Poker chips

[bigmike667]

What poker chips do use when you host a party? (and obviously not an online game either). Do you use clay, ceramic, or the cheaper plastic chips?
What is the difference between clay and ceramic? which is better?
I bought a set of poker chips $50 for 500 chip set, the chips were plastic with a metal insert to weigh them down a bit. but the chips still lasted. The clay and ceramic sets I know cost quite a bit $300+ last time I checked.

The other chips I found interesting were the poker plaques, that they used in European competitions, the big rectangular plaques/chips for higher denominations.

[The Godfather]

I bought a set of 1000 of the plastic chips with the metal insert for around $100 or so. They feel like real casino chips, but for a fraction of the cost. I like the plastic ones for hosting poker parties....that way you don't worry about people spilling drinks all over them or breaking the odd chip....bad beat maybe!?

[bigmike667]

I know what you mean by the bad chip. I had originally bought a set from a sports store, and I didn't even play 2 games with the set, and chips started to crack or split at the middle. So you could see the metal insert, after I returned these, I got my other set at Costco. They haven't been a problem yet.

[Steve-O]

If you can afford them get Paulson's, they are incredible. The insert ones definetly don't feel like casino chips, but for a home game they are perfectly acceptable.

Paulsons run just over $1 per chip, so a nice set of 500 chips will cost you about $500-$600.

[bigmike667]

I have heard of the Paulsons as well. I know they are expensive, I was thinking of purchasing one of those sample kits, they come with some clay chips and ceramic chips, not sure if they include some of the Paulsons chip as well.

[Steve-O]

Paulson is used by every major casino, so if you want to feel em just go to a casino! otherwise you can just buy a $1 chip on E-Bay to see the difference.

[bigmike667]

That is true too, but atleast if the sample comes with the clay, ceramic, and paulson, it would be interesting for comparison purposes. Also one sample includes Neophyte and protege chips, Not sure what those are.

[Steve-O]

Paulsons are clay, ceramic chips are nice (not as good as clay) but they will break. I have a friend who bought a huge set of ceramic chips, after 1 broke from somoen splashing the pot, he spends more time yelling at everyone to not throw, drop, chips than playing poker!

[tsrumler]

From what I have seen, clay chips wear down extremely over time, after 1-6 months of use, they have significantly reduced in size. Ceramic chips are not bad, most ceramic chips you find have a metal ring in the middle, to add weight and durability.

[bigmike667]

Paulsons are clay, ceramic chips are nice (not as good as clay) but they will break. I have a friend who bought a huge set of ceramic chips, after 1 broke from somoen splashing the pot, he spends more time yelling at everyone to not throw, drop, chips than playing poker!

LOL, so I guess both chips have advantages and disadvantages. But if both wear down or have the chance of breaking and those chip sets cost quite a bit. Most likely the set I have will do for now. Its a plastic set with a metal insert, and cheap, hasn't caused any problems yet. But those sets are both expensive, if clay wears down, and ceramic has the chance of breakin, in my opinion its not really worth it( of course, unless you have the coin)

[Steve-O]

I've never heard of Paulsons wearing down. Casinos use them and their chips will get a million times more play than any homegamer's.

[Nima]

i have a set of 1000 paulsons at home :)
but i havent played with them at my house for well over months now.

[tsrumler]

It just depends on the type of quality clay chips you get. Obviously the less money you spend on clay poker chips, the quicker they will wear down. Paulsons are very expensive and are the highest quality clay chips you can find, so they won't wear down like other clay chips.

[bigmike667]

1000 Paulson poker chip set, wow, how much did that ran you?

[Steve-O]

over $1,000. :D

[tsrumler]

Yeah, I heard they are a little over a $1 a chip... I think I'll stick with my cheap ones.

[bigmike667]

Over $1000 for that set, I am also sticking with my plastic metal inserted chips. 1000 set for those would be 100 bucks. The Paulson set is defintely over my budget.