Windwalker’s Chipping Journey in Pr0n0grAph1C Detail (12 Viewers)

Do you wonder what chips you will want a year from now?

I have yet to build a multi-year roadmap of my chipping journey (is there such a thing? Does anyone have a template? :) ), but I am pretty sure that something custom that ONLY I own is firmly somewhere in my future.

At the pace you are acquiring sets are you able to appreciate any of them truly?

This is an existential question that requires an existential answer; Plato considered man’s yearning to possess things (property) an undesirable trait which superior men could and would sublimate. The Epicureans, who rejected that notion (and reversed it), were seen as hedonists or as gross sensualists.

Christianity, borrowing so much from both Plato and the Stoics pushed forward the idea that virtue was somehow related to propertylessness; the poor were in a more favored position because they were not burdened with possessions.

Buddhism (and to a degree, Hindisum), which preceded Christianity, proposed that it is desire itself which constitutes man’s major problem. It is not enough to abandon property; mental and emotional discipline must be imposed to the point where the individual loses all desire.

Me, I think all that is bonkers. Of course I can enjoy and appreciate the things I buy. Appreciation doesn't take time, it takes taste. It takes a love for something, whether developed in a short amount of time, or long. Chips, to a lot of us, gives the same magical effect as fine wine to a wine connoisseur or vinographer, or toys to a child. I do think my appreciation for different chips are changing over time, as I have so amply documented. The pace of acquisition is irrelevant here, since chips are not ephemeral. They're here, and my appreciation for them will either grow or diminish with time. Whether I buy the chips now or later, its irrelevant, as long as the ones I admire and love stay with me, through my changing periods of taste. Does that make sense?

I am 42, an have been into poker chips since I was 21-22ish. I bought many sets and sold many too.
To somebody that has been in this game a long time it looks like the kid that has their parents fighting for their love by buying them the cool gift that year for Christmas.

This comment is confusing. Am I the parent here? Or the kid? Or am I both? So, in this analogy, I'm trying to fight for my love for myself by buying myself things? In that case, I must get angry at myself enough and throw enough of a tantrum so that I'll buy myself, I dunno, a jet. :)
 
Last edited:
but I am pretty sure that something custom that ONLY I own is firmly somewhere in my future.
This is the biggest understatement I have read in this thread. I would say it is as certain as death itself. :LOL: :laugh::LOL: :laugh::LOL: :laugh:. Given everything you have shared about yourself I am pretty sure the custom set(s) you design will be HOF material. The only question that will remain IMO is if you will be able to share your creations here on PCF.
 
The $25 would have been SUCH a better chip if the denom on the inlay were in white, not black, by the way. The green is too dark for a dark font.

.. but the same black-on-color denomination scheme is used on the People's Choice $5 right next to it. There's value in consistency across the denominations in a single casino's line of chips, both for practical purposes and aesthetics (not that anyone cares about aesthetics but us).
 
Appreciation doesn't take time, it takes taste.

Sure... but taste can take time, too.

Even strong instincts take a long time to really unfold into truly sophisticated taste. Or great lowbrow taste. (There are so many ways to have taste, which is why you can’t really argue about it.)

So let’s say, hypothetically, that I have great taste in literature. English major... Shakespeare speciality... Huge library... Maybe I even used to review big, serious new novels, for publications people have heard of.

Let’s just say, for the sake of argument. Maybe I only *think* I’m well-read.

That taste in books wouldn’t mean I am automatically going to have great judgement about movies... music... clothes... architecture... furniture... poker chips...

If I’m canny and self-aware, maybe I figure out how to apply the processes and sensibilities I developed over decades for books to other stuff. And maybe I can get a jumpstart on also having great taste in those other things.

By observing how people who seem smart talk about architecture I might be able to simulate their taste, on the way to developing my own... say, in mid-20th Century architecture... I hear them talking about Breuer and Saarinen and run out to devour monographs about them... I start to think about the Bauhaus and Black Mountain College and Harvard architects, and maybe I even start to sound knowledgeable.

But I’m still a sciolist ($10 word I learned sophomore year). I love Brutalist buildings... Even spent years studying inside one. But if tried to talk about Brutalism with someone who really knew their stuff? I’d embarrass myself.

However expert I feel, I certainly won’t bring the depth of study and experience and discernment to the table of someone who specialized in that other category, for many years or decades, if ever.

Ditto, let’s say, with something like wine. With enough money and time I’m sure it would not be hard to go from 0-85 mph as far as at least *appearing* to have great taste in wine. But that next 10 mph to reach 95 is going to go slowly. And the last 5 mph to hit 100? Probably never get there. Just because I’m drinking and loving the very best wine available doesn’t mean I really am a connoisseur if it.

I’m seriously not trying to bash anyone here with these comments... I’m mostly telling a story on myself. Any time I’ve ever thought I’d really mastered something new and exciting, a couple years later I realized how I’d barely scratched the surface at the time. Facepalm on my younger self.

The game of poker itself is another obvious example. Maybe five years ago, I started winning pretty consistently. I was quite pleased with myself, and felt I was ready for any comers and stakes. Of course that was ridiculous.

When I think of stuff I believed about poker theory five years ago, all I can do is cringe. I knew all the hot terms and the way experts were talking about the game; but I was a million miles from really understanding it, let alone implementing that knowledge in a way that would let me beat anything higher than 1/3 for more than a month.

With chips, I likewise can’t count the mistakes and missteps and confused opinions I’ve developed, discarded, redeveloped, changed, revised, etc. in about 3 years. It’s humbling, especially in a community with the likes of (say) Rhodeman or others whose experience and taste has been cultivated from before poker was even on my radar, let alone chipping.

The one thing I know for sure: anytime I’ve disregarded advice from people more experienced and knowledgeable, it only set me back. Maybe in the end I still wind up disagreeing with them, but grappling with their arguments was necessary to get past my more half-baked ideas.
 
Last edited:
Sure... but taste can take time, too. Even strong instincts take a long time to really unfold into truly sophisticated taste. Or great lowbrow taste. (There are so many ways to have taste, which is why you can’t really argue about it.)

So let’s say, hypothetically, that I have great taste in literature. English major... Shakespeare speciality... Huge library... Maybe I even used to review big,?serious new novels, for publications people have heard of. Let’s just say, for the sake of argument.

That taste in books wouldn’t mean I am automatically going to have great judgement about movies... music... clothes... architecture... furniture... poker chips...

If I’m canny and self-aware, maybe I figure out how to apply the processes and sensibilities I developed over decades for books to other stuff. And maybe I can get a jumpstart on also having great taste in those other things.

By observing how people who seem smart talk about architecture I might be able to simulate their taste, on the way to developing my own... say, in mid-20th Century architecture... I hear them talking about Breuer and Saarinen and run out to devour monographs about them... I start to think about the Bauhaus and Black Mountain College and Harvard architects, and maybe I even start to sound knowledgeable.

But I’m still a sciolist ($10 word I learned sophomore year).

However expert I feel, I certainly won’t bring the depth of study and experience and discernment to the table of someone who specialized in that other category, for many years or decades, if ever.

Ditto, let’s say, with something like wine. With enough money and time I’m sure it would not be hard to go from 0-85 mpg as far as at least appearing to have great taste in wine. But that next 10 mph to reach 100 is going to go slowly. And the last 5 mph? Probably never get there. Just because I’m drinking and loving the very best wine available doesn’t mean I really am a connoisseur if it.

I’m seriously not trying to bash anyone here with these comments... I’m mostly telling a story on myself. Any time I’ve ever thought I’d really mastered something new and exciting, a couple years later I realized how I’d barely scratched the surface at the time. Facepalm on my younger self.

The game of poker itself is another obvious example. Maybe five years ago, I started winning pretty consistently. I was quite pleased with myself, and felt I was ready for any comers and stakes. Of course that was ridiculous.

When I think of stuff I believed about poker theory five years ago, all I can do is cringe. I knew all the hot terms and the way experts were talking about the game; but I was a million miles from really understanding it, let alone implementing that knowledge in a way that would let me beat anything higher than 1/3 for more than a month.

With chips, I likewise can’t count the mistakes and missteps and confused opinions I’ve developed, discarded, redeveloped, changed, revised, etc. in about 3 years. It’s humbling, especially in a community with the likes of (say) Rhodeman or others whose experience and taste has been cultivated from before poker was eve on my radar, let alone chipping.

All completely valid, but my point was missed: however long it might take or not take a person to acquire taste, there should be zero issue with them acquiring whatever it is that they would like to, to develop that taste. New wine enthusiasts who have the means may end up buying what are considered great wines with the idea that they have them to experience when their palate is developed.

In fact, early acquisitions of things that might go up in value is smart, and useful. As long the means exist.

And of course, the most important issue: taste is supremely personal. There are interior designers who are supposed to be the best in the world (Michael Smith, for example) whose style and taste I HATE. Buying what someone likes at whatever speed they want is utterly their prerogative. Yes?
 
....But I’m still a sciolist ($10 word I learned sophomore year)....

A very popular word in Mensa circles. :cool

....Any time I’ve ever thought I’d really mastered something new and exciting, a couple years later I realized how I’d barely scratched the surface at the time.

But that's something to be thankful for, no? Imagine how unsatisfying it would have been to have lived many centuries ago and been able to accumulate all human knowledge in not just one but many fields. :(
 
Great start to the mixed set, some very cool chips there!

I fully appreciate everyone has their own taste, but it made me sad that you think the hundred is ugly. Not that we should all have the same taste, by any means, but I absolutely love that Hotel Nevada hundred.

edit: though us having different taste in chips means I’ll be able to find the chips that I need, so not actually a bad thing!;)
 
Last edited:
All completely valid, but my point was missed: however long it might take or not take a person to acquire taste, there should be zero issue with them acquiring whatever it is that they would like to, to develop that taste. New wine enthusiasts who have the means may end up buying what are considered great wines with the idea that they have them to experience when their palate is developed.

In fact, early acquisitions of things that might go up in value is smart, and useful. As long the means exist.

And of course, the most important issue: taste is supremely personal. There are interior designers who are supposed to be the best in the world (Michael Smith, for example) whose style and taste I HATE. Buying what someone likes at whatever speed they want is utterly their prerogative. Yes?
You're only getting negative attention because of the awesome sets you're able to put together. I think it's kind of funny as a community how focused we are on the money. I easily bought and sold over 30,000 chips my first year, constantly moving chips in and out (I had never had a single poker chip and was having fun). No one batted an eye, because they were cheaper chips.

Folks like Changster got a little flak because they spent a bit, you seem to get more because you spent a bit more. Stinks too, as it's seemed too sharpen the edges.
Back to my chipping journey through Pr0n. This is my first attempt to put a mixed leaded THC set together, and I’m not super happy with the results. The $5 definitely needs to be a 3d14 or similar, but I love the current chip. The hundo has possibly the right edgespot pattern, but is one fucking ugly chip.

The $25 would have been SUCH a better chip if the denom on the inlay were in white, not black, by the way. The green is too dark for a dark font.

Still need a $1000 candidate as well. Recommendations welcome. Need a new $5, $100 and a $1000.

View attachment 531793View attachment 531794View attachment 531795View attachment 531796View attachment 531797View attachment 531798View attachment 531799View attachment 531800View attachment 531801View attachment 531802View attachment 531803
The hundos are definitely my favorite there. The colored inlays are a trip though, surprised you didn't keep them all the way through. I'm guessing some folks find it really cool/quirky, and it'll tilt others.

Can I ask which specific chip you're building the set around and why? Those $1s are killer. I'd love to see what $5/$25s @JeepologyOffroad would put with em.
 
Last edited:
You're only getting attention because

The great sets, with pr0n, unsurprisingly bring attention. But I think he is also thoughtfully engaging with and sharing the enthusiasm of the community. He could have as easily purchased the chips and disappeared.

I think it's kind of funny as a community how focused we are on the money.

Is it surprising that a community focused on a type of collection is the most enthusiastic towards the most rare and sought after sets?
If I purchase and take photos of Tiki Kings or Royals would you expect the same interest?
 
The great sets, with pr0n, unsurprisingly bring attention. But I think he is also thoughtfully engaging with and sharing the enthusiasm of the community. He could have as easily purchased the chips and disappeared.
I meant negative attention sorry. I would think his desire to share the journey and thoughts would not garner negative attention. My comments were meant to be supportive not negative.
Is it surprising that a community focused on a type of collection is the most enthusiastic towards the most rare and sought after sets?
If I purchase and take photos of Tiki Kings or Royals would you expect the same interest?
Again, I’m talking about the negative focus. I think it’s funny people are worried as to the speed of getting sets and their concern for his journey.

No I couldn’t care less about those chips. But I don’t see anyone worried about me churning through every Chip room sale chip over the past ten years in 6 months.

Just seems bizarre to be so worried about the mans experience chipping, it’s not like he’s never collected something before. We need a shrug emoji.
 
edit: though us having different taste in chips means I’ll be able to find the chips that I need, so not actually a bad thing!;)

For some reason this made me just picture myself and PCF like:

PersonalSpitefulBluegill-small.gif


Me on the left with those $25s :LOL: :laugh:

In all seriousness, looking forward to seeing the completed set with such a crazy start.
 
This is the biggest understatement I have read in this thread. I would say it is as certain as death itself. :LOL: :laugh::LOL: :laugh::LOL: :laugh:. Given everything you have shared about yourself I am pretty sure the custom set(s) you design will be HOF material. The only question that will remain IMO is if you will be able to share your creations here on PCF.
I think there are a few other questions:

1. THC or RHC? I'm going to assume CPC is only a backup...there is a satisfaction tied to Paulson not allowing others to replicate a chip, and this seems to fit the Caped Crusader's MO... :whistle: :whistling:
2. Will larger chips be used for the higher denoms?
3. Will the set be entirely owed, or will samples be passed out/sold/traded?

I'm sure there are others, but these are the first that come to mind. Either way, I will call it the OWB (Only Windwalker Buy) :D
 
I think there are a few other questions:

1. THC or RHC? I'm going to assume CPC is only a backup...there is a satisfaction tied to Paulson not allowing others to replicate a chip, and this seems to fit the Caped Crusader's MO... :whistle: :whistling:
2. Will larger chips be used for the higher denoms?
3. Will the set be entirely owed, or will samples be passed out/sold/traded?

I'm sure there are others, but these are the first that come to mind. Either way, I will call it the OWB (Only Windwalker Buy) :D

Unfortunately, my connects don't run that deep, and I wouldn't even know where to begin. Just a lovely, custom CPC set, hopefully on the Scrown mold.
 
I'm sure there are others, but these are the first that come to mind. Either way, I will call it the OWB (Only Windwalker Buy)

A simpler approach might be to discover that you're the only living descendant of an obscure native American tribe, and build a casino on your tribal land.

There's even a rather nice existing design that could be easily adapted -- the "Golden Broken Windwalker Casino" has a nice ring to it.
:cool
 
Maybe Mister Wayne can convince the Nevada Historical Society to allow MD-51 to come out of retirement for a one-time production run...

I'm not a big fan of MD-50, but MD-51 has some character that its simpler cousin lacks, a bit of charm and elegance created by the two-one two-one cadence, a lilting waltz versus the 4/4 drumbeat of DIASQR. Add in the history and provenance, and this would be one heck of an exclusive chipset.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom