Need advice for chip set best fitting my preferential criteria. (2 Viewers)

[RagahRagah]

http://www.sunflycasinochips.com/pokerchips-apollon-hybrid.html

Check out the link above - that's the chip we are talking about

Those look right. Contacted them about a sample. Thank you.

 

[MillyS]

Those look right. Contacted them about a sample. Thank you.

No worries!

 

[BGinGA]

Yet so far of all the Ceramics I have sampled they feel like by far the most quality chips to me. Sleek and smooth enough and not too scratchy. But I definitely want custom chips.

Perhaps I need more recommendations for sites that do good custom ceramics as ABC gifts left me very disappointed, obviously. I'm very dead set on getting custom Ceramics of that Ultimate Poker Champion (WSOP) design.

Yeah, at this point I'm pretty dead-set on ceramics of this design, I just have to find a vendor whose ceramics have the smooth, authentic look and feel I'm looking for.

The only chips that have smooth and shiny surfaces are cheap chips (typically plastic or low-end ceramic), because smooth shiny chips play like crap in real games -- and the manufacturers of more expensive chips (including most ceramics) deliberately go out of their way to avoid it.

If that's what you want, then Nile Club etc. is your best bet. But you won't find many (if any) vendors that make cheap custom ceramic chips that play like crap, unless you go directly to China. Or try the distributor of the Boracay chips, since if those are smooth and shiny, they are also likely made by the same factory in China as the Nile Club chips.

And I have no idea what you mean by 'authentic'. The actual WSOP chips are most definitely NOT shiny or smooth.

 

[RagahRagah]

The only chips that have smooth and shiny surfaces are cheap chips (typically plastic or low-end ceramic), because smooth shiny chips play like crap in real games -- and the manufacturers of more expensive chips (including most ceramics) deliberately go out of their way to avoid it.

If that's what you want, then Nile Club etc. is your best bet. But you won't find many (if any) vendors that make cheap custom ceramic chips that play like crap, unless you go directly to China. Or try the distributor of the Boracay chips, since if those are smooth and shiny, they are also likely made by the same factory in China as the Nile Club chips.

And I have no idea what you mean by 'authentic'. The actual WSOP chips are most definitely NOT shiny or smooth.

Define, "play like crap." I'm not aware of much you can do with a chip in a game that would make it crap. Honest question, because off hand I'm not sure.

Also, by authentic I would mean real-looking. Because I have a hard time believing these weak, faded, somewhat blurry, dry-looking graphics from the ABC gifts chips that I got are authentic to what the real chips look like, I would be shocked. Maybe it's been awhile since I've watched, but I always remembered the chips at the World Series to look quite polished and smooth, just like the Borocays. And the sunflys look that way to me as well. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I'm not a big tourney fan, but I thought the WSOP used paulsons.

 

[links_slayer]

I'm not a big tourney fan, but I thought the WSOP used paulsons.

They used to use Bud Jones - maybe those are the version ragah is referring to?

 

[RagahRagah]

They used to use Bud Jones - maybe those are the version ragah is referring to?

I do believe those are one of the sets I was referring to.

 

[BGinGA]

Define, "play like crap." I'm not aware of much you can do with a chip in a game that would make it crap. Honest question, because off hand I'm not sure.

Also, by authentic I would mean real-looking. Because I have a hard time believing these weak, faded, somewhat blurry, dry-looking graphics from the ABC gifts chips that I got are authentic to what the real chips look like, I would be shocked. Maybe it's been awhile since I've watched, but I always remembered the chips at the World Series to look quite polished and smooth, just like the Borocays. And the sunflys look that way to me as well. Maybe I'm wrong.

You need to get chip samples. A lot of samples. Of all kinds of chips, including ceramics, hybrids, plastics, and clays, including home-market clays and real casino chips (plastic, ceramic, and clay). And a bunch of each type (like 20 or so), so you can make educated evaluations regarding the look, feel, sound, and playability of each available offering.

That's what everyone here that disagrees with your assessment has done.

If afterwards you still think that Nile Club chips are the 'most quality' and 'authentic'..... well, I guess there's no accounting for taste.

 

[RagahRagah]

You need to get chip samples. A lot of samples. Of all kinds of chips, including ceramics, hybrids, plastics, and clays, including home-market clays and real casino chips (both plastic, ceramic, and clay). And a bunch of each type (like 20 or so), so you can make educated evaluations regarding the look, feel, sound, and playability of each available offering.

That's what everyone here that disagrees with your assessment has done.

If afterwards you still think that Nile Club chips are the 'most quality' and 'authentic'..... well, I guess there's no accounting for taste.

I'm doing just that. What you like the look, sound and feel of is subjective, and that applies to myself as well. Isn't that what this is about? And I'm not of the opinion that Nile clubs are the best, just that they feel the best of anything I've touched so far, at least as far as ceramic goes. Insulting my preferences is pointless and doesn't help anything.

The thing that I don't understand is that I am laying out the reasons for my liking of the specific chips and you haven't really given me any reasoning as to what is wrong with my view. I asked you if you would please explain what "play like crap" means, and you didn't (and I do really want to insight on that). And furthermore, taste is a matter of preference. With more sampling I probably find something I like more, I'm just stating that I like how the Nile Clubs look and feel far more than anything else so far, and haven't personally experienced any drawbacks, which you won't seem to point out.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I do believe those are one of the sets I was referring to.

Those are plastic injection molded chips. Some people really like them. Some don't. Some plastic chips stack better than others.

There are casinos that use ceramic chips for both cash and tourneys. Some of these casinos use chips that are less shiny. They are no less authentic. They are just different than plastic. The hybrids use a vinyl label, so they more closely mimic the plastic chips, but they are not the same.

Most chip manufacturers who service casinos won't sell to home users. Those that do tend to be more expensive for customs. There's a lot of variation our there. Keep getting samples.

Being able to make stable stacks of at least 20 is important to most players. Even if you don't stack like that, a lot of your guests may. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[BGinGA]

Yep! I would definitely check this opportunity out while it's still ripe. They aren't the exact style of the WSOP chips from that image, but they're going to be a similar texture and weight to those Bud Jones ceramics they used in the WSOP (they're SunFly hybrids, specifically).

Just wanted to point out that the WSOP chips referred to above are NOT ceramics, but are in fact injection-molded slugged plastic chips made by Bud Jones, made available only to casinos.

I'm just stating that I like how the Nile Clubs look and feel far more than anything else so far

If you like the Nile Club chips, and want to make custom chips that look and feel similar to the shiny Bud Jones plastics, then you really have only two slippery options:

1. custom Matsui plastics
http://www.matsui-gaming.co.jp/english/casino/chip_top.html
http://www.matsui-gaming.co.jp/english/casino/chip_top.html

2. custom ceramics from MrChip.eu
http://www.mrchip.eu/store_eu.htm

Dunno if either will duplicate the WSOP artwork you seek, but probably not -- it is protected, and most manufacturers won't risk legal action. But either chip can be designed to look a lot like the original Bud Jones chips, and both will be way too slippery to be of much use in a real game imo. YMMV. Get samples and decide for yourself.

It is highly unlikely that any other samples you procure will have the shiny smooth characteristics you desire. But you may find that those traits aren't as important as you seem to think so now, as they are considered undesirable traits for poker chips by most people here.

 

[RagahRagah]

Those are plastic injection molded chips. Some people really like them. Some don't. Some plastic chips stack better than others.

There are casinos that use ceramic chips for both cash and tourneys. Some of these casinos use chips that are less shiny. They are no less authentic. They are just different than plastic. The hybrids use a vinyl label, so they more closely mimic the plastic chips, but they are not the same.

Most chip manufacturers who service casinos won't sell to home users. Those that do tend to be more expensive for customs. There's a lot of variation our there. Keep getting samples.

Being able to make stable stacks of at least 20 is important to most players. Even if you don't stack like that, a lot of your guests may. Just something to keep in mind.

I got that vibe. I'm going to assume ordering them for home use is not a problem with any of the vendors suggested to me so far. I'm not sure about sun fly.

 

[RagahRagah]

Just wanted to point out that the WSOP chips referred to above are NOT ceramics, but are in fact injection-molded slugged plastic chips made by Bud Jones, made available only to casinos.



If you like the Nile Club chips, and want to make custom chips that look and feel similar to the shiny Bud Jones plastics, then you really have only two slippery options:

1. custom Matsui plastics
http://www.matsui-gaming.co.jp/english/casino/chip_top.html
http://www.matsui-gaming.co.jp/english/casino/chip_top.html

2. custom ceramics from MrChip.eu
http://www.mrchip.eu/store_eu.htm

Dunno if either will duplicate the WSOP artwork you seek, but probably not -- it is protected, and most manufacturers won't risk legal action. But either chip can be designed to look a lot like the original Bud Jones chips, and both will be way too slippery to be of much use in a real game imo. YMMV. Get samples and decide for yourself.

It is highly unlikely that any other samples you procure will have the shiny smooth characteristics you desire. But you may find that those traits aren't as important as you seem to think so now, as they are considered undesirable traits for poker chips by most people here.

Thank you. I'm not ruling out any possibility. Like I said, my preference might change. As I said before, it was mostly the look of the chips when I got them that turned me off. The feel I could probably get used to.

 

[OklahomaBill]

find a nice used set of Royal Yaks.

 

[OklahomaBill]

Find a nice used set of Royal Yaks.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I got that vibe. I'm going to assume ordering them for home use is not a problem with any of the vendors suggested to me so far. I'm not sure about sun fly.

Sunfly will sell to home users.

 

[RagahRagah]

Sunfly will sell to home users.

Cool. Looking into that. Also, not sure about the chip quality but I must say I absolutely love the customization options from Matsui. That is just fantastic.

 

[Joe Harris]

please explain what "play like crap" means

For one thing, slippery chips often result in barrel explosions. As you pick up the chips to count them out, the middle few can fall away, which results in the rest exploding downward. This is frustrating the very first time it happens. It's extra annoying if shrapnel manages to land into somebody's existing stack, which can result in confusion about who owns which chips.

Another annoyance with slick chips is how easily knocked over they are. Even the flattest of slippery chips will move around every time somebody bumps the table. If the players are deep stacked enough, it's not unusual for towers of 40+ chips to exist..at least until Billy Bob gets up for a beer and scatters every chip on the table.

 

[RagahRagah]

For one thing, slippery chips often result in barrel explosions. As you pick up the chips to count them out, the middle few can fall away, which results in the rest exploding downward. This is frustrating the very first time it happens. It's extra annoying if shrapnel manages to land into somebody's existing stack, which can result in confusion about who owns which chips.

Another annoyance with slick chips is how easily knocked over they are. Even the flattest of slippery chips will move around every time somebody bumps the table. If the players are deep stacked enough, it's not unusual for towers of 40+ chips to exist..at least until Billy Bob gets up for a beer and scatters every chip on the table.

Thank you. These aren't things that really concern me much, considering my small home games and how often I have them. But I will take it to heart. I'm warming up more to the regular ceramics, I just dislike the faded, cheap look of the pictures, but I'm coming to realize that this seems to be the norm with this chips.

 

[Chicken Rob]

Thank you. These aren't things that really concern me much, considering my small home games and how often I have them. But I will take it to heart. I'm warming up more to the regular ceramics, I just dislike the faded, cheap look of the pictures, but I'm coming to realize that this seems to be the norm with this chips.

I think this is why you might really like the hybrids. The label is printed on vinyl and is bright, higher resolution, and shiny. May be your best compromise.

 

[RagahRagah]

I think this is why you might really like the hybrids. The label is printed on vinyl and is bright, higher resolution, and shiny. May be your best compromise.

Based on what I see I'd figure you might be right. But I still have to figure out how to get a sample, much less an actual set, lol.

 

[jbutler]

There really only need to be three posts in this whole thread:

RagahRagah: I'm looking for chips that are XYZ.
Anyone: Get samples. Your tastes will change the moment you handle the variety of chips out there.
RagahRagah: Okay I'll get samples and report back.

 

[Wils]

For one thing, slippery chips often result in barrel explosions. As you pick up the chips to count them out, the middle few can fall away, which results in the rest exploding downward. This is frustrating the very first time it happens. It's extra annoying if shrapnel manages to land into somebody's existing stack, which can result in confusion about who owns which chips.

Another annoyance with slick chips is how easily knocked over they are. Even the flattest of slippery chips will move around every time somebody bumps the table. If the players are deep stacked enough, it's not unusual for towers of 40+ chips to exist..at least until Billy Bob gets up for a beer and scatters every chip on the table.

Sounds like you need some Scrolls. Then you'll know slippery.

 

[Joe Harris]

Sounds like you need some Scrolls. Then you'll know slippery.

So I can discover more reasons why owning slippery chips is not for me? No thanks!

 

[RagahRagah]

So I can discover more reasons why owning slippery chips is not for me? No thanks!

Of all the chips I've sampled so far they are among my least favorites. TOO slippery despite having the roughest surface I've seen so far (which I also hate).

 

[Chicken Rob]

Based on what I see I'd figure you might be right. But I still have to figure out how to get a sample, much less an actual set, lol.

There are at least 3 sample sets being mailed around in the borgata group buy thread. Just ask to get in line for the samples.

If you like them, I'm sure someone will be able to tell you how/where to order.

 

[RagahRagah]

Figured I'd post an update to basically close out this thread. After all the sampling I did I'm settling on the ABC gifts chips. Although I originally said I didn't like how they looked and was unimpressed with them, after getting more experience I found that most ceramics have sort of a faded look for obvious reasons. The feel, size and sound of these chips are my absolute favorite and I have grown accustom to the design, and I did feel from the beginning that the horseshoe set looked absolutely fantastic (although after a very long and grueling debate with myself I decided to go with the WPS chips). As it turns out they are fantastic chips. Quite a bit pricier than I had expected but I believe the price is worth paying. The only chips I liked the look of more were the Mr chip Boracay chips, but they are a little too heavy and clinky for me. I also absolutely love the Ravernor Lucid Diamond chips and might still consider purchasing those as a separate set in the future. That was another set that was in the mix that I was heavily considering. Those Borgata hybrids from the group buy thread look absolutely amazing and I did contemplate those as well but upon sampling sun fly hybrids they weren't quite what I was looking for.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the thread.