Occasional home game host looking to get first set of "Good Chips" (5 Viewers)

[RustyShackleford]

I run a home game with some old college buddies. We use dice chips, but I want to get something better.

We play mostly .25/.50 or .50/1 NLHE, with some 2/4 LHE and some PLO mixed in.

Any suggestions on what denomination of chips to get for those stakes and/or a specific kind of chips is appreciated.

 

[RagingAZN]

There are so many options available but I think the most important question is - “what’s your budget?” Otherwise we would all recommend you to get the most expensive outrageous chips possible.

 

[doublebooyah85]

A nice set of Jack Detroit RHC chips will impress your friends and keep them coming back to the felt again and again.

 

[Oryx]

Also aside from chip breakdown the number one recommendation, for good reason, is to get samples! You'll be surprised by what you think you like vs what actually feels right in the end.
Also don't do what I did and rush into a decision you regret. Really think about the breakdown you'll need. Get samples and think hard about what you want.
Don't jump into a purchase without giving it much thought. This is a potential $500 (on the lower end) + investment

 

[embiggens]

I run a home game with some old college buddies. We use dice chips, but I want to get something better.

We play mostly .25/.50 or .50/1 NLHE, with some 2/4 LHE and some PLO mixed in.

Any suggestions on what denomination of chips to get for those stakes and/or a specific kind of chips is appreciated.

Wait a sec. . . Dale Gribble, is that you???

 

[PixelatedPunk]

Wait a sec. . . Dale Gribble, is that you???

Pocket sand!

As others have said, it depends on your budget. I am currently in a similar situation and have been doing lots of research on this site. There are lots of options. I was set on metal slugged chips until I joined the forum, now I’m looking at hybrid ceramics.

 

[Beakertwang]

A nice set of Jack Detroit RHC chips will impress your friends and keep them coming back to the felt again and again.

Maybe, maybe not. They might not be impressed at all, and prefer some other guy's Monte Carlos or such. Then when they hear how much he spent for them, they'll think he's an idiot. I broke out my mixed leaded THC's, and literally no one cared. At all.

IMO, most casual home game players would few it this way: comfy chairs > cool table > nice chips.

 

[Hot Nuts]

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

 

[doublebooyah85]

Maybe, maybe not. They might not be impressed at all, and prefer some other guy's Monte Carlos or such. Then when they hear how much he spent for them, they'll think he's an idiot. I broke out my mixed leaded THC's, and literally no one cared. At all.

IMO, most casual home game players would few it this way: comfy chairs > cool table > nice chips.

Hahaha yeah I was mostly kidding, but the JDs usually are non chippers and first time pcfers first love.

 

[Moxie Mike]

I run a home game with some old college buddies. We use dice chips, but I want to get something better.

Welcome to PCF!

First step is to state your budget. I think the lowest upgrade is probably going to be in the .25/chip range... prices go up from there to where you could spend $4-5 per chip (or more).

'Something better' is relative - mainly because anything would be better than dice chips

What interests you? Ceramics? Clay? Cancelled casino chips? Do you want denominations on them? Would you like them to be customizable?

We play mostly .25/.50 or .50/1 NLHE

A common move is to make the SB and BB the same regardless of the stakes you're playing. It simplifies things.

So I assume people are buying in/reloading for $50-$100 or so? You could easily run a game at these stakes with the following breakdown:

100 quarters;
200 $1s;
300 $5s;
50 $25s

That'd be a bank of $$2725 - which unless you're running multiple tables should be plenty.

As a point of reference, I run my big-bet games ($1/$1 blinds) with a similar bank (my set has 100 $25s and 100 $100) and have never been close to selling out. By the end of the night there's usually $2500-$3000 on the table.

with some 2/4 LHE

Well sir - let me be the first to plant the idea in your head of a limit set to go with your big bet set. You could play 2-4 with $1 or $2 chips easily... And if you ever raise the stakes $3 chips are an options as well... ask me how I know

 

[MC_CPA]

https://tigerpalacechips.com/products/tiger-palace-vip-1-cash-set-0-25-0-50

These ones are good.

 

[mr11]

I feel like the general consensus is that a good step up will be china clays from Apache. Ceramics from Apache or BrPro are good options also as they’ll be more durable and can have cool artwork

In all reality, they’re just a gateway chip and before you know it, you’ll be thinking about dropping $5k+ on a new set of chips lol