Which direction to take my obsession? (1 Viewer)

[MegaTon44]

Hello, I'm new to this community and trying to ramp up my knowledge of poker chips in order to make educated decisions on purchases. I currently have a 1000pc Crazyhorse set, which I feel is a good entry level set. However, I'm quickly immersing myself in researching Paulson and CPC sets. Let me preface by saying that obtaining sample chips is a must before laying down any serious money. This is something I've learned over the years and a step I would certainly not overlook.

However, for the purpose of this post, I was hoping to get the opinion of seasoned chip fans on how I begin my journey.I suppose my question to you is that if you could turn back the clock to the beginning of your chip collecting, what would you change (or not change)? My goal is to have the most rewarding chip experience possible, while compiling some set(s) that would add depth to my home games.

Here's my current thought process:

• Paulson brand set
  • Classics, National Poker Series, World TH&C, Casino De Isthmus, etc
  • Though many people don't favor the mold, the NPS was the first set that got me interested in Paulson
  • Seems like a good place to start, but at $2.00-$4.00 per chip, these are not cheap options
  • Availability is minimal since GPI got out of the homegame market
• Paulson casino set
  • You are buying a piece of history
  • Based on my limited exposure, these chips appear to be generally cheaper than other Paulson options, but the chip quality could be less than optimal due to years of heavy use
  • Though my initial purchase would be for a cash set ($1,$5,$10,$25), I would like to be able to expand to tournament denominations as well. I would worry about finding enough casino chips to do this.
• CPC set
  • Seems like the destination for many chip fans
  • Also not cheap, but if you are going to drop $2+ per chip, should be a consideration
  • Is this too big of a jump for a novice chip collector?

I apologize if my thought process is jumbled, but I believe that I've found a great hobby and want to approach it in the best way possible (especially due to the financial commitment). Therefore, any words of wisdom that you would be willing to share based on your own experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Trihonda]

This exact conversation took place in THIS THREAD.

Especially the advice about jumping into CPC customs right away. I'd hold off. As I indicated already, I mocked up (even using a designer) some CPC chips a couple years ago, and they were atrocious compared to the CPC chips I have in production now. I learned a lot about what exactly I needed from a chip set, what colors I liked, what molds, designs, edgespots,etc... I have seen far too many newbies that have jumped into customs, and are now onto their second set of CPC chips, (presumably) because the first one was meh...

My advice is go with used casino Paulsons (if you already have CC chips and want an upgrade). You can find closer to minty Paulsons for relatively decent prices if you shop around. I actually find these hold more appeal to me, since they're "authentic", and not just a fantasy chip. I'm not sure the allure of the fantasy chip (over the real casino chips). But apparently, there are people that are willing to spend more for the fantasy chips in some cases.

Either way, keep us in the loop on your journey (with pics).

 

[MegaTon44]

This exact conversation took place in THIS THREAD.

Especially the advice about jumping into CPC customs right away. I'd hold off. As I indicated already, I mocked up (even using a designer) some CPC chips a couple years ago, and they were atrocious compared to the CPC chips I have in production now. I learned a lot about what exactly I needed from a chip set, what colors I liked, what molds, designs, edgespots,etc... I have seen far too many newbies that have jumped into customs, and are now onto their second set of CPC chips, (presumably) because the first one was meh...

My advice is go with used casino Paulsons (if you already have CC chips and want an upgrade). You can find closer to minty Paulsons for relatively decent prices if you shop around. I actually find these hold more appeal to me, since they're "authentic", and not just a fantasy chip. I'm not sure the allure of the fantasy chip (over the real casino chips). But apparently, there are people that are willing to spend more for the fantasy chips in some cases.

Either way, keep us in the loop on your journey (with pics).

Thank you, and sorry for echoing the same sentiment as the other thread(s). I did notice a few "how should I start" threads, but wanted to make sure I put my thoughts down to get a few opinions, and your post was very helpful.

The novice in me sees the World TH&C and thinks it would be nice to have a 1500 piece cash/tournament set, but not for upwards of $4/chip. However, the authenticity of the casino chips also has value to me, and based on your post, that is how the experienced collectors view it. As for CPC, I felt I was too amateur to handle it correctly, and your advice mirrors that thought. Thanks!

 

[Mental Nomad]

I disagree a little bit...

Perhaps doing your own art and sending it to CPC for a print run before spending some time looking at chips is a mistake, but I would not fault anyone who hires a competent designer, gets feedback from the community, and sends an order to CPC for production.

The thing to bear in mind is that if your CPC customs are very personal in nature, you're unlikely to be able to resell them... while most Paulsons and casino chips have an active secondary market, so you can put cash in them, and then take the cash back out.

 

[Trihonda]

I disagree a little bit...

Perhaps doing your own art and sending it to CPC for a print run before spending some time looking at chips is a mistake, but I would not fault anyone who hires a competent designer, gets feedback from the community, and sends an order to CPC for production.

The thing to bear in mind is that if your CPC customs are very personal in nature, you're unlikely to be able to resell them... while most Paulsons and casino chips have an active secondary market, so you can put cash in them, and then take the cash back out.

Yes, but chip design is fairly personal. And more often than not, I think all of our tastes (chip palate) develops a lot after getting our hands on a few different sets, playing with several different sets (at a meetup, for instance). A newbie might spend some time developing a set, that all the chip experts claim is fawsome, but then a year later, you're like... Meh... Not my taste (for whatever reason).

I would just advise a newbie to allow their chip palate to "mature" some before they rush into it.

And of course, there's the resale/value thing.

 

[jsta281]

I'm in a similar boat as the OP. I have a large set of CC Pharaohs. I would love a complete set of Paulsons. However I am not interested in taking the time to piece together a 1000 chip set, and I don't like the idea of mixed sets. And I am not dropping $3500+ for a set of chips. So that really only leaves me with ASM chips that are the quality of casino chip, getting the number and denoms I want for a "reasonable" price.

I agree the custom set would be fun (I have created many in my spare time) but ultimately will likely go with a Rounders set as I think they would be sellable if for some reason I need to sell them or don't play poker anymore. I don't for see either of those scenarios playing out but you never know.

 

[Shaggy]

I'm in a similar boat as the OP. I have a large set of CC Pharaohs. I would love a complete set of Paulsons. However I am not interested in taking the time to piece together a 1000 chip set, and I don't like the idea of mixed sets. And I am not dropping $3500+ for a set of chips. So that really only leaves me with ASM chips that are the quality of casino chip, getting the number and denoms I want for a "reasonable" price.

I agree the custom set would be fun (I have created many in my spare time) but ultimately will likely go with a Rounders set as I think they would be sellable if for some reason I need to sell them or don't play poker anymore. I don't for see either of those scenarios playing out but you never know.

That is a good rationale. On that same token, look into the Key West line of CPC chips offered by @dennis63. Here is a link:
http://www.keywestresortcasino.com/buy-casino-chips-racks--storage.html

 

[MegaTon44]

I appreciate all of the feedback here thus far. All points are very well taken.

I am interested in putting together a set over time as a side project, mainly for the fun of hunting for chips (just haven't decided which one, as I don't prefer mixed sets either). I actually prefer this to spending $3,000-$4,000 on a full set in one shot. In the meantime, I do see value in picking up an ASM set like Shaggy posted above to hold me over, all while honing in my chip palate to eventually design a set to my full desired specs,

 

[luckbox]

great question...to try and keep this short, if i had to do it all over again not much would change, i can look back at the thousands of chips bought and sold and its still fun, i have slowed the hunt down and limit my purchase's by adding to my current 4 sets, maybe a few collectible singles (stay away from those they can be crazy pricey ) and selling of some stray chips.

you are in the right place to gain the best knowledge available so you might avoid a few mistakes along your journey. most members here will give you options to solve most any question you have.

i would try and stick with quality over quantity.....if you are here long enough, your preferences will change over time maybe..buy sets you can use that work for your game, nothing wrong with a few that dont get used as much as others and buy what appeals to you....

but you might not want to link your paypal account to your IRA and accumulate 50,000+ quality chips in 10 or 20 sets..unless you really want em....not alot of members but yes some here have that many...

good luck , welcome to PCF

 

[MegaTon44]

great question...to try and keep this short, if i had to do it all over again not much would change, i can look back at the thousands of chips bought and sold and its still fun, i have slowed the hunt down and limit my purchase's by adding to my current 4 sets, maybe a few collectible singles (stay away from those they can be crazy pricey ) and selling of some stray chips.

you are in the right place to gain the best knowledge available so you might avoid a few mistakes along your journey. most members here will give you options to solve most any question you have.

i would try and stick with quality over quantity.....if you are here long enough, your preferences will change over time maybe..buy sets you can use that work for your game, nothing wrong with a few that dont get used as much as others and buy what appeals to you....

but you might not want to link your paypal account to your IRA and accumulate 50,000+ quality chips in 10 or 20 sets..unless you really want em....not alot of members but yes some here have that many...

good luck , welcome to PCF

Awesome feedback - much appreciated! Over time, I hope to be on my way towards compiling 4 sets. I will certainly be reaching out to fellow members of the community for pointers to ensure that I don't go too overboard.

 

[Lucky Dog]

That is a good rationale. On that same token, look into the Key West line of CPC chips offered by @dennis63. Here is a link:
http://www.keywestresortcasino.com/buy-casino-chips-racks--storage.html

A retail set like Key West makes great sense as a starting point. Welcome to the neighborhood!

 

[BGinGA]

if you could turn back the clock to the beginning of your chip collecting, what would you change

If I could go back in time, I'd buy the most expensive set(s) of casino chips I could find, even though (at the time) I thought they were stupid-expensive.....

.....because I've ended up buying them eventually, and usually at two to three times the cost of what I could have purchased them 'back then'. Furthermore.....

Buying high-end casino Paulson (or TRK) chips isn't really buying chips at all, in the grand scheme of things. You're really just renting them (and usually for free), since when you get tired of a particular set, you just sell them (rarely if ever for a loss) and buy another great set. Customs typically don't have that same value-hold, nor do most lesser-expensive chips. If you can afford the initial upfront cash outlay, buying high-end casino chips is by far the cheapest way (long term) to enjoy playing with really nice chips.

/end chip history & economics lesson

 

[MegaTon44]

If I could go back in time, I'd buy the most expensive set(s) of casino chips I could find, even though (at the time) I thought they were stupid-expensive.....

.....because I've ended up buying them eventually, and usually at two to three times the cost of what I could have purchased them 'back then'. Furthermore.....

Buying high-end casino Paulson (or TRK) chips isn't really buying chips at all, in the grand scheme of things. You're really just renting them (and usually for free), since when you get tired of a particular set, you just sell them (rarely if ever for a loss) and buy another great set. Customs typically don't have that same value-hold, nor do most lesser-expensive chips. If you can afford the initial upfront cash outlay, buying high-end casino chips is by far the cheapest way (long term) to enjoy playing with really nice chips.

/end chip history & economics lesson

Thank you! Being a finance person by trade, I could completely follow your train of thought in terms of essentially renting chips. I am actually proceeding down the casino set route for my first set. Though it may not be as expensive so as to ease myself into it, I do expect to ultimately adhere to the path you laid out. Your guidance is greatly appreciated!

 

[doakwolf]

Interesting way to look at it, @BGinGA. Good advice.

Got me thinking if I'm looking at it the right way.