What do you like about poker chips? (2 Viewers)

[Hotus777]

For me, chips live in this intersection of art, history, economy, and gaming. It’s the only physical representation of all those elements I can think of, besides maybe playing cards, themselves.

My passion for this hobby is fueled by both the history they represent (which is why I’m trying to collect at least one chip from every Colorado casino), and by the artistic expression they allow me to apply to my own home games.

Colorado has a history of being the “gateway to the West” or “where the West begins.” Either way, we were born of problematic pioneers, hard-hearted outlaws, cowboys, natives, gangsters, prospectors, and the families they made along the way. Some of them were winners, most of them were losers, but all of them were gamblers.

That’s why, to me, each casino that has come and gone represents a little piece of Colorado’s history, and Colorado’s adventuresome spirit.

***

I’ve always loved games. Video games, board games, card games, you name it. So poker was an opportunity to monetize my passion for gaming at a young age, since money is how you keep score. I learned how to play 5 card draw as a preteen, and my friends and I would bet candy, pennies, even comic books in our wacky, childish poker games.

I’m my late teenage years, I started playing mixed games with my uncle and his friends. Because of that, poker holds a specific nostalgia with me. As a teenager, it was a venue for me to learn what it meant to be a “man.” To banter with other men in a safe space, under the backdrop of a friendly game, was invaluable to my early development.

It taught me how to take calculated risks, how live within a framework of “rules,” while at the same time learning when and how to bend and break them in intentional ways. It taught me that sometimes, you can do everything exactly right, and still not win. And sometimes, you can screw up and still get rewarded. It taught me how to win and lose with dignity.

I recently heard Johnathan Little describe poker as one, lifelong game where we all get dealt basically the same cards. In that sense, each game I play is like a chapter in the larger story. Each session has its own themes, each hand is its own paragraph, every action is its own sentence, and everything from the room I play in, the cards I’m dealt, the table I sit at, and the chips in my stack, all contribute to the larger narrative.

Between my Colorado chip project, Super Poker World tournament set, and my two custom sets (cash and tourney), I only have around 2200 chips. A paltry sum in this forum. But each one is an extension of me, my history, my values, and what I hope to carry forward in the narrative of my life.

***

Now, the prOn:

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Man, very well said.

Similar to you, every game I’ve played with relatives, uncles, my father, and cousins have all been nostalgic moments I will never forget. The shared stories and laughs have all been successors to good night at the poker table!

 

[4got2flush]

For me, it's the variety of colors, artwork, the way they sound, and the fun of pulling in a pile of them and stacking them up! I'm not in the addict stage yet, but I tend to quickly snowball with hobbies so we'll see...

 

[buffalojim]

I like that they are works of art that represent units of currency in a convenient way to facilitate gaming. If they didn’t do that, I wouldn’t want them. At all.

This

 

[Old State]

I’m actually not a collector at all and didn’t realized that people collected sets of old or current casino chips (verses singles) until I joined this forum. I’ve only ever been interested in seeing peoples custom chips.

I joined looking for inspiration for a new custom set. I like quality poker chips as an accompaniment to a nice table and cards. I bought my first set of ASM 20 years ago along with some Kems and built a table to recreate a casino or club like experience in my home. I live within driving distance of AC and to me it’s all part of that authentic feeling experience without the drive and with friends vs strangers….oh …and without the rake!

 

[Moxie Mike]

What do you all like about poker chips? When did you start collecting them? How many chips are in your collection? Are you a chipaholic or just an enthusiast? lol

Any and all comments are appreciated!

For me it's primarily about owning a piece of functional history. I use all my sets in my home games and I don't own anything I don't use... so no singles, sample sets, etc.

It's also cool that there's a story behind all the chips to some degree or another. From the Empress Casino that died in a fire, to the Bally's chips I harvested that are no longer obtainable that way, they're usually a conversation piece.

And lastly, there's the added bonus of showing off something that other people couldn't get without substantial effort. What? You like my Eldorado Club singles so much you're thinking of picking some up yourself? Sure thing - you can buy as many as you'd like on unobtainium.com

 

[ovo]

I like the pretty colors

 

[MeridianFC]

I appreciate that they are not illegal and as damaging to my health as cocaine. The impact on the wallet is about the same though.

 

[louBdub]

The history held within.

 

[Nine_high]

Wouldn't call myself a collector. I have a CPC cash set, a cards mold tourney set and a cards mold travel cash set. ~3,000 total. Other than a couple possible add ons I don't really intend to buy any more. Haha famous last words I know.

For whatever reason, I'm fascinated by the fact that these little disks of clay represent actual money, ranging from a few bucks to very large amounts. I can be sitting at a blackjack table with a few stacks of red chips in front of me worth a few $100. But I walk into the high roller room and there's someone sitting with a few stacks of purple chips worth the median US salary. If I have a barrel of chips in my pocket, it might be a few rounds of beers ($5 chips), a nice vacation ($500 chips), or a new house ($25k chips). (Ok I've never done the last one but it illustrates the principle.)

In poker, for me I guess this translates to someone having a mountain of small value chips, and someone at the other end of the table having a handful of (hopefully much cooler looking) high value chips worth more than that whole mountain.

 

[Johnblue]

Wouldn't call myself a collector. I have a CPC cash set, a cards mold tourney set and a cards mold travel cash set. ~3,000 total. Other than a couple possible add ons I don't really intend to buy any more. Haha famous last words I know.

For whatever reason, I'm fascinated by the fact that these little disks of clay represent actual money, ranging from a few bucks to very large amounts. I can be sitting at a blackjack table with a few stacks of red chips in front of me worth a few $100. But I walk into the high roller room and there's someone sitting with a few stacks of purple chips worth the median US salary. If I have a barrel of chips in my pocket, it might be a few rounds of beers ($5 chips), a nice vacation ($500 chips), or a new house ($25k chips). (Ok I've never done the last one but it illustrates the principle.)

In poker, for me I guess this translates to someone having a mountain of small value chips, and someone at the other end of the table having a handful of (hopefully much cooler looking) high value chips worth more than that whole mountain.

Have you tried a rack of THC solids ?

Just catch and release bro.

 

[Goldfish]

I am by no means a collector. I buy chips to play with them. I started out just wanting a set of Paulsons for my game to replace my chip co set that we used for over 15 years. My intent was one set and done, but this forum truly is a rabbit hole. Buying one set is like eating only one Girl Scout thin mint - impossible!!

This forum is so much more than just chips. I have been a poker player for a very long time and had no idea this place existed prior to 2020. It is the ultimate candy shop. One chip set turned in to two, then three, then four, etc. Then after seeing all the awesome poker rooms and accessories, I had to upgrade. I also had to embark on the adventures of relabeling and cleaning chips. So much to learn, so much to do!! Months of removing/replacing inlays (and a WTF from the wife)! Stealing the wife’s nail polish remover (another WTF from the wife and some hostility). Then I found out @Nanook would do it for me - YES! Then another frontier to conquer - ultrasonics. Cleaning chips fast! It was like chemistry class all over again (and another WTF from the wife). Then I found out you can flatten chips - who knew?!?! Heating pads, clamps, ceramic spacers consuming the kitchen table - let’s goooo!! And if course a WTF from the wife.

And don’t get me started on the creativity and talent of some of the members in this forum. Over the years I have dealt with many - all top notch - @alecnetwoodworks @Gear @Nanook @1enick72 @One Eyed Dollar @p5woody @timinater @Colquhoun to name just a few. All of you are awesome.

Then I read about meet ups! My wife thought I was crazy (another WTF), going to some guy’s house that I met on the internet with a pocket full of cash. What could go wrong? One meet up turned in to two, then three……now I eat at waffle houses all over the country.

This is a long winded way of saying it’s not just poker chips that I love, it’s the journey in this forum - a place where a group of people can come together to celebrate all things poker. Awesome ride for sure. Hope it never ends!

 

[RowlettTexasChipGuy]

They allow me to gamble efficiently. Thats it.

my answer as well

 

[Old State]

I have no interest in used casino chips or new “fantasy” chips which has saved my wallet. However, if more manufacturers put out generic designs like these classics I’d probably have another several more sets. It blows my mind that designs like this aren’t more common place

 

[grebe]

2 things:
-they are utilitarian. They are essential pieces of the game I love.
-there are enough different ones out there to provide a little flair to the game, and allow for a signature feel.

 

[upNdown]

I’m actually not a collector at all and didn’t realized that people collected sets of old or current casino chips (verses singles) until I joined this forum. I’ve only ever been interested in seeing peoples custom chips.

I’m the opposite. I feel the same way about other people’s customs that I do about other people’s kids - I’m sure they love them, but I’m not interested.
And fantasy chips? I guess the fantasy is that it’s like having real casino chips in your house?
I love real casino chips. Especially from interesting casinos. To me, they have this gravitas, because they’re real. I guess it’s kind of silly when you think about it, if they’re the same as fantasy chips or custom chips, materials-wise. But hey, we like what we like.

 

[Nine_high]

I’m the opposite. I feel the same way about other people’s customs that I do about other people’s kids - I’m sure they love them, but I’m not interested.
And fantasy chips? I guess the fantasy is that it’s like having real casino chips in your house?
I love real casino chips. Especially from interesting casinos. To me, they have this gravitas, because they’re real. I guess it’s kind of silly when you think about it, if they’re the same as fantasy chips or custom chips, materials-wise. But hey, we like what we like.

I'm kind of both, or neither. Some casinos have awesome chips. Some casinos have ugly chips. Some people have awesome customs. Some people have ugly customs. Some stock sets are great, others not so much.

While I do appreciate a good story, I guess I care more about the chips themselves.

 

[jdub]

WRONG!

To destroy your enemies. To see them driven to zee parking lot. And to hear zee lamentations of zee women.

 

[Old State]

I’m the opposite. I feel the same way about other people’s customs that I do about other people’s kids - I’m sure they love them, but I’m not interested.
And fantasy chips? I guess the fantasy is that it’s like having real casino chips in your house?
I love real casino chips. Especially from interesting casinos. To me, they have this gravitas, because they’re real. I guess it’s kind of silly when you think about it, if they’re the same as fantasy chips or custom chips, materials-wise. But hey, we like what we like.

I meant that more for inspiration. A better analogy would be looking at how others remodeled a basement.

 

[doakwolf]

I like handling the set, prepping starting stacks for tourneys, dragging the occasional pot, and coloring people up. I even like putting them away after the night is done.

Concur! I stopped hosting a few years ago and really miss all of this! Plus cash games and praying someone with lots of cash rebuys enough for me to justify a random large denom chip on the table for more colour!