Festive's Fun, Finds, & Fotos (4 Viewers)

[FestiveKnight]

Figured I’ve finally got enough (hopefully) interesting projects going on to get my own thread started.

I’ve got a long way to go in terms of time and skill on my chip photoing abilities but I’m sure this thread will give me the opportunity to improve.

 

[FestiveKnight]

I’ve got three different projects going on right now but I’m gonna start of with the Rat Rod set.

@FDLmold and @louBdub ‘s rat rod (RR) sets are incredibly inspiring. I love the idea of giving life to chips that can’t make it into traditional playable quantities and it also gives a very useful structure to what’s effective a singles collection.

So without further ado, some RR pr0n!

And now the deets. These are the criteria I’m using to shape the set. More thoughts on why I chose these in a later post.

1. THC
2. No fantasy, NAGB, etc. Should have been used in a casino
3. Inlaid, no hot stamps, CiC, etc
4. No duplicates
5. The following breakdown is my current goal:
   1. 200x white/light gray $1s (300 if possible w/o too many duplicates)
   2. 200x red $5s
   3. 80x green $25s
   4. 20x black $100s

 

[FestiveKnight]

Already revealed by these initial small batches of $1s, $5s, and $25s are the questions of condition and color variation.

As for the former, I’m trying to make sure all the chips can stand on edge and that no one chip stands out too much, but I know there will be variation and I think that comes with building a set with as much variety (the maximum) as these RR sets.

As for color, @FDLmold explained to me his goal of making sure no chip stray too far from the core color of its color that it could be construed as another chip.

I’m not too worried about this because I think white, red, green, and black are such standard colors partially because they’re quite distinguishable even in their variaties.

However, as I’ve posted about before, I am quite colorblind. I see mix up light green/yellow, green/red, blue/purple, and pink/grey. So I am a bit worried about the edge cases of gray $1s and pink $5s and the obvious red $5s and green $25s

 

[FestiveKnight]

Update time!

Had another baby come in, this time a simple (tad dirty) Silver Seven's $1, courtesy of @apchipper, joins the pile.

But more crucially, I have made a lot of progress on an Excel approach to keeping track of this set.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CHIP GUIDE

For now this sheet is just to track what I do have. As new chips come in, I add in a new box. This way I can keep track of the chips I have, where I got them, at what price, etc. but I can also identify chips from the same casino I don't have. Overtime I may start to systematically scour the Chip Guide and also add boxes for chips I don't have that I want to hunt. But for now, while I am still bulking out the set so quickly I am going to focus instead on what is coming in (big lot of 100+ should arrive later this week woot!).

In addition to cleaning and generally admiring each chip, this process also adds a data step which I greatly enjoy as an Excel nerd.

Open to any suggestions BTW on this sheet, just threw this together the last few days.

I already know one issue which is that I can easily pull my self-created chip IDs but I made it kind of annoying for myself (will need to use OFFSET()) to get the simple Casino name if I ever want to reference the chips in that way somewhere else.

 

[FestiveKnight]

A couple comparison shots in post-storm bright afternoon light.

I love these. One all the same spots, another with some real variety.

Definitely part of the fun or rat rod/singles collecting that I’m enjoying is just grabbing any grouping of chips and studying the differences.

And two new additions today which made the above comparisons possible!

In photos the hotel Nevada $5 has never really grabbed my attention (don’t really like the inlay - is that controversial?) but in person and in this photos those spots pop!

 

[FestiveKnight]

Also, harkening to all the debates in @Taghkanic’s photography thread, it’s crazy how different the Lucayan looks in those two photos. One on black, lit from a east facing window, one on white from a south facing window. Taken 30 seconds apart. No editing except cropping.

 

[Gavin]

LOVE IT!

I'm actually doing this myself... Been doing it for many(!) years and still doing it - trying to keep up with every White $1 US Casino Paulson chip being released. Just the other day I separated my RHC, House Mold, and THC chips and posted photos in the PCF Splash Pot Thread:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...shed-pot-pron-thread-of-pcf.1331/post-1938780

 

[Gavin]

Will PM you tonight or tomorrow. I've got quite the spreadsheet I can share with you and might be able to assist with some available chips too...

 

[FestiveKnight]

LOVE IT!

I'm actually doing this myself... Been doing it for many(!) years and still doing it - trying to keep up with every White $1 US Casino Paulson chip being released. Just the other day I separated my RHC, House Mold, and THC chips and posted photos in the PCF Splash Pot Thread:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...shed-pot-pron-thread-of-pcf.1331/post-1938780

Wow Gavin that’s so cool! Wow really really cool. Gonna stare at those pics some more tomorrow, a ton of serious beauties in there and love love love seeing it all together!

Will PM you tonight or tomorrow. I've got quite the spreadsheet I can share with you and might be able to assist with some available chips too...

Please do!

 

[Gavin]

PM sent...

 

[FestiveKnight]

Mail day!!! First big lot of a few I’m working out. I’ll be posting pr0n as I get these babies cleaned up and organized.

@louBdub a big leap towards catching up with your smashing progress!

 

[FestiveKnight]

I am a very festive FestiveKnight tonight!!

Two gentlemen in very glad to have made deals with (who can reveal themselves if they chose) hooked me up with this hoard of singles. Today we take a Great Leap Forward for the RR set!!

This really puts pressure on my processing time though…

Here’s what’s already been catalogued in my time-intensive but (I think) very effective Excel sheet:

And here’s what was left in the processing queue before the new lots came in:

There’s some amount of duplicates in this because of some chips that I wanted better qualities of or to secure the lot. After everything is sorted through, catalogued, and cleaned, I’ll be releasing the extras back. This is a purely unique chips project for me.

@louBdub!!

@FDLmold, as I’m going through, there’s some chips I have questions about, I’ll make a post soon. I’m interested to learn from you about some.

 

[louBdub]

 

[Gavin]

Sure... who doesn't like a compliment???

Glad I could help out! Happy hunting for the remaining chips! I'll keep an eye out for you as well...

 

[glynn]

I really love what you all are doing. I also love that within this concept, there is still variation in your approaches:

• How far can I stray from the base without being obvious that it is not the same chip?
• How far can I stray from the base while being obvious that it is the same color region?

Even within the niche, you are each innovating and arriving at a unique destination.

I've learned that we live near each other. Let me know if there is anything else from my singles that can help toward your project. We'll work something out.

 

[FestiveKnight]

Sure... who doesn't like a compliment???

Glad I could help out! Happy hunting for the remaining chips! I'll keep an eye out for you as well...

Compliments are deserved! You put together a fantastic collection of those $1s and I’m very happy to be carrying it forward in this Rat Rod way

 

[FestiveKnight]

I really love what you all are doing. I also love that within this concept, there is still variation in your approaches:

• How far can I stray from the base without being obvious that it is not the same chip?
• How far can I stray from the base while being obvious that it is the same color region?

Even within the niche, you are each innovating and arriving at a unique destination.

I've learned that we live near each other. Let me know if there is anything else from my singles that can help toward your project. We'll work something out.

I love having the set of criteria to guide this. I spent months observing from afar the posts of singles collectors, interested but not personally compelled. @FDLmold’s RR set completely changed that for me.

The idea of a singles collection-esque set with a strict set of criteria and the goal of playability and uniqueness just moved me so much.

I posted above some simple thoughts on those specific questions already but I have to admit to not having moved the needle much yet for my specific set. Once everything is cleaned and sorted through and I can see it all together, I intend to do some staring at it and seeing what stands out. The off-whites, creams, greys stand out the most right now for needing further consideration.

 

[FDLmold]

@FDLmold, as I’m going through, there’s some chips I have questions about, I’ll make a post soon. I’m interested to learn from you about some.

I'll share as much knowledge as I have, no problem. My expertise is focused on blue $1s, red $5s, and green $25s, but I've picked up a thousand tidbits about a lot of other Paulson chips too.

 

[FestiveKnight]

One interesting thing that is new for me processing through the large lots I picked up is comparing some old C&J chips to the Paulson THCs.

In the lot from @Gavin, there were seven chips that stood out because they were just a bit larger than other chips in the rack. Checking them with calipers, they’re all 39.3 - 39.5 mm. With the most worn chips being 39.3.

Question: is this true of all C&J THC chips?

It was also interesting to see the 1/5” spots, which I don’t think I’ve ever personally encountered on a Paulson chip.

Question: did Paulson ever make 15 spots? Is this rare or have I just not seen them?

I’ve read before about the way that C&J spots align to the edge of the recess, is there any insight into this? I’m personally a fan of it the C&J way now that I’ve spent 20 min staring at them next to each other.

Lastly, the C&J chips for the most part weigh less than almost any of the THC chips I quickly compared them to, which was interesting but not surprising with the different material and what I’ve read about them before.

Tagging the guys I think know a bunch about this. @FDLmold, @BGinGA, @Gear

Shitty desk photos:

 

[FestiveKnight]

Chip	Manufacturer	Weight (gr)	Diameter (mm)	Issued	Spot Width (mm)
Playboy Club	C&J	9.36​	39.5​	?	15​
California Club	C&J	9.80​	39.3​	1961​	15​
Dutch Inn (pink?)	C&J	8.46​	39.3​	?	12​
Dutch Inn (black)	C&J	8.75​	39.5​	?	12​
El Conquistador (navy)	C&J	9.12​	39.5​	?	6​
El Conquistador (yellow)	C&J	8.80​	39.5​	?	6​
El Conquistador (pink)	C&J	9.00​	39.5​	?	12​
Freemont	Paulson	10.47​	39​	1967​	12​

 

[Okku]

One interesting thing that is new for me processing through the large lots I picked up is comparing some old C&J chips to the Paulson THCs.

In the lot from @Gavin, there were seven chips that stood out because they were just a bit larger than other chips in the rack. Checking them with calipers, they’re all 39.3 - 39.5 mm. With the most worn chips being 39.3.

Question: is this true of all C&J THC chips?

It was also interesting to see the 1/5” spots, which I don’t think I’ve ever personally encountered on a Paulson chip.

Question: did Paulson ever make 15 spots? Is this rare or have I just not seen them?

I’ve read before about the way that C&J spots align to the edge of the recess, is there any insight into this? I’m personally a fan of it the C&J way now that I’ve spent 20 min staring at them next to each other.

Lastly, the C&J chips for the most part weigh less than almost any of the THC chips I quickly compared them to, which was interesting but not surprising with the different material and what I’ve read about them before.

Tagging the guys I think know a bunch about this. @FDLmold, @BGinGA, @Gear

Shitty desk photos:

View attachment 985913

View attachment 985914

C&J chips from what I've felt and seen are just a hair bigger in diameter. Some people don't know that, but if you have two that are sharp you can very easily tell the difference. As far as the edge spots goes, I feel like C&J did it better. They did it in a similar way like Taylor & Co. did with T Mold chips.

Something different and much more elegant in a sense where the edge spots are so well done. Don't get me wrong, Paulson did edge spots nicely, but sometimes a little extra effort goes a long way. That little curved edge spots is very elegant and classy imo.

 

[FestiveKnight]

Just some 3TA314 pr0n.

I’ve seen lots of posts on the topic but is there a conclusive best way to upload HEIC photos without losing so much quality? @JeepologyOffroad @ekricket?

 

[FDLmold]

Resorts A.C. THC $5, very nice!

 

[louBdub]

This is sexy

 

[FestiveKnight]

And now for something different, a deservedly shitty desk photo of one of my least favorite inlays I have come across so far.

I’ve intentionally not stared at it enough to figure out why it generates so much rage in me but lordy do I not like this.

 

[FestiveKnight]

Looking through all my RR $1s to find some nominees for @FDLmold’s pcf’s favorite. Here are some shots of some that stood out. It’s definitely time to invest in even a marginally better setup and some hours when the sun is out. Nevertheless, some pr0n:

 

[FDLmold]

This is why I won't start a white $1 Rat Rod rack. It would get too expensive too quickly! Those are all fantastic.

 

[FestiveKnight]

A little family photo and ~6 month update though I’ve hardly bought any chips since the fall. It really is amazing seeing them all together. Nearing the target on $1s and $5s, I’m at 165/200 and 193/200, respectively. Though there are some CJ $5s to weed out and many that I’d want to replace with a better quality chip.

$25s are going to be the real killer. I’m at 28/80 and these beauties don’t come cheap.

The BOH is only 1 chip short but I expect I’ll cycle some in and out of that as I find more interesting chips for it (eg don’t need 2 different King International and 2 different Hilton International which are currently bulking it up).

 

[FestiveKnight]

First custom set complete!!

Introducing “The Ginkgo Club”

This was a simple project to practice the A-Z of making a custom set and to have a customized heads-up set to play with the wife

For the last few years we’ve lived in Roslindale near Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum where we’ve come to love the stand of ginkgo trees. Enough to feature them heavily on our wedding invitations and party favors this past summer so it was obvious that should also carry over into this simple set for us. The chips these are inspired by should be obvious, it’s pretty 1:1, which I’m totally happy with for this first go at custom but I wouldn’t want to repeat.

Process started with finding the chips. These were Jatre + Co chips that @mipevi listed that were in too small a quantity for a full set but thought would be perfect for a heads up set.

The next step was expert milling from @Josh Kifer. Quick and effective service! Thank you!

@Johnny5 was great to work with on the design. Before settling on the Silver Saddle/Yosemite Inn inspo I was feeling really drawn to these chips that @Split posted about. I already had “Ginkgo Club, Roslindale” in mind and thought this could translate 1:1 pretty easily but working with J5 it became clear that the simplicity of the Little Club design really shines with a HS and so much white space wouldn’t translate over well to an inlay. John was amazing going through a bunch of iterations a tweaking the colors. Thanks also to @JeepologyOffroad who I asked for feedback a few times at this stage.

Everything came together in the magical hands of @Gear who did an impeccable job of color matching the design to the sample chips I had provided. The faux shaped inlay product that Chris offers is truly a boon to this hobby.

Thanks to everyone involved! You were each great to work with and I can’t wait for the next custom set!

Lastly, those less colorblind than me will notice a very silly mistake I made that I literally didn’t notice until I was labeling the chips… hehe lessons for next time.

 

[glynn]

Those are truly beautiful. While I love the original hot stamps, your inlays are very well done.

I am right next to the Arboretum as well