Yeah no retractable handle. I don't normally carry decks in the case, we have other cases that are set up to hold DBs, cards, and extras. I think with 1200 chips you will have room for that. The plaques here are much smaller than the Matsui plaques. We also re construct the foam underneath using a different more firm foam, which changes the height as well to keep them all firmly in place. I think in one of the other cases that has plaques, the cut out area beneath the plaques holds a set up, and the plaques reside over top of that.