Broken arrow group buys and Tina (3 Viewers)

[Murphtastic]

Sir Noob here trying to get his posts up and clogging your feed with questions probably answered many times over. Looking for China clays and heard broken arrow group buys brought up and “Tina” mentioned. Can anyone point me in a solid direction as to view some of these buys available? Or where I should go or who to talk to about such. Thanks in advance!

 

[PokerSTLplayer]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chips-new-sun-mold-web-mold-greek-mold-april-2025.129138/

 

[upNdown]

Sir Noob here trying to get his posts up and clogging your feed with questions probably answered many times over. Looking for China clays and heard broken arrow group buys brought up and “Tina” mentioned. Can anyone point me in a solid direction as to view some of these buys available? Or where I should go or who to talk to about such. Thanks in advance!

China Clay are injection molded plastic chips that happen to be made in China. The term “China Clay” refers to a specific plastic formulation (which is supposed to feel like real clay poker chips, and tends to smell bad, btw) and should not be used generically to refer to chips made in China.
When people here speak of Tina chips, they’re referring to a variety of ceramic chips, also coincidentally coming out of China. But ceramic and China Clay are two very different materials.

 

[MatrixExplosion]

As someone who has spent the past month fervently researching, hopefully I can help:

There are 4 main types of chips that I've come across with a bunch of sub categories in each:

1. Metal Slugged ABS Chips

This is usually your cheapest option, made of plastic with a metal insert inside to add weight. Most amazon and poker supply stores sell this type of chip. Weight per chip is around 10-14 grams. Price is around 10-30 cents a chip.

2. China Clay Chips

These are a step up from ABS chips, made of a heavier plastic mixture and with no metal inside. Made to feel like real casino poker chips. China clay chips can also be called nexgen, pro clay, or pure clay poker chips. Usual weight is between 8-10 grams. Price is 20-50 cents a chip

3. Ceramic Chips

This is what Tina sells and what you can buy from the group buy. Usually a step up from China Clays. These chips have a much "brighter" sound and some real casinos use these chips as well. There are two types, regular and hybrid. Regular ceramic chips have the artwork printed onto the surface of of the chip so it doesn't come off like a label. Good thing about this is that all of the surface can be used, bad thing is the printing isn't always nice and clear. Hybrids are the same material but have an actual label in the middle so the artwork is super clear. So far these have been my favorite. Again, weight is between 8-11 grams. Price is 35 cents to 1 dollar a chip

4. Compression Molded Clay Chips

The "real deal" as it were. Poker chips don't get better than this. Made by the same companies that make chips for Casinos, the top 3 I've come across being Paulson, CPC, and BCC. Paulson and BCC no longer sell to private individuals, but CPC does. Price is 2-15 dollars a chip if buying obsolete casino chips.

 

[upNdown]

As someone who has spent the past month fervently researching, hopefully I can help:

There are 4 main types of chips that I've come across with a bunch of sub categories in each:

1. Metal Slugged ABS Chips

This is usually your cheapest option, made of plastic with a metal insert inside to add weight. Most amazon and poker supply stores sell this type of chip. Weight per chip is around 10-14 grams. Price is around 10-30 cents a chip.

2. China Clay Chips

These are a step up from ABS chips, made of a heavier plastic mixture and with no metal inside. Made to feel like real casino poker chips. China clay chips can also be called nexgen, pro clay, or pure clay poker chips. Usual weight is between 8-10 grams. Price is 20-50 cents a chip

3. Ceramic Chips

This is what Tina sells and what you can buy from the group buy. Usually a step up from China Clays. These chips have a much "brighter" sound and some real casinos use these chips as well. There are two types, regular and hybrid. Regular ceramic chips have the artwork printed onto the surface of of the chip so it doesn't come off like a label. Good thing about this is that all of the surface can be used, bad thing is the printing isn't always nice and clear. Hybrids are the same material but have an actual label in the middle so the artwork is super clear. So far these have been my favorite. Again, weight is between 8-11 grams. Price is 35 cents to 1 dollar a chip

4. Compression Molded Clay Chips

The "real deal" as it were. Poker chips don't get better than this. Made by the same companies that make chips for Casinos, the top 3 I've come across being Paulson, CPC, and BCC. Paulson and BCC no longer sell to private individuals, but CPC does. Price is 2-15 dollars a chip if buying obsolete casino chips.

C+/B-

1. You're probably right about sluggos; I don't pay them much attention.
2. China Clay chips must always be described with a measure of disdain, never forgetting to point out that they tend to smell bad. And those chips mentioned in your third sentence are not made from the same materials as China Clays.
3. Tina should always be described as a criminal. When describing ceramics, you should mention forum sponsor BR Pro Poker - their ceramics are noticeably higher quality than Tina stuff, but you'll pay for it. Sunfly is another manufacturer worth mentioning.
4. All you've got is Paulson and CPC. Historically there have been other manufacturers, and that's a rabbit hole in and of itself. The price ranges for Paulsons are almost infinite. Worn casino paulsons often sell for under a buck apiece. There are plenty of paulsons that sell for more than $15 apiece, but thats probably good enough.
5. Premium Plastics - you should also discuss these with anger and disrespect. They're more common in casinos outside of the western hemisphere, but sadly they're here too. Bud Jones is most common in USA, but Abbiati and Matsui are vendors worth mentioning. There are also cheaper plastics that find their way into casinos that are not worth mentioning.

FWIW, a C+/B- is a really good grade. I've been here for almost ten years, and my knowledge is probably only in the B+ range.

 

[MatrixExplosion]

C+/B-

1. You're probably right about sluggos; I don't pay them much attention.
2. China Clay chips must always be described with a measure of disdain, never forgetting to point out that they tend to smell bad. And those chips mentioned in your third sentence are not made from the same materials as China Clays.
3. Tina should always be described as a criminal. When describing ceramics, you should mention forum sponsor BR Pro Poker - their ceramics are noticeably higher quality than Tina stuff, but you'll pay for it. Sunfly is another manufacturer worth mentioning.
4. All you've got is Paulson and CPC. Historically there have been other manufacturers, and that's a rabbit hole in and of itself. The price ranges for Paulsons are almost infinite. Worn casino paulsons often sell for under a buck apiece. There are plenty of paulsons that sell for more than $15 apiece, but thats probably good enough.
5. Premium Plastics - you should also discuss these with anger and disrespect. They're more common in casinos outside of the western hemisphere, but sadly they're here too. Bud Jones is most common in USA, but Abbiati and Matsui are vendors worth mentioning. There are also cheaper plastics that find their way into casinos that are not worth mentioning.

FWIW, a C+/B- is a really good grade. I've been here for almost ten years, and my knowledge is probably only in the B+ range.

Thank you, always happy to learn more.

 

[upNdown]

Thank you, always happy to learn more.

I'm mostly trying to be a funny jerk, but the truth is that this hobby is really tough to wrap your arms around. You've learned a lot more in a month than most people. The scary part is that that top A level knowledge isn't really published anywhere, and the guys who actually have that knowledge are fading.

 

[VerdeChipper]

Justin's group buys are the best deal for a custom "Tina" chips. His communication is excellent. I just got mine in yesterday and am happy with the quality of the chips and the labels. Go to the vendor page and look through his "Broken Arrow" page there. In the threads there are a ton of examples. Somewhere there is a page of the chips ordered through him. I cannot say enough good things. There's guys on here that will help design chips and logos for you. Hell, I might even design something for you if you have a good idea for a chip.

 

[BPTDirector]

I’d say the most important thing to know besides get samples before a big purchase is that if you desire compression clay, no other material will satisfy your desire, and if that’s not important then get a ceramic set and do not ever for any reason touch a clay chip. Because if you do, ceramic chips will be a compromise. FWIW I have 4 clay sets and three ceramic, and have owned the top tier plastic chips at one time or another.