How many samples did you buy before taking the leap? (1 Viewer)

[dmcl924]

Hey, so I’m still new to the site and I’ve gotten used to seeing the mantra of “get samples”, but this has left me wondering.

How many samples did people end up getting before deciding to take the leap?

 

[CarlosStorm]

It depends on your budget.
I bought ceramics and some paulson first I decided to buy a set of Paulson I could afford.
Well, after that always wants more chips  

 

[dar24601]

Wait, people stop getting samples???? So if/when looking get a new set I order 2-3 samples. If they not what I’m looking for then order few more.

Eventually you’ll reach a place on your chipping journey that you have enough samples that when you see a set that intrigues you, you just order a sample before deciding to order a set

 

[demonnic]

I think I bought like 10 sample sets to figure out what my general preferences were.

I have gotten way more sample sets since then, just because I love the chips but can't/wouldn't get a full playable set.

 

[upNdown]

Probably about five. I think I got a stack of paulsons, a couple stacks of china clays and a couple stacks of ceramics.
Its interesting because at the time, there weren't any ceramic chips with molds. So on the one hand, you didn't need to sample a bunch of different ceramic molds, but on the other hand, there seemed to be a lot of manufacturers of varying levels of quality ceramics. But I decided quickly that I was going with paulsons, so it didn't really matter.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I got about a dozen sample sets before taking the plunge on my first set.

Sadly, 1 of the sample sets were CPCs and I still chose a semi-custom ABS set as my first. Samples are great, but playing on different sets is really the only way to be certain.

 

[bigblind]

get samples until you find something you like

 

[dmcl924]

I think I bought like 10 sample sets to figure out what my general preferences were.

I have gotten way more sample sets since then, just because I love the chips but can't/wouldn't get a full playable set.

I got about a dozen sample sets before taking the plunge on my first set.

Sadly, 1 of the sample sets were CPCs and I still chose a semi-custom ABS set as my first. Samples are great, but playing on different sets is really the only way to be certain.

Nice, I think this is about where I am at because when I started thinking it through I was already up to about 7-10 different samples that I wanted to check out. But I appreciate the takes!

I am hoping that I like the web molds from Broken Arrow in person, just because visually those are my favorite so far in my price range. But I am excited to start checking out more chips over the next few months.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Bought a set of slightly nicer than dice chips crap chips. Came here to talk about my slightly nicer than dice chips crap chips, and now I'm stuck here with a bunch of sets of slightly nicer less-crap chips.

To answer your question I had 4 sets of samples, some very low end slugs, then Chipcos, then some CPC Rounders and then some Paulsons.

 

[dmcl924]

Bought a set of slightly nicer than dice chips crap chips. Came here to talk about my slightly nicer than dice chips crap chips, and now I'm stuck here with a bunch of sets of slightly nicer less-crap chips.

To answer your question I had 4 sets of samples, some very low end slugs, then Chipcos, then some CPC Rounders and then some Paulsons.

That is also how I made my way here. I was simply looking for slightly nicer than dice chips crap chips, only to learn there are some damn nice chips out there.

Also nice progression of samples by the way.

 

[BPTDirector]

I wanted the exact brand I had felt in casinos so inquired there. That’s how I started with Paulsons(FLV and starburst) and Chipco chips. Then found ASM web site and got samples before ordering my custom ASM set 18 years ago.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I wanted the exact brand I had felt in casinos so inquired there. That’s how I started with Paulsons(FLV and starburst) and Chipco chips. Then found ASM web site and got samples before ordering my custom ASM set 18 years ago.

Ditto - wanted the real thing.

Unfortunately, my casino experiences were few and far between back then, so I thought "heavier is more authentic". After all, 14g is "official casino weight"

 

[mr11]

I’m kind of in the same stage at you. I got 5 samples. Few samples were to feel the difference between the different type of chip and then got a few samples after I figured that out

 

[jayfiggy]

I bought 0 samples. My samples were in the form of racks. Do not recommend. Many dollars lost.

 

[dmcl924]

Ditto - wanted the real thing.

Unfortunately, my casino experiences were few and far between back then, so I thought "heavier is more authentic". After all, 14g is "official casino weight"

Right there with you, it is wild I thought this too until only a few weeks ago.

Sadly the real thing isn’t budget yet, but I am excited to start picking up some samples over the next few months before I order my first legit set.

 

[redstar]

So many that they became my kids favorite toys

 

[Colquhoun]

A shuffle stack of Paulson Classics in 2005 was all it took and I was hooked. At 95 cents each at the time, I thought it crazy to spend so much on a poker chip.
Oh, the ignorance of what was to come.

 

[Tonystark137]

Before I bought my first set 3-5?
Got introduced to paulson by some local chippers and jump into the deep end...
So of the set I currently own? Zero.

 

[drdr]

None!
Straight to CPCs with no samples.

Don't do this.
(Worked out fine for me).

 

[MeridianFC]

I researched for months, got 25 starburst Paulsons. After that my first set was hot stamped Paulsons. Now this was 1998 so it was a different world.

 

[Kam]

Here were the samples I had - all sold off now to other chippers - keep your eyes out on the classifieds, some folk sell these so you can check em out:

 

[sonic242]

I am the oddball that hates sample sets; i think they are clutter and annoy me. I know what weights and styles I like and just can't stop buying more. And then later I buy some more. and well, vicious cycle.

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

I bought this many

 

[smashed_potato]

Zero…

I live in Australia and shipping kills any sort of feasibility with samples.
I was read posts on the forums for months before pulling the trigger though.

My thought process was if I don’t like em someone else will and they have decent resale value.

Lucky for me it all worked out.

 

[legend672]

None. Biggest waste of time and money in history. Jump right in with both feet like a man and don’t be such a pussy.

 

[SwissChip]

0
I knew i wanted Paulsons and at the time a few different sets were available (in Germany)
PCR, CdI, Classics, NPS, Pharaoh‘s and WTHC

 

[detroitdad]

I probably bought about 50'ish samples. Except my samples sets were 500-600 chips.!

 

[AfterHoursRob]

About 5 twenty years ago and just a couple more recently. At first, just some affordable slug chips so I knew they weren't going to be anything special. I got 43mm Monaco samples from Apache and found the quality and price point I was looking for.

 

[ChipsLooker]

I have fallen in love with so many chips and got tons of samples of so many! In the end budget determined that the ceramics from Tina were the best fit for me. Saving up for a clay set someday though!

 

[davesilver88]

I bought samples of essentially all the chips ranging from 20c/chip, to $3/chip. That included metal slugged casino royal, china clay, tina, brpro, cpc, and thc. Doing the math I spent around $120 on samples, maybe more.