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Playing with mint set (1 Viewer)

Trihonda said:
I'm going to offer a slightly dissenting opinion...

I'm normally in the "chips are meant to be played" camp.. but that said, a while back I traded for a MINT set of Horseshoe secondaries (hi denoms). These things were trading at crazy dollar values, and I think it was due in large part to their "mint" status. I didn't need the set for my game (my customs typically see the tourney felt), so I was reluctant to play these fearing it would detract from the value, Since I wasn't going to play these chips, I sold them to someone who didn't fear putting them into play.

In the end, I don't want to own a set that I won't play. But I recognize that some chips are more valuable in MINT condition.
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Got to agree. If I had a set that was getting crazy money, like $5 or $6 each.
.....yeah, I probably put those away
 
Though I believe wholeheartedly that playable sets should be played (or else, why the hell did you collect them in bulk?), I believe that once you get to a certain value, it is only prudent to play sparingly. I have a set where I paid $3-$4 per chip (on average), and I have over 3000 of them. They were only played once, then will probably not be played until a PCF meetup in September. I seldom play my clay chips in big games (2+ tables) anymore, as people don't realize how easily the chips can be damaged. Ceramic mostly for me, unless I'm around people who have an appreciation for chips.
 
Jambine said:
Got to agree. If I had a set that was getting crazy money, like $5 or $6 each.
.....yeah, I probably put those away
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More than $5 or $6 - the mint $1k's were selling in the teens apiece and the $5k's were selling in the twenties, I believe.
But I think this was more about economics than what should be done with chips. Trihonda didn't stick them in his safe to keep them mint forever. He sold them to somebody who was comfortable playing with a set that was selling for stupid money. I'd do the same thing. I'll pay $200-$300 per rack for mint paulsons and be happy playing with them. Racks that are selling for a thousand or more? No thanks. But if my salary suddenly tripled, yeah, I'd probably buy them and throw them on the felt.
 
upNdown said:
More than $5 or $6 - the mint $1k's were selling in the teens apiece and the $5k's were selling in the twenties, I believe.
But I think this was more about economics than what should be done with chips. Trihonda didn't stick them in his safe to keep them mint forever. He sold them to somebody who was comfortable playing with a set that was selling for stupid money. I'd do the same thing. I'll pay $200-$300 per rack for mint paulsons and be happy playing with them. Racks that are selling for a thousand or more? No thanks. But if my salary suddenly tripled, yeah, I'd probably buy them and throw them on the felt.
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I agree. I'm about to spend the most I have ever spent on chips per rack. I can't wait to get them into play.
 
Bergs Dunes set is a great example of chips selling for way over $10/chip. Some of the chips in that set were $60/chip. Fortunately, he built a playable set of them, and I got to play them.

The person winning his raffle is getting a steal at the raffle price. Even buying the set for $11k flat out right is a great price.
 
I just put some of my minty Empress chips in play the other day. Small game with friends and one of them asked how much I paid per chip (since he knows I spend lots). I told him what each denomination cost and I'm not sure they were too surprised (I was kind of drunk) although I think they were when I told them what the $1ks cost. I didn't put them in play until the second game where I felt it needed to be more "special" so we beefed up the buy-ins and slowed down the blinds for that game. Overall, they were glad (admired?) that I was willing to put the chips in play and that I didn't just want to keep them locked up forever.

I can't say I examine ALL the chips I buy super closely but I feel like some of my Samurai Palace chips have some little (tiny?) flea bites that weren't there before. I've probably played 3 games with them so far and I feel like having silly rules on how to handle my chips would make the game a little strange and less fun. However, when you guys ask your players not to splash the pot are you saying that all bets must be placed gently on the felt? Some players like to throw chips across the betting line (maybe like an inch of air, and not in the pot, but I suppose they could roll into it). I may have done that a time or two myself if the chips I'm playing with aren't super expensive.

If a more experienced member could tell me exactly where the line is for handling their expensive chips I'd probably be more at ease, especially with the Empress $1ks. They're way too nice to sell OR to keep in my closet forever!
 
Frank said:
I just put some of my minty Empress chips in play the other day. Small game with friends and one of them asked how much I paid per chip (since he knows I spend lots). I told him what each denomination cost and I'm not sure they were too surprised (I was kind of drunk) although I think they were when I told them what the $1ks cost. I didn't put them in play until the second game where I felt it needed to be more "special" so we beefed up the buy-ins and slowed down the blinds for that game. Overall, they were glad (admired?) that I was willing to put the chips in play and that I didn't just want to keep them locked up forever.

I can't say I examine ALL the chips I buy super closely but I feel like some of my Samurai Palace chips have some little (tiny?) flea bites that weren't there before. I've probably played 3 games with them so far and I feel like having silly rules on how to handle my chips would make the game a little strange and less fun. However, when you guys ask your players not to splash the pot are you saying that all bets must be placed gently on the felt? Some players like to throw chips across the betting line (maybe like an inch of air, and not in the pot, but I suppose they could roll into it). I may have done that a time or two myself if the chips I'm playing with aren't super expensive.

If a more experienced member could tell me exactly where the line is for handling their expensive chips I'd probably be more at ease, especially with the Empress $1ks. They're way too nice to sell OR to keep in my closet forever!
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Not splashing the pot isn't about protecting the chips from damage, it's about protecting the integrity of the game.

Splashing a pot can create angle shooting or down right cheating.

If a player throws a handful of chips into the pot and says he bets $100 are you certain those chips really totaled $100?
 
Rhodeman77 said:
Not splashing the pot isn't about protecting the chips from damage, it's about protecting the integrity of the game.

Splashing a pot can create angle shooting or down right cheating.

If a player throws a handful of chips into the pot and says he bets $100 are you certain those chips really totaled $100?
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Thanks. I'm aware of that.

I guess my question is where is the line between splashing the pot and betting with... flourish? Does throwing chips onto the felt separate from the pot where they could roll and collide with each other/the pot/other players stacks fall into that category? Nobody's going crazy but occasionally chips can roll as a result. I wasn't sure if I should request that everyone keeps the chips on the felt at all times while betting. Seemed to be more fun to be able to have the option but probably not for me if I'm using mint chips!
 
I have to face this with my Dunes soon. They have never been played and they will lose *some* value once they are. If I'm sure they are with me forever or I'm sure I can live with the value hit, I will play them. I have always fallen into the 'play them' camp but the price of the Dunes is cause for pause.

I also have mint Terrible's that I am pretty sure I am going to sell so I won't play those knowing they are likely on the way out. Otherwise I just play with everything. If I wanted untouchable I'd be a single chip collector :)
 
  1. Lead by example. If you don't toss with a flourish, they will be less likely
  2. Don't demand that they treat the chips like they're crystal wafers, but treat them that way yourself, and maybe mention it. Place your bet and say something innocuous like "Gently betting 2000, so as to not damage my babies."
  3. Get over it. They're either chips or an investment. It would be like buying a mint 1956 Corvette, and then never taking it out of the garage. There will be minor damage, but a hell of a lot more fun.
  4. Pay attention to anyone mistreating the chips. Then, on nights the perpetrator is in the house, you put a different set into play.
 
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Frank said:
If a more experienced member could tell me exactly where the line is for handling their expensive chips I'd probably be more at ease, especially with the Empress $1ks. They're way too nice to sell OR to keep in my closet forever!
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I bought a bunch of chalky mint Empress $1000 primaries for the sole purpose of playing them in my mixed-casino tournament set. And I have, many times. They are still worth 2-3 times today what I paid for them, but that's sorta irrelevant. Can't put a price on the enjoyment of using them.

If there's a price line I won't cross when it come to playing chips, I haven't found it. Most expensive chips I own were $95 each, and they see table time with the rest of their set mates.
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IMO - Chips are meant to be played and handled

Every single chip I have sees play. People are going to toss chips at times but that happens. I am okay as long as someone is not throwing them or slamming them into the pot. That is were I might say something.

I know many purchase chips as an investment. If that is how someone looks at a chip purchase they may find they will do better in the stock market or possibly contributing a few more percentage points to their 401k or IRA.

That being said.....
If anyone has some nice casino chips ,especially from Las Vegas, that have flea bites due to them being used and this tilts them, please send them my way. There is always room at my bird sanctuary.

David O
 
You just have to come to terms with it. Not every bet is gonna be a half-barrel pushed gently in. Sometimes people people gotta grab a few big chips and fire them into the center. If that's gonna tilt you, sell your chips and buy some cheaper ones.
 
Thanks guys. It was just getting a little alarming how much I spent on all my chips! I do believe they are meant to be enjoyed. I had no qualms having them in play the other day and they are really awesome so I definitely will put them in play again :)
 

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