What Poker Chips do you use to replace paper money in games?

I recently watched another podcast (BGWS www.boardgameswithscott.com/ ) where Scott looked at using various brands of poker chips.

I'm hoping for my birthday to get a nice set of poker chips to use instead of paper money in my many games. I don't think I need the biggest baddest best set of poker chips, but a nice set that is easy to stack, and handles well. 

What is your favorite brand/model of poker chips and why do you like that brand over another set?

What sold you on that brand or type of chip?

And where did you get the best value when you purchased it?

 

(I'm guessing this is a Truckloads of goober question?)

Comments

For variety, quality and value, I'd recommend the Gambler's General Store in Las Vegas. I don't know how competitive their shipping rates are, but they have a very nice selection of designs and their price per chip is in line with the going rate. If you ever have the chance to visit their store in Las Vegas, do it! It is a card and dice addicts dream!

The most important thing to me in a poker chip is the heft and how they feel in your hand. If the chip is too light or feels too plastic, I don't like it. Of course, your mileage may vary according to your own tastes, but the 6 stripe chips at .41 a piece feel just right to me.

If you're wanting these chips to be used for multiple games (including poker), consider carefully how many colors and how many of each color you need. Standard gambling colors are white, red, green, and black (we play penny, nickel, quarter, dollar whereas in Vegas they would be $1, $5, $25, $100). Personally I would opt for chips without denomination printed on the chips so you can use them for whatever you need and avoid possible confusion.

There are a *ton* of chip sellers and makers out there, including places where you can have custom chips made for reasonable prices (GGS custom chips are .79 per).

I'm sure Dave will have more to say if he checks in.

I use the Poker to Go chip set. I first heard of these shortly before BGG.Con last year, and got to play a couple of games with a set at the convention. I was sold. It took me a while to get into gear and get a set, but I 'm very happy that I did.

 

They're not the super-heavy, high quality chips that Steve is talking about, but they work well and they're ultra-portable. My biggest complaint is that they only come in four colors (and several games that I am a big fan of use more).

 

The original source for these (and the best price I've seen) was on eBay (just do a search), but Meeple People has since picked them up. Meeple People has also added some new colors, which unfortunately also have denominations on them, and empty cases. I am considering adding them to my set, but have not yet broken down. If Meeple People ever gets non-denominated chips in the new colors, I'll order them the same day I find out about it.

 

Here's a photo on BGG that shows one of the Meeple People sets: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/453772

 

David

Mr. Conway has fine taste in vendors... my personal favorite for many years has been "The Gambler's General Store" in Las Vegas, NV.

Over the years, I've owned many different kinds of chips, but all fall short of ultimate gaming pleasure... until...

Paulson Clay Chips. They're clay chips that look, feel, and stack EXACTLY like casino cash-value chips with the same heft. They are certainly expensive, there's no doubt about that. Expect to pay between $1 and $1.25 for EACH chip (yes, it's somewhat insane). Try to bargain though... however to do this, you have to see what you're buying. Trying to do it online is risky to some extent.

Personally, I simply wish I had just done this right the first time, as opposed to spending cash on stuff that ultimately disappointed me. I figure I've bought these chips twice, given the number of different varieties I've owned in the past.

This is merely my opinion on the matter... these get used frequently, and they're a welcome addition to my gaming collection -- from poker to Age of Steam, to St. Peterburg.

I hope this helps.

There are a lot of online sites that sell poker materials and related stuff.  You can visit ebay, amazon or you can google some other virtual stores.  Just make sure that they are secure and you'll be good to go.