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So, where do you start...? (2 Viewers)

AdamAAAA

AdamAAAA

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Hi guys.

I'm new to the forum. I've been playing poker on and off for about 10 years, but usually online and some casino tournaments. However, a group of work colleagues have just starting playing a few home games and it looks like this could become a regular thing.

However, we don't have any chips between us (we've begged and borrowed thus far).

I thought it'd be as simple as Googling poker chip set and picking up something that looked cool to play with. Then I found this site and things took a turn... Like most things, when I see that there's a 'better option' I usually go for that. I never knew chips were so complex. I've read on the different types of material used, ways of stamping and creating chips, custom or ready made. It's a mine field.

So, in lieu of a 'poker chip 101' thread (that I can find), where do I start!? I'm from the UK, we're about to start £0.25 / £0.50 cash games (moved from tourney as we prefer the cash game format) and I cannot find any cash game sets over here. Not for these starting values anyway.

Does anyone have any advice, hints or tips for me?

Many thanks,
Adam
 
Welcome! You will find a bunch of help here. I would suggest posting in the Tournament and Cash Games Thread and line out the specifics of your game with info such as limit or no limit, Hold'em or mixed games, Buy-in's and how the game plays. I am sure you will get the answers you seek since there are many knowledgable folks around here. Just be prepared to hold on to you wallet!!!

Enjoy

David O
 
Hi David, thank you for the warm welcome and the reply.

I'm actually just looking for advice on buying poker chips in the UK, wouldn't this be the best place for that? Perhaps my first post was a little unclear. I admit there was a lot of info in there.

Adam
 
If you are thinking about spending serious money, get samples. There is no substitute for holding prospective chips in your hands, feeling the weight, the texture and judging if you like one type better than the other.

Be prepared for frustration getting deliveries to the UK. Poker chips are shockingly heavy and thus quite expensive to ship. Lots of people just will not ship internationally.

Try to be patient and take the time to get what you want, once you figure out what that is. Most of us have at least one set we bought early on that turned out to be not what we wanted.

Welcome! -=- DrStrange
 
Thanks David, I'll hopefully be looking to do that.

DrStrange said:
If you are thinking about spending serious money, get samples. There is no substitute for holding prospective chips in your hands, feeling the weight, the texture and judging if you like one type better than the other.

Be prepared for frustration getting deliveries to the UK. Poker chips are shockingly heavy and thus quite expensive to ship. Lots of people just will not ship internationally.

Try to be patient and take the time to get what you want, once you figure out what that is. Most of us have at least one set we bought early on that turned out to be not what we wanted.

Welcome! -=- DrStrange
Click to expand...

Thanks DrStrange.

I'll try get some samples. There really are limited options in the UK. The first couple of pages of Google searches only shows what I assume to be sub-standard chips. I'm not after the best of the best, but I'd like some decent ones for the games I host.
 
Actually I've just seen Matsui are in the UK so I will enquire about their chips. Assume they're recommended as I see everyone talking about them
 
Marlow Casino Chips is in the UK. And the owner @David Spragg is a sponsor here and is the forum face of CPC.

You might want to check in with David to see what he has in stock at Marlow.
 
AdamAAAA said:
Assume they're recommended
Click to expand...

Get. Samples. First. Matusi's make a fine chip, but they're not for everyone. Some people love them. Other's think they're entirely too slippery. They definitely offer a unique aesthetic and tactile experience. They can also be pretty pricey.
 
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Welcome to PCF. As others have stated, get samples. I heard that when I first joined, and said sure... Then bought a set of Milanos (which I still like). However, I also wasted a bunch of effort with designing and labeling a set of plastic chips... I looked into several different china clay sets, and finally resolved myself to Paulsons for cash, and a custom set of CPC chips for tourneys. WAY more money than I initially ever thought I'd spend on chips. But the bug bit me, and now I wish I hadn't spent so much time/money on the chips that I wound up not using anyway.

You don't have to go crazy, but now you know there are decent alternatives, you'll be unhappy with cheap plastic chips...
 
Thanks guys. I'll certainly get ordering some samples. I see that a lot of places will do 25c chips for US but no 25p for the UK. I guess I go custom or use 25 chips and work in pence.

Toby said:
Marlow Casino Chips is in the UK. And the owner @David Spragg is a sponsor here and is the forum face of CPC.

You might want to check in with David to see what he has in stock at Marlow.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. I think I saw this site before, but was put off by the design and how hard it is to navigate (I'm an IT contractor, these things bug me). I'll perhaps send David a message on here and see if we can work something out.

Thanks again for the welcomes.
 
AdamAAAA said:
Does anyone have any advice, hints or tips for me?
Click to expand...

Agree with Toby - check out Marlow Casino Chips. - http://poker.marlowcasinochips.com/ David does a great job there and at Classic Poker Chips.

It's difficult to make specific recommendations because up to this point we don't know much about your game other than the stakes. It would be helpful to know things like your budget, how many players you have, standard buy-in, etc.

Regardless of that, though what I'd recommend is to look at "tournament" chips instead of cash chips. There's not a heap of options out there w/the Sterling symbol on them, but if you go with tournament chips and use the denominations as pennies then they're ready made. In other words, a T25 chips is actually .25, and a T100 chip is actually 1.00. For those stakes you don't actually need a .50 chip - just get sufficient 25's to cover everyone's initial buy-in (frequently 1-2 barrels per person, depending on how your crew plays).

If David doesn't have something that suits your budget/interests at Marlow, then I'd consider one of the custom ceramic manufacturers like Old West Poker Supply or Game On Chip Company. Both offer fantastic pricing on quality custom ceramics (and offer some fine stock sets as well).
 
AdamAAAA said:
Thanks guys. I'll certainly get ordering some samples. I see that a lot of places will do 25c chips for US but no 25p for the UK. I guess I go custom or use 25 chips and work in pence.



Thanks for the recommendation. I think I saw this site before, but was put off by the design and how hard it is to navigate (I'm an IT contractor, these things bug me). I'll perhaps send David a message on here and see if we can work something out.

Thanks again for the welcomes.
Click to expand...

Yes the Marlow site is somewhat... retro. Have a spin on the Chip Board then give it another go. It won't seem so bad.

Best to drop David an email.

Good luck on your quest!
 
What's the chip board?

Edit: nvm, I figured it was another site. Damn, that's nasty.
 
AdamAAAA said:
Damn, that's nasty.
Click to expand...

I desperately want @David Spragg to change it to a more modern forum just for the LOL's of all the participants bitching about the change and complaining about how "the old site was so much better!"

Actually I want him to change it so that it's actually searchable and usable, and so that the NCR posts (non-chip related) aren't mucking up the main stream. But yeah, the LOL's would definitely be fun, too.

One day, I might actually put my money where my mouth is and become a member so that my "wants" might actually matter for something.
 
Psypher1000 said:
I desperately want @David Spragg to change it to a more modern forum just for the LOL's of all the participants bitching about the change and complaining about how "the old site was so much better!"

Actually I want him to change it so that it's actually searchable and usable, and so that the NCR posts (non-chip related) aren't mucking up the main stream. But yeah, the LOL's would definitely be fun, too.

One day, I might actually put my money where my mouth is and become a member so that my "wants" might actually matter for something.
Click to expand...


they wouldnt let me post there because you have to give your real name and they didnt believe my real name is Ben Dover.....true story
 
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Squirrel Poker used to do some UK denominated chips but it looks like they stopped that.

Oh wait! It looks like "Premier" Poker Chips on eBay has plugged the gap in the market

$_1.JPG

$_1.JPG


:sick::sick::sick::sick:

In more serious news, Krony got some CPC customs done using Sterling denoms:

full


Subject to budget, I'd go CPC as I love the personalisation that comes with custom.

I've been working on a CPC cash set myself. However, I'm using cent/dollar denoms as I prefer the style of US casino chips (see cent/dollar, treat as pence/pound).

You could go that route or seek out some Paulson casino chips if currency symbol is not paramount for you.
 
Toby said:
I'd go CPC.
Click to expand...

Actually, (biting my tongue)... I'd hold off on customs until you get nailed down what denoms you REALLY want, the amount of chips you really need, and get a better exposure to several custom chipsets (and designs).

I've seen too many meh ASM/CPC sets that people rushed into and are now onto their 2nd CPC set, because the first set was (well...) meh! I remember mocking up an ASM set a few years ago, and I'm so glad I waited to get a better understanding of the product, my needs, and chip design. The set I have in production now is 1000% better than the mockups I did back when I started chipping. The fat tire chips will likely be my forever tourney set as a result of my patience.

I'm not saying this chipper education time-frame needs to take years, but I wouldn't rush right in and next week start designing a set of chips. Of course, I could be 100% wrong, and a set you design now might be a contender for the set of the year! However, as general advice, I'd start out a little slower than customs (unless money is not an object).
 
Psypher1000 said:
I desperately want @David Spragg to change it to a more modern forum just for the LOL's of all the participants bitching about the change and complaining about how "the old site was so much better!"

Actually I want him to change it so that it's actually searchable and usable, and so that the NCR posts (non-chip related) aren't mucking up the main stream. But yeah, the LOL's would definitely be fun, too.

One day, I might actually put my money where my mouth is and become a member so that my "wants" might actually matter for something.
Click to expand...

If I'm honest I was completely put off the page when I first saw it before this forum. It looks like it was built on windows 95 FrontPage.

Toby said:
Squirrel Poker used to do some UK denominated chips but it looks like they stopped that.

Oh wait! It looks like "Premier" Poker Chips on eBay has plugged the gap in the market

$_1.JPG

$_1.JPG


:sick::sick::sick::sick:

In more serious news, Krony got some CPC customs done using Sterling denoms:

full


Subject to budget, I'd go CPC as I love the personalisation that comes with custom.

I've been working on a CPC cash set myself. However, I'm using cent/dollar denoms as I prefer the style of US casino chips (see cent/dollar, treat as pence/pound).

You could go that route or seek out some Paulson casino chips if currency symbol is not paramount for you.
Click to expand...

wow -- those Premier Poker Chips are something else... I do like the CPCs you've posted, but now I see the sterling denoms on a chip, I think I too prefer the US denom.

Trihonda said:
Actually, (biting my tongue)... I'd hold off on customs until you get nailed down what denoms you REALLY want, the amount of chips you really need, and get a better exposure to several custom chipsets (and designs).

I've seen too many meh ASM/CPC sets that people rushed into and are now onto their 2nd CPC set, because the first set was (well...) meh! I remember mocking up an ASM set a few years ago, and I'm so glad I waited to get a better understanding of the product, my needs, and chip design. The set I have in production now is 1000% better than the mockups I did back when I started chipping. The fat tire chips will likely be my forever tourney set as a result of my patience.

I'm not saying this chipper education time-frame needs to take years, but I wouldn't rush right in and next week start designing a set of chips. Of course, I could be 100% wrong, and a set you design now might be a contender for the set of the year! However, as general advice, I'd start out a little slower than customs (unless money is not an object).
Click to expand...

Thanks. This sounds like excellent advice. You're right, we don't really know where these games will go yet, and I think we'll see how we get on after a few months of regular meetings and go from there.

I'm not necessarily hooked on the idea of customs, I'd also buy a pre-made set if it matched my requirements.
 
Hi. Come on in. Welcome to PCF. Today we'll serve some mashed potatoes with huge swedish meat balls and creamy brown sauce.
To go with, a huge glass of ice cold milk and rye bread.

AdamAAAA said:
I'm not necessarily hooked on the idea of customs....
Click to expand...

You will be. Oh yes, you will be ;)

Have fun, while making great findings.

-Puggy
 
AdamAAAA said:
I'm not necessarily hooked on the idea of customs, I'd also buy a pre-made set if it matched my requirements.
Click to expand...

Puggy said:
You will be. Oh yes, you will be ;)
Click to expand...

If you don't want customs, I heartily recommend that you don't look at @Puggy's Colony Club chips. Cos then you likely will want customs!!! ;)
 
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Welcome Adam-

Another thing to consider is that if you buy a nice set of china clays or casino chips, and decide that they aren't exactly what you are looking for, you are probably going to be able to sell them for nearly what you paid for them (depending on what you choose). However, if you jump right into customs, well, that's a bigger commitment. You're probably keeping those -- or at least there will be a more limited audience if you wanted to try to sell them.

Eventually you'll probably want customs, but I think it's good advice to wait. I don't have customs yet -- I'm treating that decision like the decision to get a tattoo. That set will be with me for a lifetime, so I better get it right!
 
liftapint said:
Welcome Adam-

Another thing to consider is that if you buy a nice set of china clays or casino chips, and decide that they aren't exactly what you are looking for, you are probably going to be able to sell them for nearly what you paid for them (depending on what you choose). However, if you jump right into customs, well, that's a bigger commitment. You're probably keeping those -- or at least there will be a more limited audience if you wanted to try to sell them.

Eventually you'll probably want customs, but I think it's good advice to wait. I don't have customs yet -- I'm treating that decision like the decision to get a tattoo. That set will be with me for a lifetime, so I better get it right!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the welcome.

I'm spotting a pattern here. Wait for customs, but get something semi-decent to fill the void until then. The trouble is buying a decent set. I'll Google China clays and see what that's all about as it sounds like this could be the avenue I need to go down until I really know what I need.

I've tried to find poker clubs or get together's here but it seems that there's a real lack of interest. We have a couple of casinos but always feel a little weird going there on my own... Anyway...

Thanks again.
 
Welcome Adam. Some China clays can be found here: https://www.apachepokerchips.com/

The Majestic chips and the Pharaoh's are two of my favorites. When buying chips your budget will determine what you will get. Your budget per chip would help us steer you to more helpful options.
 
Trihonda said:
Actually, (biting my tongue)... I'd hold off on customs until you get nailed down what denoms you REALLY want, the amount of chips you really need, and get a better exposure to several custom chipsets (and designs).

I've seen too many meh ASM/CPC sets that people rushed into and are now onto their 2nd CPC set, because the first set was (well...) meh! I remember mocking up an ASM set a few years ago, and I'm so glad I waited to get a better understanding of the product, my needs, and chip design. The set I have in production now is 1000% better than the mockups I did back when I started chipping. The fat tire chips will likely be my forever tourney set as a result of my patience.

I'm not saying this chipper education time-frame needs to take years, but I wouldn't rush right in and next week start designing a set of chips. Of course, I could be 100% wrong, and a set you design now might be a contender for the set of the year! However, as general advice, I'd start out a little slower than customs (unless money is not an object).
Click to expand...
Agreed. No reason to rush. Seen at least a handful of CPC sets recently that fall into the meh category for me personally. They are typically done by newer members that want the instant satisfaction
 

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