New poker set (2 Viewers)

[mikenij]

Hello! I made my account on this forum today. A while back, my dad and I bought a 500 poker set of Monte Carlos 14g chips. I like them but as I recently came across how amazing pure clay chips are I have been eyeing a bit on a new chipset. My budget is a about 500 euros and I was thinking I could ask her for some help from real veterans! I have been looking at both the Majestic and the Bank set.

I almost always play tournaments with about 7-9 players. Therefore I am looking at a new 500 or 600 set with clay but I would like to get advice on denominations that would be suitable. Also, if there is any other sets that you guys recommend besides the Majestic and the Bank that gets me as close to paulsons without actually paying for paulson, please let me know. The bank set for instance has the possibility with 2000 chips, is that relevant? I have looked at these websites as I live in Europe but feel free to suggest others: https://pokermerchant.com/ and https://pokershop.de/

Last question, I would like a few recommendations of specific cases for the chips!

Thanks in advance!

 

[BigGrizz]

I really like the Majestics for a great off the shelf chip. They also combine perfectly with Royals if you want your high denoms to be 43mm. So 5s, 25s, 100s, 500s could be Majestic and 1000s, 5000s, and anything higher can be Royals. Just a thought. Make sure to get a sample.

As for denoms, 25, 100, 500, 1k, and 5k. 100 is the workhorse chip. You could also do 5 instead of 5k and the 25 becomes the workhorse chip.

 

[Phoe9x]

Welcome to the forum! There’s plenty of threads on this site to go over the fundamentals of building a tournament structure and chip set. I’d recommend you check those out. You can easily get away with a 400 chip set for a single table tourney.

Key note that might be drilled into this thread by the chipping vets. Those chips are china clay, aka plastic. By all means they’re still a great set. I have a set of the majestics and love them. However its always to have a good understanding of what you’re trying to buy.

 

[Eriks]

Also, if there is any other sets that you guys recommend besides the Majestic and the Bank that gets me as close to paulsons without actually paying for paulson

Hello fellow Swede!

Unfortunately, nothing will really get you close to Paulson (or other compression molded clay chips) without forking up. The China clays are nice for what they are (they have a funky smell that some can’t get past though so do get samples first) but they are nothing like Paulsons.

Here is another reasonably priced option I would definitely use if I was starting out now:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chips-new-sun-mold-web-mold-greek-mold-april-2025.129138/

You don’t need 500-600 chips to do a one table tourney so if you’re willing to expand that €500 budget a bit, the real deal could be within reach. You’d most likely have to buy from someone on here but it isn’t as scary as it sounds.

400 chips will comfortably do. Like this or similar:

120 x 25
120 x 100
50 x 500
75 x 1000
35 x 5000

You could get by with even less chips. I’m not a tournament wiz but there are plenty of threads dealing with good breakdowns if you use the search function.

 

[mikenij]

Here is another reasonably priced option I would definitely use if I was starting out now:

Thanks for the answer. In what material are those chips and how do I see the labels that others have ordered in order to get a cheaper price? And in your opinion is this material better than china clay?

 

[Phoe9x]

Thanks for the answer. In what material are those chips and how do I see the labels that others have ordered in order to get a cheaper price? And in your opinion is this material better than china clay?

Those are what we call ceramics or Tina chips. They’re also plastic. However the inlay is essentially another piece of plastic that is fused onto the chip itself compared to the china clay where it’s just a sticker.

The Tina's have the advantage of being able to choose any chip from all the designs that have previously been made. If you want a custom inlay, then you can pay ~$60 to change the design (per chip design?).

 

[mikenij]

Those are what we call ceramics or Tina chips. They’re also plastic. However the inlay is essentially another piece of plastic that is fused onto the chip itself compared to the china clay where it’s just a sticker.

The Tina's have the advantage of being able to choose any chip from all the designs that have previously been made. If you want a custom inlay, then you can pay ~$60 to change the design (per chip design?).

Thanks for the answer. I have heard that there are mixed feelings about ceramic chips and I have not really decided if I like them or not. I have heard about something called hybrid ceramics but I cant really find much of it online, what is that and is that another option I can choose from? Do anyone have any recommended specific sets or materials they use for their torunament/cash games?

 

[bigblind]

welcome

 

[mikenij]

Thank you!

 

[Eriks]

Thanks for the answer. In what material are those chips and how do I see the labels that others have ordered in order to get a cheaper price? And in your opinion is this material better than china clay?

Not better, not worse, only different. You need to decide what you like best. I don't have a sample set anymore or I would've sent it to you.
I have owned sets of both China clay and ceramics and I like them both. The really nice thing about @justincarothers group buy chips is that you can get whatever you want in terms of customization and there are tons of stock options. If I had to choose I'd go with those ceramics rather than China clay.

Here are a bunch of sets that would work for your needs. Some already sold/unavailable but just to give you an idea of what you could get a hold of on here at, slightly above or well above your current budget (you certainly wouldn't be the first coming here on a tight budget but ending up with something way more expensive - the sickness is real). Feel free to reach out if you have questions regarding buying stuff here (or whatever else)

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...sell-1-50-a-chip-shipped.130036/#post-2666381
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/bcc-red-lotus-stt-set-custom-bccs.129140/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-flamingo-thc-stt-set.129751/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/royal-yak-400pc-t25-stt-set.129613/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/400-chips-cpc-summit.128856/#post-2647061
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/wsop-horseshoe-43mm-matsui-stt-worldwide-shipping.130082/

 

[mikenij]

Not better, not worse, only different. You need to decide what you like best. I don't have a sample set anymore or I would've sent it to you.
I have owned sets of both China clay and ceramics and I like them both. The really nice thing about @justincarothers group buy chips is that you can get whatever you want in terms of customization and there are tons of stock options. If I had to choose I'd go with those ceramics rather than China clay.

Here are a bunch of sets that would work for your needs. Some already sold/unavailable but just to give you an idea of what you could get a hold of on here at, slightly above or well above your current budget (you certainly wouldn't be the first coming here on a tight budget but ending up with something way more expensive - the sickness is real). Feel free to reach out if you have questions regarding buying stuff here (or whatever else)

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...sell-1-50-a-chip-shipped.130036/#post-2666381
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/bcc-red-lotus-stt-set-custom-bccs.129140/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-flamingo-thc-stt-set.129751/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/royal-yak-400pc-t25-stt-set.129613/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/400-chips-cpc-summit.128856/#post-2647061
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/wsop-horseshoe-43mm-matsui-stt-worldwide-shipping.130082/

Thanks a lot fellow swede! I really liked the first one you sent, is that ceramic? I have always like the look of mold on poker chips but many ceramics I have looked at before are completely slick and flat. But thanks a lot!

 

[Eriks]

Thanks a lot fellow swede! I really liked the first one you sent, is that ceramic? I have always like the look of mold on poker chips but many ceramics I have looked at before are completely slick and flat. But thanks a lot!

No sir, those are Paulsons

 

[Eriks]

No sir, those are Paulsons

Or you mean those very first ones? The groupbuy. Those are ceramics with a recess/label

 

[Phoe9x]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

Worth a read

 

[Kam]

Welcome!

 

[mikenij]

Or you mean those very first ones? The groupbuy. Those are ceramics with a recess/label

Yes the very first one, so there are ceramics that can have a nice texture, I will look into that

 

[mikenij]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-members-start-here.85303/

Worth a read

Thank you, I realized that this one could have been helpful to read before I started this thread!

 

[mikenij]

I find it hard to decide on what I want. Should I just roll with china clay? Or should I try ceramics that have texture? Maybe I should customize via that group by? There is lots of options and I feel like many people suggest getting samples of different ones. Is there some in particular I should try out? In that case I guess there is specific threads for that?

 

[mr11]

Welcome to the rabbit hole my friend!

 

[mr11]

I find it hard to decide on what I want. Should I just roll with china clay? Or should I try ceramics that have texture? Maybe I should customize via that group by? There is lots of options and I feel like many people suggest getting samples of different ones. Is there some in particular I should try out? In that case I guess there is specific threads for that?

As someone who is about a month into this addiction, I’ll try to get you up to speed.

China clays will give you a similar feeling to real clay chips at a fraction of the cost. You’re paying for what you get so there may be some quality issues with paint, size, alignment, etc. PCF’ers have mentioned that these will breakdown over time and they can easily break during play.

Ceramics are going to be flat discs with art work painted onto them. They are very durable and take heavy use before they start to wear. They won’t feel or sound like clays. These typically have more exotic designs but have some molds that look more like casino chips.

From my understanding, Tina chips are kind of a middle ground where you get the durability and feel of ceramic but designs more like clays. These have some quality issues with paint and spinners. I’m still learning about these.

There’s abs chips that are plastic with a metal insert. They’re the cheapest out there (besides dice chips) and you’ll notice that in the feel, sound, and artwork of the chip.

Then there’s clay chips (Paulson/CPC) which are the most expensive but are casino grade. I think everyone would prefer to play with these but the price point can make it hard to have as an entry set

I tried to keep it short and sweet and I’m sure others can explain it better but hopefully that helps. I’d emphasize getting samples of each type so you can understand the feel, sound, look of each type. I’ve watched hours of hobbyphillic on YouTube and this may help narrow your search. Otherwise you can search anything on this forum and it’s probably been discussed before.

 

[mikenij]

As someone who is about a month into this addiction, I’ll try to get you up to speed.

China clays will give you a similar feeling to real clay chips at a fraction of the cost. You’re paying for what you get so there may be some quality issues with paint, size, alignment, etc. PCF’ers have mentioned that these will breakdown over time and they can easily break during play.

Ceramics are going to be flat discs with art work painted onto them. They are very durable and take heavy use before they start to wear. They won’t feel or sound like clays. These typically have more exotic designs but have some molds that look more like casino chips.

From my understanding, Tina chips are kind of a middle ground where you get the durability and feel of ceramic but designs more like clays. These have some quality issues with paint and spinners. I’m still learning about these.

There’s abs chips that are plastic with a metal insert. They’re the cheapest out there (besides dice chips) and you’ll notice that in the feel, sound, and artwork of the chip.

Then there’s clay chips (Paulson/CPC) which are the most expensive but are casino grade. I think everyone would prefer to play with these but the price point can make it hard to have as an entry set

I tried to keep it short and sweet and I’m sure others can explain it better but hopefully that helps. I’d emphasize getting samples of each type so you can understand the feel, sound, look of each type. I’ve watched hours of hobbyphillic on YouTube and this may help narrow your search. Otherwise you can search anything on this forum and it’s probably been discussed before.

Thank you! Really good summary!

 

[Phoe9x]

Get samples!!!

 

[Syzygyy]

I would get some samples from poker shop.de if Europe based and go from there. They have ceramics and china clay

 

[Eriks]

I would get some samples from poker shop.de if Europe based and go from there. They have ceramics and china clay

Good idea!

https://pokershop.de/CLAY-CHIPS

And to help you navigate, The bank, Royals, Majestics and Milanos are the china clay ones and all very similar. Majestics and Royals are exactly the same except size (Royals are 43mm oversized chips). The rest are sluggos (low quality plastic chips with metal inserts for weight) if I’m not mistaken.

Their ceramic chips are most likely all the same except design.

You can also start a wanted thread in the classifieds section here and buy some. Samples do get passed around and I’m sure you’d be able to find some within EU. I would really try to get ahold of samples from the group buy ceramics if I were you.

Where in Sweden are you by the way?

 

[mikenij]

Good idea!

https://pokershop.de/CLAY-CHIPS

And to help you navigate, The bank, Royals, Majestics and Milanos are the china clay ones and all very similar. Majestics and Royals are exactly the same except size (Royals are 43mm oversized chips). The rest are sluggos (low quality plastic chips with metal inserts for weight) if I’m not mistaken.

Their ceramic chips are most likely all the same except design.

You can also start a wanted thread in the classifieds section here and buy some. Samples do get passed around and I’m sure you’d be able to find some within EU. I would really try to get ahold of samples from the group buy ceramics if I were you.

Where in Sweden are you by the way?

Thanks! I am in linköping!

 

[Eriks]

Thanks! I am in linköping!

Not too far away. You should come and join our game sometime. We’re three PCFers around the Stockholm area: Enköping, Uppsala and myself in Åkersberga. Premium chips guaranteed

 

[mikenij]

Not too far away. You should come and join our game sometime. We’re three PCFers around the Stockholm area: Enköping, Uppsala and myself in Åkersberga. Premium chips guaranteed

Oh really? Of course I might come! When do you guys usually play?

 

[Eriks]

Oh really? Of course I might come! When do you guys usually play?

Nothing regular but as often as we can. Maybe once a month on average

 

[Colquhoun]

As someone who is about a month into this addiction, I’ll try to get you up to speed.

China clays will give you a similar feeling to real clay chips at a fraction of the cost. You’re paying for what you get so there may be some quality issues with paint, size, alignment, etc. PCF’ers have mentioned that these will breakdown over time and they can easily break during play.

Ceramics are going to be flat discs with art work painted onto them. They are very durable and take heavy use before they start to wear. They won’t feel or sound like clays. These typically have more exotic designs but have some molds that look more like casino chips.

From my understanding, Tina chips are kind of a middle ground where you get the durability and feel of ceramic but designs more like clays. These have some quality issues with paint and spinners. I’m still learning about these.

There’s abs chips that are plastic with a metal insert. They’re the cheapest out there (besides dice chips) and you’ll notice that in the feel, sound, and artwork of the chip.

Then there’s clay chips (Paulson/CPC) which are the most expensive but are casino grade. I think everyone would prefer to play with these but the price point can make it hard to have as an entry set

I tried to keep it short and sweet and I’m sure others can explain it better but hopefully that helps. I’d emphasize getting samples of each type so you can understand the feel, sound, look of each type. I’ve watched hours of hobbyphillic on YouTube and this may help narrow your search. Otherwise you can search anything on this forum and it’s probably been discussed before.

Not all Tina chips are the same.
The no-molds are flat discs that are print to spinners (10%-15%), and don’t sound like clays.
The hybrids are far superior, imo. They don’t have spinners and sound more like a clay chip than almost any non-clay chip out there.
Get samples.

 

[mikenij]

Not all Tina chips are the same.
The no-molds are flat discs that are print to spinners (10%-15%), and don’t sound like clays.
The hybrids are far superior, imo. They don’t have spinners and sound more like a clay chip than almost any non-clay chip out there.
Get samples.

Okay thanks, Do you have any recommendations of those hybrids and where to buy them on this forum/outside of the forum?