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Playing with mint set (2 Viewers)

arch3r

arch3r

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Help. I recently acquired a small cash set of PCAs in mint condition and was all excited to host a game and show them off. But now that I have them and see how lovely they are, all chalky and sharp with no flea bites, I'm not sure I can bring myself to actually put them into play, for fear of damaging/ruining them or just having them lose that 'new car smell'. Is that crazy? Am I just being stupid and too cautious with the new chips? I have never had a set like this before and not sure what to do. Part of me is like, they are poker chips, they are meant to be played with. Enjoy them, show them off. Make all your friends jealous. The other part of me is saying they are WAY to nice to ever put into play and the guys I play with won't appreciate them so any wear they potentially get is wasted on these non-chippers.

So now I'm thinking I need a set to play with. I have dice chips and a set of Claysmith 12 stripe, but I don't think I can bring myself to host with them anymore. You guys have made me a poker chip snob. I'm thinking of putting together a set of used Horseshoe Cincinnati's for 'everyday' use. I know more chips is better, but spending more money, not always better. Damn this obsession.

What do you all do? Do you have sets that are just for collection and are never played with? Some of the sets that you guys post here are simply amazing. Would you consider a mint PCA set in that category? Or should every set see the felt at least once? What is your go to set that sees the most action?

Any help or advice from more experienced folks here is welcome.
 
IMG_1126.JPG


3900 mint paulsons. Going into play as soon as I can get them there.
 
In my opinion, if you can't bring yourself to play with them, they're useless. Who cares whether or not your friends appreciate them? YOU appreciate them.
I bought mint Paulsons and got them into play as soon as I could. I'm not gonna sit around stroking my mint chips while hiding from the world and mumbling precious, because I don't want to turn into Gollum.
 
arch3r said:
Is that crazy?
Click to expand...
Depends on who you ask. Many here would hit the "eff it" button and bring them to the table. Others would put them behind glass as a display piece.

Ask yourself this: do you want them for display purposes? If the answer is yes, then you know what not to do. If you can't immediately and confidently answer yes to that question, then put them into play at least once and go from there.

As for me, I'd put them into play asap. Pull that pin & let them chippies explode onto the felt, baby! Chip sets were made to be used! Just my opinion, though. YMMV.
 
ALWAYS play your playable sets. Otherwise just buy sample sets. That said, make sure everyone understands the value of the chips and the importance of their condition. I never allow shuffling with my mint chips. Might as well try and keep them in the best condition you can. But DO play them!!!!
 
Playing ina home game isn't going to instantly put flee bites into them. I have a big set that I bought from the original sale and have used as my main set since. I can probably count the number of flee bites on the entire set on one hand.

Use them and enjoy them.

Mint vs lightly played is so small of a difference that if you decide to sell it won't hurt the value at all.
 
Big Jilm said:
ALWAYS play your playable sets. Otherwise just buy sample sets. That said, make sure everyone understands the value of the chips and the importance of their condition. I never allow shuffling with my mint chips. Might as well try and keep them in the best condition you can. But DO play them!!!!
Click to expand...

I could never play at your game.

I'd get bounced.
 
Chicken Rob said:
I could never play at your game.

I'd get bounced.
Click to expand...

for shuffling? (I provide shuffle worthy chips for the people with the fixation .... (aka used chips from another casino) works just fine.
 
If my mint set ever sees enough play to become worn, I will consider myself fortunate to have been a part of such a long-running game.

My '05 Isthmus City set was played weekly for several years and the edges were not rounded.

I think it takes thousands and thousands of hours in play for chips to become really worn.
 
They were designed for years of wear at a casino. A lifetime of your home games may only start to slightly wear the sharp edges, and even then you'd have to look carefully. Play them and don't look back. If you must and have the capacity, keep a spare rack or barrel of each denom for posterity.
 
For me, I rarely puts the chips in play. Unless your crew appreciates them and takes care of them. Or you could be like me, get 2 sets, a mint set for collection and not so mint for pure enjoyment :whistle: :whistling:
 
I buy chips to put into play. However, some of the chips that I buy don't see play -- they go on the chopping block (although they might stay on the CB for several years before I can part with them).

I'm happy to read that yours will be hitting the felt.
 
I feel the same way about sushi! It is a work of art and I hate to spoil it by eating it...THEN I JUST DIG IN AND ENJOY!!!!!
 
Jambine said:
@arch3r Play them! Isn't that the reason you got them?
Click to expand...

Well I never considered owning a set this nice. I got lucky and won them in a raffle awhile back. I initially planned on playing them, but when I got them in hand, they were just so nice, I was afraid that playing with them might be a huge mistake. But after hearing all the "don't be a pussy, get them in play and enjoy", I'm totally going to just that. I think I just needed to get assurance from the community that it wasn't just a stupid thing to do. Like getting a Babe Ruth signed baseball then playing nine innings with it.
 
Coo, I take you off the list!

Nah, seriously though; It has helped immensely with the condition aspect of my chips. All I am really asking is 1. don't splash the pot, 2. keep neat stacks (no dirty stacks), and 3. If you must shuffle, I will provide shufflers. That is it my man.
 
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arch3r said:
Help. I recently acquired a small cash set of PCAs in mint condition and was all excited to host a game and show them off. But now that I have them and see how lovely they are, all chalky and sharp with no flea bites, I'm not sure I can bring myself to actually put them into play, for fear of damaging/ruining them or just having them lose that 'new car smell'. Is that crazy? Am I just being stupid and too cautious with the new chips? I have never had a set like this before and not sure what to do. Part of me is like, they are poker chips, they are meant to be played with. Enjoy them, show them off. Make all your friends jealous. The other part of me is saying they are WAY to nice to ever put into play and the guys I play with won't appreciate them so any wear they potentially get is wasted on these non-chippers.

So now I'm thinking I need a set to play with. I have dice chips and a set of Claysmith 12 stripe, but I don't think I can bring myself to host with them anymore. You guys have made me a poker chip snob. I'm thinking of putting together a set of used Horseshoe Cincinnati's for 'everyday' use. I know more chips is better, but spending more money, not always better. Damn this obsession.

What do you all do? Do you have sets that are just for collection and are never played with? Some of the sets that you guys post here are simply amazing. Would you consider a mint PCA set in that category? Or should every set see the felt at least once? What is your go to set that sees the most action?

Any help or advice from more experienced folks here is welcome.
Click to expand...
Purely a matter of preference. I catch flack from time to time, but don't pay them no never mind:D

I have both...playable sets and collector sets. I LOVE chalky new chips, and I LOVE playing with chips. No reason you can't have both. So just remember, while you will catch some flack from time to time for not putting sets into play, not a single one of the nay sayers will be complaining about them being minty fresh when/if you ever decide to sell them.

FB_IMG_1476018406815.jpg
 
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I can certainly understand the reluctance in using certain mint chips. But the solution is obvious.... just get more chips! :D
Then.... start by putting the less lovelies into rotation... soon enough, your friends will have newfound appreciation.... and yes, they'll want some nice chips themselves...

But more seriously, if I'm hosting among friends I want to spend time with, all the more reason to use the nicer chips! Treat yourself... treat your friends... Life is short!!

on the other hand, if your guests are clueless barbarians... Fuggetaboutit!!!
 

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