Occasional home game host looking to get first set of "Good Chips" (1 Viewer)

[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

 

[RustyShackleford]

As for people asking about the budget, I would say I'm looking for something in the $300-$600 range for a complete set. Since we play big-bet games more often than fixed limit games, my primary focus is the main set. $100 is what I cap the buy-in at, and I don't run multiple tables (Or even have the space for it, lol)

 

[Machine]

Welcome!​

Start with this post: New Member

And then read this: Cash Breakdown

Both found in my signature, landscape on mobile

 

[allforcharity]

At your budget you're probably looking at Tina's or China Clay. I would much more recommend the former than the latter.

 

[BKisback]

I think custom or semi custom ceramics are a great option for someone looking to upgrade. Not sure what the going rate is now, but you can get the colors and denominations you want and the full face printing allows for some cool designs. You should be able to handle $100 buyins for one table with a 500 chip set. Something like 100-200-160-40.

 

[BKisback]

And awesome username btw. Not a hardcore fan of the show but always found moments of it hilarious.

 

[chippitydoodah]

Go to the head of the class

Thread 'Consolidated Winter Sale: Kings Crown TRK, TP, TP Tri-moons, Harbor Lights, Chicken, RPC, Misc.' https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...-moons-harbor-lights-chicken-rpc-misc.129627/

 

[dar24601]

As for people asking about the budget, I would say I'm looking for something in the $300-$600 range for a complete set. Since we play big-bet games more often than fixed limit games, my primary focus is the main set. $100 is what I cap the buy-in at, and I don't run multiple tables (Or even have the space for it, lol)

As others have said is get samples many as it takes till you find something you like the look of but more importantly the feel of. For home game one of best chip upgrades would be custom chip that personalized to the home game doesn’t need be fancy can be simple as just name of home game

As for the breakdown your current dice chip useage help determine that since every home game different. Some .50/$1 stake games $5 a “big raise” and others it’s “small time” I’d stick with four denominations. 0.25, $1, $5, $20/$25 (if players can cash out and leave early a $20 makes it bit simpler)

The last thing I say is this the only opinion that matters is yours. If after getting samples and testing em out you decide a custom set of Monte Carlo is what you like best then that’s what you should get.

 

[bigblind]

samples

 

[justsomedude]

At your budget you're probably looking at Tina's or China Clay. I would much more recommend the former than the latter.

Tina chips get my vote every day of the week and twice on Sundays... Wish they were an option when I got into this wacky hobby.

I have a bunch of Paulsons and I’m still putting together a custom Tina set. For the price, quality, feel, and customization, they’re hard to beat.

 

[mdt11]

Grab this up and don’t look back https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...off-1-153pc-8-racks-2-buttons-new-519.129663/

 

[DeeVee8]

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.

 

[nano617]

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.

I make sure my friends know all about the chips . But it’s a pretty small and close knit game we have, so I guess it makes sense