China Clay Disaster? (1 Viewer)

[Rufus67]

Hey everyone,


A few months back, I got my hands on Apache's Monte Carlo clay composite chips. They’re really heavy, and I ended up really liking the way they feel. Despite being on the lower end in terms of cost and value, they were some of the nicest chips I've held.


Fast forward a few months—I decided to try out the China Clay Majestics from Apache. I was pretty shocked by the difference. The Majestic chips are way harder to stack; they don’t align nearly as well, they're slippery, and they just don’t stay together like I’d expect. I can’t figure out why these cost more when they feel so much worse.


I know a lot of folks usually buy a sample set first, but I went with the general consensus that China Clays are the tier below classic poker chips and Paulson tophat and canes—options that, frankly, are out of my budget right now.


Is anyone else experiencing this? Are these issues normal, or are they supposed to mimic real casino chips more closely? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any insights you might have!


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

China Clays have very little quality control. Sorry you've had a bad experience, I've found them slippery and didn't like them. Costing more doesn't always equate to better chips. This is why we scream get samples, sorry brother. Personally I have the China Clays as quite a few tiers below Paulsons/CPCs, and I think that fits the concesus that I've read. Look into BRPro ceramics and Tina hybrid ceramics, or ChipCos; Tina customs would be a good option, much cheaper than the top tier clay chips but great value.

 

[justsomedude]

There were some early QC issues with the Majestics as seen here. That being said, I thought it was corrected.

Sorry to hear your experience was less than ideal.

 

[upNdown]

but I went with the general consensus that China Clays are the tier below classic poker chips and Paulson tophat and canes

I feel like there must be some misinformation around. I don’t think that’s the general consensus. But I see a lot of new members looking for China Clay.

Personally, I’ve found China clays to be slippery and sometimes not even round. They’re like lipstick on a pig - they look fancy but they’re not. They’re made from a material that feels dull and dead and they fren actually smells bad. Personally I don’t think they have a place in the market at all, because there are plenty of cheaper chips that are better quality.

 

[ChrisArmyKnife]

I feel like there must be some misinformation around. I don’t think that’s the general consensus. But I see a lot of new members looking for China Clay.

I’m still pretty new to PCF - but I remember that for the first few days reading and learning about different chips, I thought that China Clays and Tinas were two names for the same product.

I think I just thought this (embarrassingly) for the simple reason that they both come from China lol.

I wonder if the misconception comes (in part) from newer members that are under the same impression that I was. Even I’m still leaning!

 

[LotsOfChips]

Apache's Monte Carlo clay composite chips. They’re really heavy, and I ended up really liking the way they feel.

These are China Clays...

China Clay Majestics from Apache. I was pretty shocked by the difference. The Majestic chips are way harder to stack; they don’t align nearly as well, they're slippery, and they just don’t stay together like I’d expect.

These are also China Clays, just a different maker.

This is why we scream get samples, sorry brother.

^ This!!!!!

Personally I have some Apache Royal Cardroom (also China Clays). I love the colours, they stack well, and aren't slippery. YMMV

China Clay Disaster?​

Not really...

 

[JP1984]

Hey everyone,


A few months back, I got my hands on Apache's Monte Carlo clay composite chips. They’re really heavy, and I ended up really liking the way they feel. Despite being on the lower end in terms of cost and value, they were some of the nicest chips I've held.


Fast forward a few months—I decided to try out the China Clay Majestics from Apache. I was pretty shocked by the difference. The Majestic chips are way harder to stack; they don’t align nearly as well, they're slippery, and they just don’t stay together like I’d expect. I can’t figure out why these cost more when they feel so much worse.


I know a lot of folks usually buy a sample set first, but I went with the general consensus that China Clays are the tier below classic poker chips and Paulson tophat and canes—options that, frankly, are out of my budget right now.


Is anyone else experiencing this? Are these issues normal, or are they supposed to mimic real casino chips more closely? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any insights you might have!


Thanks in advance for your help.

You sound like me, 5 years ago...

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...at-bad-confessions-of-a-new-uk-chipper.59959/

Welcome to PCF

 

[upNdown]

I thought that China Clays and Tinas were two names for the same product.

Yeah there’s a lot of that going on with newer members, these days. There’s a steep learning curve.

 

[bmacpoker]

I didn't like the Majestics sample I got, but I like the Royals. They became my main cash set. I don't get the smell from them that a lot of people seem to have issue with.

 

[Labrat]

I was a big China Clays fan when they first started coming out but I’ve had two sets crumble on me after time.

With the hybrid ceramics hitting the market and the endless possibilities with them, I honestly don’t know why anybody would look at China Clays any more.

 

[Sal Bandini]

I have China Clays from the old days from The Chip Room. They stack fine and are not slippery. However, they are starting to chip and crack. The newer Apache ones like Majestic and Royals are a different material which likely is more durable, but they are considerably more slippery, to the point of being very annoying.

Run them over some sandpaper and they will stack much better. Or get some Tina hybrids if you don't want to spend the money on Paulsons or CPC.

 

[KHarp1]

Sorry, but, get samples is probably the most used two words (together) on this forum for a reason. The Majestic's are a sister chip to the Royal's, yet, they're a universe apart in how they feel, and smell. I love the Royal's and hate the Majestic's. Tina chips also have their hierarchy with me, some molds feel better than others.

Sorry to hear you've had a terrible experience, but, the great thing about this forum is that you can sell your Majestic's in the classifieds for not much less than you paid, and, then purchase some samples.