Best Place to Source Inexpensive Cash Game Chips (2 Viewers)

[PokerPilot86]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to post this in classifieds, but I don't have the required 10 posts in order to do so.

I am toying with the idea of getting a decent set of 25c and possibly 50c chips for home cash games, but I don't want to break the bank. I'd love to support a forum member and buy a good quality used set, but I am also open to something new but inexpensive.

I'm really new to the chip game (limited past experience with a couple of relatively cheap sets), so I would love to rely on the experience and advice of the forum

If I was to go the route of buying new, which would be my best options. (Shipping to Ireland would be required)

And, if I was to go the used route, who, what and where? lol

I love ceramic, so that would be my first choice, although some classic-looking clays would go down a treat too. Quantity would be 300 or so.

Thanks in advance

 

[joepro]

Welcome to the forum, or as some of us call, "the sickness." Please check your wallet and all credit cards at the door. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

What kind of games do you play in? Most people consider 50 cent chips unnecessary, the money is better spent on more quarters or dollars. A good place to start looking is the website for Apache poker chips, the owner's name is Josh and he is a sponsor here. The classifieds are good also, but I recommend you propose what you want to buy on the forum before you actually buy it.

Have fun, welcome to the party.

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Shipping is the killer here, so my suggestion would be to look for a decent manufacturer (eg Sunfly) from a UK site. Maybe the Valentino, Lucky Dragon, or Ascona chips from PokerShopEurope.

https://pokershopeurope.co.uk/poker-chips

Hopefully a few of the UK members will chime in with better suggestions.

 

[rowlin]

I am no expert on buying chips in Europe, but recommend http://www.marlowcasinochips.com/ as a possibility.

 

[PokerPilot86]

Welcome to the forum, or as some of us call, "the sickness." Please check your wallet and all credit cards at the door. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

What kind of games do you play in? Most people consider 50 cent chips unnecessary, the money is better spent on more quarters or dollars. A good place to start looking is the website for Apache poker chips, the owner's name is Josh and he is a sponsor here. The classifieds are good also, but I recommend you propose what you want to buy on the forum before you actually buy it.

Have fun, welcome to the party.

Thanks you, joepro.

My aim is to have a regular 25c/50c home game, and possibly a 50c/1 or 1/2 in the future. A lot of the players who are interested in playing are completely new to poker, and don't want to jump into the higher blind games.

Shipping is the killer here, so my suggestion would be to look for a decent manufacturer (eg Sunfly) from a UK site. Maybe the Valentino, Lucky Dragon, or Ascona chips from PokerShopEurope.

https://pokershopeurope.co.uk/poker-chips

Hopefully a few of the UK members will chime in with better suggestions.

Thanks, CdnBeerLover. I appreciate the response. Going to look at a couple of those options!

I am no expert on buying chips in Europe, but recommend http://www.marlowcasinochips.com/ as a possibility.

Thanks rowlin! Going to check those out too.

 

[CdnBeerLover]

I am no expert on buying chips in Europe, but recommend http://www.marlowcasinochips.com/ as a possibility.

They have a retail site at http://poker.marlowcasinochips.com. One option I see there are the Pharaoh's Club China Clays (http://poker.marlowcasinochips.com/pharaohs.htm).

 

[CdnBeerLover]

My aim is to have a regular 25c/50c home game, and possibly a 50c/1 or 1/2 in the future. A lot of the players who are interested in playing are completely new to poker, and don't want to jump into the higher blind games.
.

Based on the above, I would look at getting 25c, 1, and 5 chips (to cover the 1/2 in the future). I don't see any use for a 50c chip in those games...just use 2x25c instead.

 

[mummel]

Don't waste $ on the 50c chips. Get 25c, $1 and $5. Also get some 5c chips for micro stakes games with family!

I haven't seen many euro denominated chips in case that was a concern.

What's your budget?

 

[Quicksilver-75]

Don't get 25c and 50c chips. It's a waste of money, really. Instead you'de be better served getting 25c/$1.
Just my 2c

 

[BGinGA]

I'd love to support a forum member and buy a good quality used set, but I am also open to something new but inexpensive.
....Quantity would be 300 or so.

My aim is to have a regular 25c/50c home game, and possibly a 50c/1 or 1/2 in the future.

First issue is your budget. How much do you have to spend? That is the primary driver that will determine what chips are available in your price range, along with how many chips are needed.

Second issue is your actual game requirements. How many chips will be needed to support the various games you wish to spread?

A 300 chip set is really too small side to support a single-table 25c/50c game. Assuming just 80BB buy-ins, 300 chips are needed to support 10 players, and that's just for the initial buy-ins:

8 x 25c = $2 each (80 chips total)
18 x $1 = $18 each (180 chips total)
4 x $5 = $20 each (40 chips total)
---------------------------------
30 chips each, totaling $40 (80BB) for each buy-in = 300 total chips. And that doesn't include any re-buys. Another 100 chips are needed (20 x $1 and 80 x $5) for up to 10 re-buys.

You really need at least 400 chips to support the 25c/50c game (500-600 would be better), and that doesn't include being able to later bump the stakes to 50c/$1, much less to $1/$2.

80 x 25c
200 x $1
120 x $5
-----------
400 chips

So the real question is how much do you have to spend, considering you will actually need at least 400 chips (or 600-800 chips, if wanting to cover higher stakes in the future)?

 

[Quicksilver-75]

Hmmmm....
At almost the exact moment I began contemplating selling my Silver Club majestic chips and MSK plaque cash set...

 

[Chicken Rob]

I am also gonna suggest getting .05 chips. A .05/.10 game with $20 buy ins (or euros) Is an awesome game. It lets you play deep compared to the blinds, and rebuy regularly, and not be in for a mortgage payment. You can still play a pretty big game at .05/.10.

This past thursday night I was in for $160 in our weekly .05/.10 game. Managed to make a comeback and finish only -$30.

 

[Chicken Rob]

In fact, out .05/.10 game plays with .05/.25/1/5 denominations.

Our .25/.50 game plays .25/1/5/20

and our 1/1 game plays with 1/5/20/100 denominations.

So a single set to cover all the possible stakes gets pretty big since you need 6 denominations.

Since you're looking to start out on the cheap, start with a small game, and just the chips you need to cover that game and maybe up one level. You can let cash play if it gets bigger until you get more chips.

 

[jbutler]

If you're looking for the smallest set to play .25/.50 through 1/2 big bet games (NLHE, PLO) comfortably - i.e., without having to make change frequently - with one table of 10 players, then I think the below is your true minimum requirement assuming 100 BB buy-ins:

80 (.25)
180 (1)
180 (5)
80 (25)
30 (100)

That's 550 chips. I'd at least go ahead and round up to full racks and go for a full 600-chip set.

100 (.25)
200 (1)
200 (5)
60 (25)
40 (100)

And honestly, that's still not optimal. You'll still be making change more than I'd be comfortable with during the game, but you can spread one table of .25/.50 through 1/2 with that set up without giant problems.

 

[upNdown]

If you're looking for the smallest set to play .25/.50 through 1/2 big bet games (NLHE, PLO) comfortably - i.e., without having to make change frequently - with one table of 10 players, then I think the below is your true minimum requirement assuming 100 BB buy-ins:

80 (.25)
180 (1)
180 (5)
80 (25)
30 (100)

That's 550 chips. I'd at least go ahead and round up to full racks and go for a full 600-chip set.

100 (.25)
200 (1)
200 (5)
60 (25)
40 (100)

And honestly, that's still not optimal. You'll still be making change more than I'd be comfortable with during the game, but you can spread one table of .25/.50 through 1/2 with that set up without giant problems.

I'd think playing .25/.50 with 10 players using 80 quarters would be a pain in the butt. But I'd have to be a jerk to reopen the "how many quarters" debate.

 

[jbutler]

I'd think playing .25/.50 with 10 players using 80 quarters would be a pain in the butt. But I'd have to be a jerk to reopen the "how many quarters" debate.

I routinely play 10-max $1/2 NLHE/PLO with 10 $1s and it's literally never been a problem.

I've never played 10-max .25/.50 big bet with 8 quarters per player, but I can't imagine it would be a giant difference and we're talking the minimum bank, not a comfortable bank.

 

[upNdown]

I was just being a dick. Of course it'll work. Look any any casino $1/$2 game and the average player probably has about 4 singles.

 

[Burke]

In fact, out .05/.10 game plays with .05/.25/1/5 denominations.

What chip breakdown do you use for this game? Mostly wondering how many 5cent chips are necessary.

 

[Burke]

Our .25/.50 game plays .25/1/5/20

and our 1/1 game plays with 1/5/20/100 denominations.

Would you mind providing these breakdowns as well?

 

[PokerPilot86]

Thank you for the responses, everyone.

They've certainly provided some food for thought.

Budget-wise, I'd probably be looking in the region of $150, but will certainly evaluate that if I find "the one".

I do like the idea of a 5c/25c/€1/€5 setup, but can already supplement the 1's and 5's with a set I already have. So, that would still leave the 5's and 25's.

I guess the nice thing right now is that I'm in no particular rush, and I can therefore take my time in finding the right set.

 

[mummel]

Thank you for the responses, everyone.

They've certainly provided some food for thought.

Budget-wise, I'd probably be looking in the region of $150, but will certainly evaluate that if I find "the one".

I do like the idea of a 5c/25c/€1/€5 setup, but can already supplement the 1's and 5's with a set I already have. So, that would still leave the 5's and 25's.

I guess the nice thing right now is that I'm in no particular rush, and I can therefore take my time in finding the right set.

With that budget, take a look at the MIlanos. Ive got 200 X 5c, 200 X 25c, 200 X $1, 160 X $5 and 40 X $25. You can scrap the $5s and $25s if you dont play $1/$1. I've never used those chips. They were a bit of a waste. If I had to do it again, I would get $5 plaques for rebuys.

 

[Chicken Rob]

What chip breakdown do you use for this game? Mostly wondering how many 5cent chips are necessary.

The set I went with for a .05/.10 game had the following breakdown:

100/200/200/80/20

For denoms:
.05/.25/1/5/20

These fit in a nice 600 chip birdcage. Our game is small but plays deep, and this set has never failed us. Total bank $1055.

As for other breakdowns I defer to @jbutler for cash game breakdowns.

 

[Chicken Rob]

With that budget, take a look at the MIlanos. Ive got 200 X 5c, 200 X 25c, 200 X $1, 160 X $5 and 40 X $25. You can scrap the $5s and $25s if you dont play $1/$1. I've never used those chips. They were a bit of a waste. If I had to do it again, I would get $5 plaques for rebuys.

We play .05/.10 and our $5s come out every week, and our $20s come out occasionally. Which denoms you play is going to be group dependent.

 

[Anthony]

Welcome to the forum! Given your budget, I'd look at Chinese clay Pharoah's, or milanos. Both great chips for the low price point at around 30-40c per chip. However, given that you mentioned you do like ceramics I'd suggest you consider looking at nile club, which look great (imo) and have the lower denominations you'd require for your cash game.

 

[upNdown]

We play .05/.10 and our $5s come out every week, and our $20s come out occasionally. Which denoms you play is going to be group dependent.

I keep telling mummel that all you need to do to get $5's out is to get some damn $5's out, but he mumbles something about moar and goes back to building stacks of $1's.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I keep telling mummel that all you need to do to get $5's out is to get some damn $5's out, but he mumbles something about moar and goes back to building stacks of $1's.

We play 6 handed most nights. Rebuys are typically in small denoms for the first 2 per player, then the 5s come out.

I prefer volume, so I always take another starting stack if available. Others prefer high denoms, and rebuy with $5s. But you're totally right, $5s can come out any time. I only recently broke them of the habit of including $5s in the starting stacks of $20. I think that was premature and led to too much change making.

 

[GoStumpy]

I have a rack of Motor City Quarters that I would sell for $220 + actual shipping cost, it's enough for a .25/.50 game for a single table of people... then use $1's from the Horseshoe Cincinatti sale from The Chip Exchange, and you're set!

100 - 0.25
200 - $1
100 - $5

$220 for quality Paulson quarters (Legit quarters are hard to find)
$138 + shipping for the $1's
$69 + shipping for the $5's

Would be plenty to get you started, then add more $5's on as you go.

I currently have 320 $0.25 chips, and I rarely dip into the second rack of them, I only have so many so that I can have 16 players with a barrel each on 2 tables

 

[Chicken Rob]

I have a rack of Motor City Quarters that I would sell for $220 + actual shipping cost, it's enough for a .25/.50 game for a single table of people... then use $1's from the Horseshoe Cincinatti sale from The Chip Exchange, and you're set!

100 - 0.25
200 - $1
100 - $5

$220 for quality Paulson quarters (Legit quarters are hard to find)
$138 + shipping for the $1's
$69 + shipping for the $5's

Would be plenty to get you started, then add more $5's on as you go.

I currently have 320 $0.25 chips, and I rarely dip into the second rack of them, I only have so many so that I can have 16 players with a barrel each on 2 tables

This is plentyfor a really shallow .25/.50 with few rebuys. Our .25/.50 is a $125 buy in. This set wouldn't cover a full table of initial buys for us

 

[GoStumpy]

Exactly just add more $5's at $0.69ea is a no brainer IMO, but isn't necessary if people are buying in for $25 or $50 without tons of rebuys...

 

[PokerPilot86]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm seriously looking at the Milanos, as they certainly seem to be the kind of look and feel that I enjpy, and I have ordered some samples that'll hopefully be arriving.

I'll certainly let you know if I decide to go with ordering a full set of them.