First Quality Set Help (4 Viewers)

[dbrous90]

You can get 600 Tikis with racks and case, plus dealer button and a deck of (probably cheap) cards for $465 USD.

https://brpropoker.com/collections/tiki-kings/products/copy-of-600-piece-tiki-set

Just the chips will run you about $0.65 ea.

https://brpropoker.com/collections/...i-ceramic-poker-chip-for-volume-price-testing

Why does everyone always say to get racks? Everytime we have ever played we just count them out and stack in front of a seat. Just curious

You can get 600 Tikis with racks and case, plus dealer button and a deck of (probably cheap) cards for $465 USD.

Just a little too much for me for something I may not even love. Thanks tho

There's a few other designs you can find at various retailers that might appeal to you; I can't speak to quality - in general they should be fine but as I mentioned earlier make sure you can return them if you don't like them. Designs to look for include: Bullets, Slowplay Nash Ceramic, and many different clones of the European Poker Tour chips.

Thanks for all of these recommendations. One major thing I learned from this thread was that the vendor really matters and not to just order a chip that is widely sold from one of the "non-approved" sites.

Basically correct, although once you've gotten permission to use someone's design you still have to place a custom order for the chips by working with Tina; you can't just buy them through a retail site.

You can also produce your own design, or work with a designer to produce a design to your specifications. You could then get that design printed by ABC/BRPro, or Sun-Fly, or Tina.

This is honestly a really intrigueing option I just dont know if I want to go through the whole haypile looking for my favorite design or making a custom design. Maybe in the future

In addition to the print quality issues, Nile Club chips are made with inferior materials that easily chip and break, and they often contain many spinners due to a convex surface (vs flat or concave). They also have a glossy surface, which can make viewing the chips difficult due to glare from overhead lighting.

All things I have read about in different places which suck because I love the design. I have a sample and in the hand I dont like them as much as NJ's

 

[wolfpack]

Out of the stuff you listed NJ are the best of the bunch IMO and were the first not plastic set I ever owned.

I would drop the quarters down to 100 and place extra 20 in 5's.

 

[tabletalker7]

Why does everyone always say to get racks?

Racks help you carry chips to the table, helps winners carry chips away to cash out, and helps you count the chips (if you have proper racks)

 

[allforcharity]

Don't get anything that you don't "really really like". Paying anything for what you don't like (unless it's a life necessity) is a waste of money, no matter what. Take some time to find out. Finalize your breakdowns so you can purchase efficiently, and stick to your budget. This place is dangerous.

 

[LeLe]

Why does everyone always say to get racks? Everytime we have ever played we just count them out and stack in front of a seat. Just curious

Similarly to why people use a grocery bag when they buy groceries

 

[inapinch]

This may also be of interest:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...e-inside-for-rules.52550/page-15#post-1936716

 

[CrazyEddie]

[re Nile Club] All things I have read about in different places which suck because I love the design.

If the design appeals to you because of the Egypt theme, there's a few other options you might consider to get a similar theme on a higher-quality chip:

Chipco Egyptians: these are casino-quality ceramics. Hard to find but sets are out there, and for the right price someone might be willing to part with their set. You'd have to post a wanted ad and make some friendly contacts in the community and ask around and do some research to see who might have some and reach out to them to see if they'd be willing to sell.

Pyramids Casino Spirit Molds: These are an older china clay chip. The base chips are called Spirit Molds; they were made with a couple of different stock labels, including this Pyramids Casino design. Spirit Molds have been out of print and out of stock for a while, but it's possible some people still have hoards of them, possibly still with the original Pyramids Casino label. Spirit Molds are an older china clay; they feel a lot more like "clay" and a lot less "plasticy" than newer chips such as the Milanos and Majestics you may have sampled, but they also sometimes are a lot more fragile and prone to chipping and breaking.

Apache Pharaoh's: These are a modern china clay chip. The design is a replica of the original Paulson Pharaoh's, which are clay. These are quite popular, well-regarded, readily available, and affordable.

And finally, you could go the custom route. If you're good with graphic design you could make your own set that's inspired by the Nile Clubs, or for a modest fee you could commission one of the many very talented graphic designers who hang out on PCF to produce something that incorporates whatever aspects of the Nile Clubs you find appealing. With that design in hand, you could get custom ceramics, or you could get custom labels made and relabel a china clay chip of your choice; this is a very common way for people to get nice-looking chips with a design that appeals to them on a decent-quality chip within a modest budget.

 

[Beakertwang]

IMO, these are the best value plastic playing cards out there. I've bought several setups, and I've been very happy with them.

https://www.amazon.com/Cartamundi-1...=1661096849&sprefix=cartamundi,aps,167&sr=8-4

 

[dbrous90]

If the design appeals to you because of the Egypt theme, there's a few other options you might consider to get a similar theme on a higher-quality chip:

Chipco Egyptians: these are casino-quality ceramics. Hard to find but sets are out there, and for the right price someone might be willing to part with their set. You'd have to post a wanted ad and make some friendly contacts in the community and ask around and do some research to see who might have some and reach out to them to see if they'd be willing to sell.

View attachment 972080

Pyramids Casino Spirit Molds: These are an older china clay chip. The base chips are called Spirit Molds; they were made with a couple of different stock labels, including this Pyramids Casino design. Spirit Molds have been out of print and out of stock for a while, but it's possible some people still have hoards of them, possibly still with the original Pyramids Casino label. Spirit Molds are an older china clay; they feel a lot more like "clay" and a lot less "plasticy" than newer chips such as the Milanos and Majestics you may have sampled, but they also sometimes are a lot more fragile and prone to chipping and breaking.

View attachment 972084

Apache Pharaoh's: These are a modern china clay chip. The design is a replica of the original Paulson Pharaoh's, which are clay. These are quite popular, well-regarded, readily available, and affordable.

View attachment 972087

And finally, you could go the custom route. If you're good with graphic design you could make your own set that's inspired by the Nile Clubs, or for a modest fee you could commission one of the many very talented graphic designers who hang out on PCF to produce something that incorporates whatever aspects of the Nile Clubs you find appealing. With that design in hand, you could get custom ceramics, or you could get custom labels made and relabel a china clay chip of your choice; this is a very common way for people to get nice-looking chips with a design that appeals to them on a decent-quality chip within a modest budget.

How do these, specifically the pharaohs compare to like the milanos?

IMO, these are the best value plastic playing cards out there. I've bought several setups, and I've been very happy with them.

https://www.amazon.com/Cartamundi-100-Plastic-Setup-Standard/dp/B00KBB2JSE/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=cartamundi+plastic+playing+cards&qid=1661096849&sprefix=cartamundi,aps,167&sr=8-4

Sweet thanks

 

[CrazyEddie]

How do these, specifically the pharaohs compare to like the milanos?

Can't really say! I haven't held them. I've got some Milanos but no Pharaohs. I think most people think the Pharaohs feel nicer than the Milanos.

 

[dbrous90]

Tina is the sales rep for an AliBaba vendor that produces decent-quality ceramic chips at very affordable prices. However, all of their work is custom; they don't carry inventories of stock designs. They have a molded ceramic chip which PCF members call "cards mold" and which is the main product that PCF members buy from Tina; they also have a diamonds-mold chip and a standard flat ceramic (aka "no mold"). Members often put together group buys in order to get bulk pricing and to split the overhead costs, but some members have placed individual orders and simply paid the extra costs. Shipping can be expensive, and both lead times and delivery times can be long. They don't have a retail site; you have to contact Tina directly to place an order.

Think I am going to take this route with the new group buy that just got posted for the royal princess. Anything I should keep in mind?

 

[CrazyEddie]

Think I am going to take this route with the new group buy that just got posted for the royal princess. Anything I should keep in mind?

Be patient! The group buys have a long lead time.

If the RPC design appeals to you, I think you'll be very happy with your purchase, once you finally receive it. You'll have a unique, attractive design on a decent-quality chip at an unbeatable price.

Choose a breakdown that you're comfortable with, and consider ordering an extra 25 of each denom to account for breakage and future loss. You certainly won't need that many, but the minimum ordering unit is 25 per denom because of the way they come packaged from the manufacturer. Or you could save yourself $40 and not bother; your set will still be perfectly playable even if you end up losing a chip here or there years from now. Some of us just hate the thought of having 599 chips in our set with that one chip-sized hole in a rack staring at us for all time, so getting extras is a common habit.

 

[dbrous90]

Be patient! The group buys have a long lead time.

If the RPC design appeals to you, I think you'll be very happy with your purchase, once you finally receive it. You'll have a unique, attractive design on a decent-quality chip at an unbeatable price.

Choose a breakdown that you're comfortable with, and consider ordering an extra 25 of each denom to account for breakage and future loss. You certainly won't need that many, but the minimum ordering unit is 25 per denom because of the way they come packaged from the manufacturer. Or you could save yourself $40 and not bother; your set will still be perfectly playable even if you end up losing a chip here or there years from now. Some of us just hate the thought of having 599 chips in our set with that one chip-sized hole in a rack staring at us for all time, so getting extras is a common habit.

Yeah. I’m fine with it taking a while and looking through all of the old cards mold threads with designs, this is one of my favorites along with the tan mahal. Thanks for all the help

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Yeah. I’m fine with it taking a while and looking through all of the old cards mold threads with designs, this is one of my favorites along with the tan mahal. Thanks for all the help

Looks like I am late to this party. You rec'd a lot of great advice and I think you will be happy with cards mold. Did you get samples from anyone? I ran a large group buy late last year for the Aria's design and also have customs that I designed in 2020. Let me know if you want some samples.

I also have a huge collection of china clay samples and can give you input on differences in those if you decide to go back to them. I concur with the Pharaohs are better than Milanos opinions. They are similar, but the Milanos are a little more rounded on the edges and the colors tend to fade a bit over time. If you like the design (some don't) then the Pharaohs are a great china clay choice.

 

[upNdown]

If the design appeals to you because of the Egypt theme, there's a few other options you might consider to get a similar theme on a higher-quality chip:

Chipco Egyptians: these are casino-quality ceramics. Hard to find but sets are out there, and for the right price someone might be willing to part with their set. You'd have to post a wanted ad and make some friendly contacts in the community and ask around and do some research to see who might have some and reach out to them to see if they'd be willing to sell.

View attachment 972080

Pyramids Casino Spirit Molds: These are an older china clay chip. The base chips are called Spirit Molds; they were made with a couple of different stock labels, including this Pyramids Casino design. Spirit Molds have been out of print and out of stock for a while, but it's possible some people still have hoards of them, possibly still with the original Pyramids Casino label. Spirit Molds are an older china clay; they feel a lot more like "clay" and a lot less "plasticy" than newer chips such as the Milanos and Majestics you may have sampled, but they also sometimes are a lot more fragile and prone to chipping and breaking.

View attachment 972084

Apache Pharaoh's: These are a modern china clay chip. The design is a replica of the original Paulson Pharaoh's, which are clay. These are quite popular, well-regarded, readily available, and affordable.

View attachment 972087

And finally, you could go the custom route. If you're good with graphic design you could make your own set that's inspired by the Nile Clubs, or for a modest fee you could commission one of the many very talented graphic designers who hang out on PCF to produce something that incorporates whatever aspects of the Nile Clubs you find appealing. With that design in hand, you could get custom ceramics, or you could get custom labels made and relabel a china clay chip of your choice; this is a very common way for people to get nice-looking chips with a design that appeals to them on a decent-quality chip within a modest budget.

Now I know why they call you crazy. I've been reading this site daily for years and I don't think I've ever seen anybody sell an actual playable set of Egyptians.

 

[dbrous90]

Looks like I am late to this party. You rec'd a lot of great advice and I think you will be happy with cards mold. Did you get samples from anyone? I ran a large group buy late last year for the Aria's design and also have customs that I designed in 2020. Let me know if you want some samples.

I also have a huge collection of china clay samples and can give you input on differences in those if you decide to go back to them. I concur with the Pharaohs are better than Milanos opinions. They are similar, but the Milanos are a little more rounded on the edges and the colors tend to fade a bit over time. If you like the design (some don't) then the Pharaohs are a great china clay choice.

I’ve never had a sample of the cards mold so I would love to send a sample set. Shoot me a dm. Never held a China clay besides the Milano either so that would be nice too. I’ve postponed my purchase until we finish our house renovation but still fully plan on buying a set as soon as it’s done

 

[coolguy101]

The only affordable way to get Paulsons in your budget range is to harvest $1 from a bunch of of different casinos that have different colors, and then relabel them to other denominations. That’s it.

 

[TheYeti]

I just bought a new set of Key West (CPC) chips and will be retiring my set of Royals (Oversize 43mm China Clay from Apache Poker) near the low end of your budget. Nice chips, and they are great for the price, I just wanted to move up to something a little nicer.

200 x 25c
200 x $1
200 x $5
100 x $25
25 x $100

If you're interested, shoot me a PM!

 

[RansomStoddard]

Just going to chime in that the Royals are a nice set, I got some higher value chips to supplement another set and liked them enough to get a whole set.

 

[Talrem]

This was the second set I bought many years ago! The gray fracs (quarters) are rare and even back in the day it was hard for me to find them.
Great quality chips if you’re considering them!
Bought them here:
https://www.customizedpokerchips.com/