edge spots.

Price

These chips are affordable, but a bit more costly than the cheapest sets out there. A standard set of 500 (150 white, 150 red, 100 blue and 100 green) with a case, cards, and dice can be had for as little as $110 including shipping. Some of the companies that let you specify chip counts for the various colors charge a little more (in the range of $130).

These chips cost quite a bit more than their cousins, the Faux Clays, but they are also a more detailed and heavier design.

Feel

I really like the feel of these chips. In fact, that’s how I first noticed them at a tournament which had multiple sets in play. Based on the feel and appearance in comparison to dice chips, I decided to get a set. Without having felt the Faux Clays, I’m hesitant to say that they have the same feel. Ten’s bake-off results suggest that the Pro Clays are made of a material similar to the Nexgens, and they feel similar too. The surface is not textured or cross-hatched. These chips have a terrific solid feel to them due to their weight and material. They click together in a satisfying way when stacked.

Stacking

The Pro Clays are quite stable when stacked. Here’s what came out of multiple trials with my laboratory assistant (5 year-old son).

30 chips: Absolutely solid, will not wobble and won’t knock over with accidental bumps.

40 chips: The stack will wobble a bit due to chip rims that are not 100% flat. Still will not knock over from accidental bumps.

50 chips: Wobbly, but still relatively stable. Will remain stacked on a table with people moving around, but will fall over if bumped directly.

60 chips: Iffy, but still standing stall as a stack. Bumping the table can bring it down.

70 chips: Unstable

Sound

What can I say, they sound nice to me. They have a nice sound with no hint of the metallic insert. Compared to my previous set of weighted plastics, these have a much more solid and “clayish” sound to them.

Much to her annoyance, my wife can testify to the fact that I enjoy the sound and feel of these chips. I often fidget with a stack while watching TV, which for some strange reason she doesn’t appreciate.

Looks

There are several pros and cons in this department.

Pros:

• At first sight, it is obvious that these are not standard plastic chips.

• Edge spots. Single colors for each chip, all of which contrast nicely with the primary chip color. I find the single color spots used on the Pro Clays to be a particular strength since I want edge spots, but don’t like for my chips to be too “busy” visually. Another thing about these chips is that the rolling edge shows the edge spot plus some decorative diamonds, almost like a Bud Jones chip.

• On a similar note, the basic design of edge spots alternating with the word “Casino” molded into the rim is decorative, but not loud or obvious.

• The center areas of the Pro Clays are recessed and perfectly accommodate 1 inch labels for customization.

• The 5 chip colors are distinct from one another and easy to discern at the table, even in limited light.

• The color palette is relatively conservative and doesn’t have any neons (although the edge spots on the black chips are pink). While I view this as a positive, others may not.

• Similarly, the overall appearance of these chips is very natural. While the lines and designs of some plastic and high-end custom chips are so perfect and precise, the softer lines on these chips seem less like they were stamped out of a machine, although I realize they were. I like this, but you may prefer the perfectly sharp uniformity of the others.

Cons:

• Pro Clays are limited to 5 chip colors, which is plenty for me, but not enough for others.

• Each chip does have an injection mold nipple, and some are raised while others are not. I used a utility razor to shave down any that were raised. If you are using labels, they will cover the area of the nipple, but I would still recommend shaving them down first to avoid small bumps in the labels.

• Only after reading other reviews did it occur to me to look for an injection mold parting line on the chips. Due to good designing of the mold, the parting line is located around the circumference of the chip on the very edge of the rim. As a result, it is VERY difficult to see the line since it is right on the transition from edge to top of the chip. It appears that these edges may have been buffed down during manufacturing to eliminate any flash (extra material), making it that much harder to detect. All of that having been said, you can still find the line on most of the chips if you really, really look for it.

Security/Originality

While these are readily available online, I’ve only encountered them once at a tournament 2 states away. However, they are moderately priced, and certainly could be purchased by cheaters for use in a recurring game. As much as you might like to think your friends would never do that, never underestimate the depths of human nature (especially if you beat the guy on a regular basis). That issue is easily solved through the use of custom labels which can be had for as little as $30 for a set of 1000 (500 chips, front and back). As I briefly noted earlier, these chips are very well suited for labels, having a recessed center that fits 1 inch labels.

Durability

As with most composite chips, these are very strong. The surfaces do not mark easily, but can be scratched. They will not chip like clays. Ten has demonstrated that they will melt.

Reviewers Comments

I like these chips a lot and don’t anticipate changing to a different chip any time soon. They are affordable, yet have a great feel, sound and appearance. They are easily customized with labels for security and/or individuality. The understated colors and design suit my tastes very well, presenting as a quality chip without demanding attention.

Chip Pictures

Stock Pictures


My effort to recreate stock photos.


My set prior to labels.


With Labels.


Stacked 100 high.


Close-up