Looking for advice/suggestions on first set of chips for college student (2 Viewers)

jadedrunner66

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Hi Everyone,
Fairly new to the community and a true novice at poker, I’m hoping to get some advice from the group. My son who is in his third year at college had asked about playing poker and wanting to learn. I played many years ago with some coworkers a few times but nothing too serious and never stuck with it, so here I am. I’ve been reading a lot of posts here and trying to get up to speed.

So my first question would be any good sites or books for us to learn? Secondly, I want to get him a set of chips and until I joined this community had no idea there were so many to choose from (my FOMO is already kicking in). For college kids who might not appreciate the value of quality chips, am I better off picking up some cheap off the shelf set or spending a little more?

I’m thinking micro stakes for 4-8 players and a budget of $200 if that’s realistic. Let me have your suggestions and thanks in advance.
 
Welcome! Well you found the community of chip snobs. Honestly for college kids who are just learning the game, a cheap set of dice chips (Target, Walmart, whatever) is fine. They can play whatever stakes they want, cash or tournament, and enjoy the game.

If your son shows some real interest, then you can think about a nicer set from here. But to start, cheap chips, some kind of topper or tablecloth, folding chairs, and plastic cards will go a very long way. Alternatively you can go all out and get him a very nice setup, and we hope to see it on Facebook Marketplace when he gets bored!
 
I think a budget starter set is easily obtainable. Check out the offerings in the classified section. You should find plenty of budget options. There also might be "black Friday sales" from the various vendors on PCF.

Given your son doesn't play poker yet, much less have expectations about chips, I would seek out the least expensive options. I wouldn't rule out dice chips, but you can likely do much better for a few extra dollars. Also, get a set-up of nice plastic cards.

Lastly, I encourage you to play a few sessions with him. Have fun getting started! Fancy chips are for later -=- DrStrange
 
I would honestly get something with denominations (i.e. with the values written on the chips). It's much easier to keep track of things at least at the beginning when you are still learning how to play (maybe some Monte Carlos?)

Hobbyphilic on Youtube has a great chip buying guide and I would suggest to check that out just so you get a feeling what is on offer.
 
I would recommend you
1. Look at Hobbyphillic on YT like ghas7er said
2. Look at Apachepokerchips.com
Amazon will have overpriced products, on Apache they have several good budget options to get a 600pc set for ~$150 and a 1000pc set for ~$250
3. Get samples from some of the vendors and see if you want to invest in a group buy for custom chips.
 
I would honestly get something with denominations (i.e. with the values written on the chips). It's much easier to keep track of things at least at the beginning when you are still learning how to play (maybe some Monte Carlos?)

Hobbyphilic on Youtube has a great chip buying guide and I would suggest to check that out just so you get a feeling what is on offer.
Thanks for the input, I'll have to check youtube out and I've been looking at the Monte Carlos
 
I would recommend you
1. Look at Hobbyphillic on YT like ghas7er said
2. Look at Apachepokerchips.com
Amazon will have overpriced products, on Apache they have several good budget options to get a 600pc set for ~$150 and a 1000pc set for ~$250
3. Get samples from some of the vendors and see if you want to invest in a group buy for custom chips.
Thanks! I do have samples coming and my son will be home next week for break so he can have a say
 
Agreed with the above. ‘Plastic’ or ‘ceramic’ chips will be fine.

I started in University with 1,000 Dice chips. Ridiculous amount and I remember hulking those about - it’s a lot of weight at 11.5g x 1,000. I ended up hosting multi-table tournies so it was worth it. For quantity anything around the 500 (+/- 100) will be more than enough to get started. Depending if it’ll be a smaller group, even a 300 set would work. The benefit of the dice is they are realistically indestructible - which is a factor when you’ve got a bunch of college kids drinking / playing etc.

I’m partial to the nexgen’s, above dice but below most ceramics in terms of feel etc, recommend you check these out - $120 for 500, you can pick the denoms:

https://www.thepokerstore.com/colle...00-nexgen-pro-classic-9-gram-poker-chips-bulk

Lots of options on poker mats, although could be questionable on what size/ layout etc - if they have a regular dining table or even costco fold up table could use the full size or round. Poker mats weren’t a thing when I was in uni.

I have this one now for the dining table, $100:
https://www.tritonpokertables.com/products/poker-mats

Some deals for round ~$70
https://www.thepokerstore.com/colle...nd-blue-suited-rubber-poker-table-mat-48-inch

I think your budget is good, you don’t need to spend much more to get started. You can get a decent set for $120 + mat for $70.

Good luck!

Kam
 
Let me tell you a story. I have three boys, all in college now, and we played poker when they were in high school, and they sometimes played with their friends.

All three of them went off to college (different ones) with a poker chip set, Modiano Platinums, and a copy of James Earnest's "Dealer's Choice: Saturday Night Poker". One had a Tiki Kings set from BR Pro Poker, one had a Rounders set from CPC, one had a Super Mario World set from a group buy here. One played a couple of games in his dorm, one never used his, and one started a Poker club at his school that died off. Nobody took their sets back to college their sophomore years, because kids these days are more into video games or playing poker online for real money.

My observations from seeing them play with high school friends -- kids think endless rounds of texas hold em is boring. Dealer's choice rules, sometimes even with wild cards! Chips have to have denominations, or you are always explaining what color is what. No one that age knows what "good" chips are, heavier chips are better, since they will splash the pot no matter what and louder the better.

The Outlaw chips that JackJack above suggested are actually the chips of choice among my boys' friends. Also, no one wants to use nickel chips, quarters are the lowest they will go. The more chips the better, so 25 cents, 50 cents and dollars by far the most popular, five dollars only used for buying in. Instead of a premade set, I'd look at sites that let you buy individually by denomination, you can put together a 600 chip set of the outlaws for about $120.

Best of luck.
 
I would say apachepokerchips.com is your best bet. You may be a tiny bit over $200 but better than most offerings at that price.
 
Chips don't matter <ducks>

Get a set from craigslist or facebook marketplace.

Two things you need to have a good poker experience - good quality plastic cards and a poker mat. Playing on a bare table sucks. Playing on any surface without a little 'give' sucks. Paper cards will be ruined after one game.
 
Chips don't matter <ducks>

Get a set from craigslist or facebook marketplace.

Two things you need to have a good poker experience - good quality plastic cards and a poker mat. Playing on a bare table sucks. Playing on any surface without a little 'give' sucks. Paper cards will be ruined after one game.
Couldn't agree more. The mat was an absolute game changer and well worth the investment. I believe I got mine for like $60 or so on Amazon a while back so not too bad.
 
My boy mostly plays during college breaks and summers. Tournaments ($20 buy-ins) is how most of them learned and started. They like knowing there is a beginning and an end.........I guess so they can predict when they will be back on the Xbox? :ROFL: :ROFLMAO: Lots of chips, big denominations and the more colorful the better! I agree with Jayfiggy, show him some chips at Apache and start there.
 
Take a look at the Tina group buy designs.

Thread 'CHIPS* GROUP BUY*: WEB Mold, GREEK Mold * Cards Mold * Textured No-Mold * 10/2024' https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...d-cards-mold-textured-no-mold-10-2024.123589/

If your son likes one in particular you can post a WANTED ad and see if anyone is looking to sell theirs. That pretty much goes for any chip he likes. See if someone is willing to sell. Most sets on here are either "never been used" or "used once" so it will be like buying new but typically at a discount and not having to wait for production & shipping from Hong Kong. Good luck!
 
Let me tell you a story. I have three boys, all in college now, and we played poker when they were in high school, and they sometimes played with their friends.

All three of them went off to college (different ones) with a poker chip set, Modiano Platinums, and a copy of James Earnest's "Dealer's Choice: Saturday Night Poker". One had a Tiki Kings set from BR Pro Poker, one had a Rounders set from CPC, one had a Super Mario World set from a group buy here. One played a couple of games in his dorm, one never used his, and one started a Poker club at his school that died off. Nobody took their sets back to college their sophomore years, because kids these days are more into video games or playing poker online for real money.

My observations from seeing them play with high school friends -- kids think endless rounds of texas hold em is boring. Dealer's choice rules, sometimes even with wild cards! Chips have to have denominations, or you are always explaining what color is what. No one that age knows what "good" chips are, heavier chips are better, since they will splash the pot no matter what and louder the better.

The Outlaw chips that JackJack above suggested are actually the chips of choice among my boys' friends. Also, no one wants to use nickel chips, quarters are the lowest they will go. The more chips the better, so 25 cents, 50 cents and dollars by far the most popular, five dollars only used for buying in. Instead of a premade set, I'd look at sites that let you buy individually by denomination, you can put together a 600 chip set of the outlaws for about $120.

Best of luck.
Thanks for sharing, those Outlaw chips look great!
 
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I’m thinking micro stakes for 4-8 players and a budget of $200 if that’s realistic. Let me have your suggestions and thanks in advance.

I happen to have some vintage non-denominated real clay chips that might suit your needs and budget. Feel free to PM me for details and pics.
 
I happen to have some vintage non-denominated real clay chips that might suit your needs and budget. Feel free to PM me for details and pics.
I'm sure these are your best option, but just to add input for yourself or others who see this - claysmith gaming chips on Amazon/chip cave are pretty good too. The local card club I used to play at in Texas used to use relabeled versions of these chips. I've had mine for over a year as well. So they hold up nicely. These are my favorite chips that you can buy from a retailer for around $150-$200.

https://chipcave.com/products/500-desert-heat-poker-chips-with-claysmith-aluminum-case

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I'm sure these are your best option, but just to add input for yourself or others who see this - claysmith gaming chips on Amazon/chip cave are pretty good too. The local card club I used to play at in Texas used to use relabeled versions of these chips. I've had mine for over a year as well. So they hold up nicely. These are my favorite chips that you can buy from a retailer for around $150-$200.

https://chipcave.com/products/500-desert-heat-poker-chips-with-claysmith-aluminum-case

View attachment 1433581I’m just a simple new guy to understanding the differences in the quality of chips, but are these the type of chips that have lead/metal discs inside? I play a cash game with some really old ones that the legacy players have played with for years and years and years. The problem I’m trying to fix as the new young blood in the game is that, as the pics I’ve shared in another thread show, the chips are chipped all to hell and we have to get them replaced. I’ve stepped up to find a new set for the 1/2 game we play, and these look like they’re in the process range we’re looking for. Will the ones linked here start chipping soon like the ones we currently play with, or is the material better than what I’m describing in the ones we currently have? Appreciate any suggestions if you have more experience with different kinds of chips than I do.
 
Make sure you know the chip distribution you are looking for, i think the OP was considering a micro stakes cash game. Almost any premade 500 chip set is going to be useless as a cash game, as well as useless for a tournament set. I would suggest finding a source where you can buy loose chips to make up the set that meets your needs.
 
I know people want a better set than dice sets grab Chinese ceramic chips (called "Tina" chips here), that's why you are here and you are at the right place. Ceramic chips are durable than plastic chips, so great for handling rough players too.

In my early college years, I played a lot of micro-stakes poker or blackjack with my friends and we used currency (penny, nickel, dime, quarter, $1 bill). We didn't like using coins only cared if we were having a great time, sharing that's how I did in college.

$200 can get a decent set up (about 500 chips) of no mold ceramic chips and will work perfectly for your first micro stakes set. Just like others said, there are many group buy opportunities by people who you can trust. If you don't want to wait, make a wanted ad now with what kind of ceramic chips you want and specify the breakdowns you are looking for.

At least you are not blowing up gambling, that's a better use of your money than how I blew my hard-earned money from dumpster diving, flipping on FB marketplace, tutoring math and physics, and campus jobs ahaha! Let's say you and your friends got bored, you can sell here to buy another set.

Nice to see younger folks closer to my age get into chips.
IMG_7732 (1).JPEG
 

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