New too the Chip World (1 Viewer)

[AceInLA]

New to the Chip World...Just wanted to say Hi!

...and seek the counsel of experts

I registered just a few days ago after becoming involved in the world of poker chips sort of by happenstance. Remarkable, I have in the past been a successful professional gambler living in Vegas, but only on sports. I have never sat down with chips and played with a bunch of other people, I DO love the sound "real" chip make...they feel great in my hand.

A few questions I was wondering about..

• Are Paulson Top Hat & Cane chips seen as the only "real" poker chips?
• If you are building a poker chip set for four players, how many chips wold you require and what would be the breakdown of denomination?
• Are chips from a casino that as been shut for more then 20 years more or less value?
• Are Chips from a California Casio more or less valuable that those from Las Vegas (or does it matter)

Very much appreciate ANY and all assistance.

Good Luck,
AceInLA

 

[charitycase]

New to the Chip World...Just wanted to say Hi!

Welcome to the Poker Chip Forum.

Are Paulson Top Hat & Cane chips seen as the only "real" poker chips?

No, there is a variety of other well-respected chips out there which are available for purchase.
The Paulson gaming chips are perhaps the most popular.

If you are building a poker chip set for four players, how many chips would you require and what would be the breakdown of denomination?

You'll get a lot of useful feedback on this topic.
However, let us know if you prefer your chips to be worth their direct face-value in cash or if you prefer a tournament-style (point-system).

Are chips from a casino that has been shut for more than 20 years more or less valuable?

Unfortunately, there's no direct answer here.
The supply for such chips is finite and therefore their demand can increase quite a bit.
However, the popularity of the casino, the condition of the chips, their style, mold, color combination...all impact the price.
Around here, this is considered a staggering short-list of examples.

Are chips from a California casino more or less valuable than those from Las Vegas?

There will always be exceptions.
However, you can generalize that Las Vegas gaming chips are more popular than non-Las Vegas casino chips.

 

[ratbastard]

Hello and welcome to PCF!

NO, Paulson Top Hat and Cane (THC) are garbage, so if you get your hands on some, feel free to ship them to me for proper disposal! (Just kidding of course, they’re amazing!)

 

[FordPickup92]

Welcome to the forum! Definitely going to need more info to help determine a breakdown. Cash or tourney, buy in amount and hours preferred to play would be helpful!
Paulsons are the most well known, but everyone opinion varies here, they're are the largest clay chip manufacturer still producing for casinos, they no longer sell for personal use. However, CPC makes wonderful clays that can be customized for home game use!
Value on older casino chips varies depending on the market at the time, and many other things like color/edgespot, denom, condition, and casino they are from
Again California Vs Vegas depends entirely on the market value at the time. Also, cali colors are quite different from Vegas colors and each are desirable to certain people.

 

[Eriks]

Welcome!

 

[allforcharity]

Hello and welcome!

You will have a lot to learn. Take some time, days/weeks/months even, to soak it all in before trying for a set. Get samples whenever you can. The quick answers:

1) Paulson may be the most famous name in contemporary poker chips, but there are many different manufacturers of "real" poker chips, and they can be made of several different categories of materials, and they all have varying degrees of availability. So, then answer is "no", Paulson is not the only game in town.

2) Four players won't need a ton of chips (unless you play limit, which almost always requires a ton of chips). It will depend on what type of game (cash vs. tournament) you play and the details that follow. It is "possible" that 200-300 chips may be enough for 4 players.

3) and 4) Chip value is highly variable. Rarer, better condition, and more sought after chips will generally be more valuable than more common, poorer condition, and less sought after chips. Depends what you want them for and what's available. Do you need a playable set? Are you collecting singles? How much competition is there? Famous closed casinos with an interesting history may get a premium. Some historical chips are unrecoverable because they come from jurisdictions that require chips to be destroyed when a casino ceases operation.

 

[Phish1321]

Hello and welcome

 

[AceInLA]

Thank you so much.

Very helpful.

 

[BELGRADE]

welcome

 

[Just1Better]

Hello and welcome. I can see you have had your questions very well answered. This forum is truly awesome, good luck finding your set!!!

 

[legend672]

Welcome Ace. Is that you Cowboy Bob Orton ?

 

[AceInLA]

If this is the place to tell you about myself and my chip collection...

Allow me to do that...

I joined PCF for tips on what to do with my "collection" of chips. (Long story short, we got them at an estate sale.) I am very grateful I signed up. The advice from PCF members has been enormously helpful. One long-time member simply said, "You have a lot to learn, Give me a call." He graciously texted his No. and patiently spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me. He schooled on the basics, simply as a favor, asking for nothing in return. (Bless his heart.) He told me what I have pretty good score: A large quantity of vintage clay chips in seven denominations from a California casino that has been closed for more than 20 years. (I'm informed the chips were supposed to be destroyed, but one of the owners carted them off and stashed them away in his home.) Some are dirty-filthy, others are well worn "bicycle tires," but a great many are in very good condition with a gold foil hot stamp from the casino still shimmering. They are all Paulson Top Hat & Cane chips. This is a brand designation I had never heard of in all of my 60+ years. Now, when I do online searches, I confine it strictly to "paulsons." I also took the advice of someone here on how to gently clean them. (Just a few at a time with mild soap and warm water. while watching TV.). Although I now have a blister on my thumb, I can see the huge difference it makes. At the urging of yet another PCF member, I ordered mineral oil. I must say it makes the chips look outstanding. But realistically, cleaning and oiling every chip might me a bit too much for me. And there was this bit of advice: "When you get them cleaned up, have a few friends over for a poker game. The sound of these chips alone is well worth it." THAT, I think I will do. (Pictured is my wife and I during our monthly 6am supermarket trip. We have been in quarantine since mid-March.)

But once again, I do greatly appreciate the help and direction from PCF members. Terrific people.

 

[i'm nobody]

Glad you found your way here.
Lots of great info and giveaways. Hint hint.