Simple/elegant chip recommendations (1 Viewer)

[redmonc]

Can someone help me find the right chips for me? I would prefer chips with as many of the following qualities as possible:

• simple design
• only denomination/value on the face
• no currency symbol on the face (i.e. $)
• no casino, brand, or logo on the face
• tasteful colors (not too bright or clashing)
• edge spots
  • not too clashing with the face color
  • consistent size and shape between denominations (only differs by color)
  • not edge denominations
• minimal flatness issues
• under $0.50 per chip
• ABS, ceramic, or China clay material

I'm considering two different chips currently: Rustic Ceramic poker chips from The Poker Store and Bank chips from Apache Poker Chips. They don't meet all my requirements. I love the look of the face of the Rustic Ceramic chips, but they don't have edge spots (they have edge denominations so a stack from the side looks a little plain/boring), the 1000/5000/10000 chips are oversized which I don't like, and I don't know if they have any flatness issues (as I have learned is common with ceramics). The Bank chips don't have a consistent size and shape edge spot between denominations, some of the edge spot colors clash a little too much for my taste (like the pink spot on the green 25), and I don't know how I will feel about the smell of the China clay until I order a sample. I plan on ordering samples of both these two unless I hear of better suggestions.

 

[RagingAZN]

For that price range, why don’t you go with one of the group buys from @justincarothers?

You can get exactly what you want with a no-mold custom chip. You could get some samples and see whether you like them before jumping in.

 

[RagingAZN]

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

This is the link to the group buy which happens every month.

 

[allforcharity]

Tina ceramics. Either full face printed or hybrids. Get exactly what you want.

But please, no rip-off molds.

 

[redmonc]

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

This is the link to the group buy which happens every month.

Okay, I was going to send a dm to @justincarothers but I don't have permission to do that yet. I don't fully understand the group buy thing yet. I know the purpose is to pool your money with others to get cheaper chips, but I can't just design any chip I want right? When I click on that link, it looks like I get my choice of mold, my choice of pre-designed chip colors, and my choice of pre-designed stickers. Or am I wrong about that?

 

[demonnic]

You can design you own and give it to Justin to order as part of the group buy and still get the same per-chip price. You will be responsible for the entire $80 label fee if you get hybrids though.

 

[mr11]

If you design your own, you’ll have to give him the drawing file from adobe illustrator. I don’t think a pdf will work. You could also pay someone to do the artwork for you. Not sure who does it but I don’t think it’s that expensive.

There are also a lot of predesigned options to choose from if you don’t want to go the full custom route

 

[redmonc]

If you design your own, you’ll have to give him the drawing file from adobe illustrator. I don’t think a pdf will work. You could also pay someone to do the artwork for you. Not sure who does it but I don’t think it’s that expensive.

There are also a lot of predesigned options to choose from if you don’t want to go the full custom route

If I'm going to go with the group buy option and I can design it myself, I will. Hopefully he will take svg, as I work a lot with inkscape.

 

[Colquhoun]

If I'm going to go with the group buy option and I can design it myself, I will. Hopefully he will take svg, as I work a lot with inkscape.

A CMYK Illustrator file is required. Depending on the complexity of your file I may be able to help you convert your Inkscape vector file to Illustrator.

 

[pkerface]

Is there a good place to get chip design templates? e.g. I think Aria / Bellagio etc. have pretty elegant chip designs but since we can't use those exact designs - maybe I can replace "ARIA" with another word but keep the rest of the design - if that's allowed?

 

[ChippinUp]

contact @justincarothers once you review the GB. Given the criteria these are the best option unless you are looking to up the budget…

 

[ekricket]

Is there a good place to get chip design templates? e.g. I think Aria / Bellagio etc. have pretty elegant chip designs but since we can't use those exact designs - maybe I can replace "ARIA" with another word but keep the rest of the design - if that's allowed?

Not only allowed, but been done to death. I’m pretty sure there are more Aria’s and Arias than there are actual Aria chips in existence.

 

[Cratty]

Original post seemed ripe for an AI take... edgespots need work, but I don't hate it. ha

But yes, I know I'm likely not adding any value. Good luck with your selection, OP! I wouldn't brush off a thought on a custom ceramic set either here though.

 

[zoomies]

I have the same criteria and got many samples from Apache, The Poker Store, and BR Pro Poker (including Bank, Penthouse, and Rustic Ceramic). I didn't like any of them enough to warrant an upgrade from dice chips. I agree with your thoughts on the Bank set. I like the feel of the chips themselves, but I can't get past the colors on the 25. I liked the photos of the 8-bit ceramic set from BR Pro Poker, but after all the samples arrived, my group decided we didn't like ceramics in general.

I just ordered 1 x 50pc of the Slowplay Godel chips from Amazon. It's cheaper than a sample set, and if I like them, I'm already 50 chips closer to a full set.

 

[Colquhoun]

I have the same criteria and got many samples from Apache, The Poker Store, and BR Pro Poker (including Bank, Penthouse, and Rustic Ceramic). I didn't like any of them enough to warrant an upgrade from dice chips. I agree with your thoughts on the Bank set. I like the feel of the chips themselves, but I can't get past the colors on the 25. I liked the photos of the 8-bit ceramic set from BR Pro Poker, but after all the samples arrived, my group decided we didn't like ceramics in general.

I just ordered 1 x 50pc of the Slowplay Godel chips from Amazon. It's cheaper than a sample set, and if I like them, I'm already 50 chips closer to a full set.

Have you tried a sample of ceramic hybrids? If not, I think they feel and sound different enough to make them worth a look.

 

[Taghkanic]

I’ve played in a game which used the Bank chips and they were pretty good as China Clays go. Definitely an upgrade from the host’s former dice chip set.

 

[Colquhoun]

I’ve played in a game which used the Bank chips and they were pretty good as China Clays go. Definitely an upgrade from the host’s former dice chip set.

I agree, I think those Bank chips would be miles ahead of dice chips or those 14g slugged Slowplay Godel chips.

 

[Taghkanic]

I agree, I think those Bank chips would be miles ahead of dice chips or those 14g slugged Slowplay Godel chips.

One thing to note about the Apache Banks, Majestics, Royals etc. is that they have very slightly beveled edges, which I guess simulates a bit of casino wear and makes them easier to shuffle.

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

The Poker Knight chips may be close enough to your description except they do have currency symbols. But the edge spots are consistent, the logo is a subtle watermark with no name so it doesn't stand out. They are inexpensive 13.5g china clays and can be had for around $.25/chip. But if you really want to meet all your criteria, I agree that Justin's group buy is probably the ticket.

 

[zoomies]

Have you tried a sample of ceramic hybrids? If not, I think they feel and sound different enough to make them worth a look.

I think so - I have single Monaco, Penthouse, Taj Mahal, Empire, and Mirage chips from Apache (please let me know if those don’t count as ceramic hybrids!). I haven’t handled any Tinas, but I just requested a sample now that I have enough posts.

Out of all my samples, most of the players prefer the design of the dice chips (they’re “classic”). The Slowplay chips were the first ones that anyone else actually liked. They also preferred the “heftiness” of the slugged Monte Carlos. Gotta take it with a grain of salt though, since everyone else is new and still learning how to shuffle chips.

My intention was to spend <$100 a very small set of ~300 of the Slowplay chips since we only have 6 or fewer players at a time, as a stopgap to get the dice chips off the table (mostly so we don’t have to remember denoms). They just need to be passable for the few months it’ll take to gauge long-term interest in a home game, and to design and order Tinas.

 

[Colquhoun]

I think so - I have single Monaco, Penthouse, Taj Mahal, Empire, and Mirage chips from Apache (please let me know if those don’t count as ceramic hybrids!). I haven’t handled any Tinas, but I just requested a sample now that I have enough posts.

Out of all my samples, most of the players prefer the design of the dice chips (they’re “classic”). The Slowplay chips were the first ones that anyone else actually liked. They also preferred the “heftiness” of the slugged Monte Carlos. Gotta take it with a grain of salt though, since everyone else is new and still learning how to shuffle chips.

My intention was to spend <$100 a very small set of ~300 of the Slowplay chips since we only have 6 or fewer players at a time, as a stopgap to get the dice chips off the table (mostly so we don’t have to remember denoms). They just need to be passable for the few months it’ll take to gauge long-term interest in a home game, and to design and order Tinas.

Those web mold Mirage and Monaco are hybrids. The clays from a casino are generally in the 8g-10g range, and it's more comfortable to handle them, imo...but it may be that your players are just of the mindset that heavier chips are better, and that's fine (especially for your wallet!).

 

[pkerface]

Yeah I agree 8-10g is more casino weight and more comfortable to handle. If you like slowplay design, you might want to check out their ~10g ceramic chips as well. they’re not molded but otherwise decent feel

 

[BigGrizz]

The Poker Knight chips may be close enough to your description except they do have currency symbols. But the edge spots are consistent, the logo is a subtle watermark with no name so it doesn't stand out. They are inexpensive 13.5g china clays and can be had for around $.25/chip. But if you really want to meet all your criteria, I agree that Justin's group buy is probably the ticket.

One thing to note is that Poker Knights suffers from a common issue in cheap chips where the red chips are actually the color of a bloody wipe after a taco bell bender. Basically brown with a slight red tinge. Desert Heat has the same issue. For sluggos, Monte Carlo and Outlaw don't have this issue and are bright red.

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

One thing to note is that Poker Knights suffers from a common issue in cheap chips where the red chips are actually the color of a bloody wipe after a taco bell bender. Basically brown with a slight red tinge. Desert Heat has the same issue. For sluggos, Monte Carlo and Outlaw don't have this issue and are bright red.

Absolutely true.

 

[zoomies]

Those web mold Mirage and Monaco are hybrids. The clays from a casino are generally in the 8g-10g range, and it's more comfortable to handle them, imo...but it may be that your players are just of the mindset that heavier chips are better, and that's fine (especially for your wallet!).

Thank you! Very true - if they’re happy with the Slowplays, I won’t try to convince them that I need to spend more of my own money. I can be content with a nice shuffle stack just for myself.

Yeah I agree 8-10g is more casino weight and more comfortable to handle. If you like slowplay design, you might want to check out their ~10g ceramic chips as well. they’re not molded but otherwise decent feel

I actually got those first - we liked the look but meh on the sound/handling, and for 50c/chip, the consensus leaned toward custom Tina’s.

 

[redmonc]

The Poker Knight chips may be close enough to your description except they do have currency symbols. But the edge spots are consistent, the logo is a subtle watermark with no name so it doesn't stand out. They are inexpensive 13.5g china clays and can be had for around $.25/chip. But if you really want to meet all your criteria, I agree that Justin's group buy is probably the ticket.

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I am considering it only because they are so affordable, but I was watching an old video and it said there was some sharp flashing on the edges. Is this still an issue, or do they sand their edges now?

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

Not that I have seen. I have a sizable set of these that I bought as a stopgap while I was waiting for my CPC chips to come in. I would let them go very cheaply. I can send you some to look at if you like. Also what denominations are you looking for?

 

[BigGrizz]

I am considering it only because they are so affordable, but I was watching an old video and it said there was some sharp flashing on the edges. Is this still an issue, or do they sand their edges now?

The samples I got were smooth. Still I personally prefer the Outlaws, Monte Carlo smooths, Spartans, and Manocos. Plus stuff from Discount Poker is the cheapest and best bang for your buck.