Chip Buying Guide

After you decide how many poker chips you will require it is now time to decide on the type - quality of the poker chips you will be purchasing. There are a number of varieties to choose from: full clay, ceramic, clay composite, composite or plastic. See a brief description of each below.

Full Clay Poker Chips:

Authentic clay poker chips are the same high quality that are used in casinos. Most are made in the USA on the same presses, using the same materials & tolerance regulations as top rated casinos around the world. Full Clay Chips are considered the most desirable poker chips. These poker chips are composed of real clay and do not have a metal insert at the core. They are usually 9 to 10 grams in weight, and have a rougher surface and texture than their casino and composite counterparts. Full clay casino poker chips have a very labor-intensive production process and are in high demand, which contributes to their higher cost. Because of their composition, clay chips have the same deep sound as a casino chip when the chips hit each other, bringing home the authenticity of a casino-style experience. Clay poker chips are the easiest to handle because they are not as slippery as composite chips and have a rougher and nicer feel to them. It is also easier to create high stacks of chips and do chip tricks, another reason why they're the chip of choice by pros and advanced poker players. If it is feel and texture you are seeking then these are the chips to buy. Clay poker chips usually last 7 or so years in the casinos, but can last much longer with proper care and handling. These chips are usually light in weight, and after a few months of use will round out, giving them a vintage appearance. See them here.

Ceramic Poker Chips:

These poker chips are the latest innovation in poker chips, and are the same kind of poker chips used in many first-class casinos around the globe. These poker chips are made from a high-density, single-composition ceramic material. The ceramic poker chip production process is less labor-intensive than the full clay casino poker chip, resulting in lower costs. Ceramic poker chips have no metal insert; Ceramic poker chips arer available in a number of different gram weights. In addition to its casino-like feel and sound, an advantage this poker chip has over its clay counterpart is its ability to receive high-quality graphics imprinted on the entire face of the chip. The detail on these chips, including a marble-like appearance, is both elegant and unique, making them a great choice for home as well as events and commercial usage.

Clay Composite / Composite Poker Chips:

People get a bit confused when they hear the term clay composite and composite poker chips. Many online retailers are selling composite (ABS plastic) chips as clay composite chips. They are actually misleading consumers who are not sure about poker chip terms. Clay Composite Poker Chips are called ‘composite' because the mold of the chip itself is made with a mixture of clay and other materials to bond the mold together, and although a bit pricier, will last much longer than an all-clay poker chip. There are no industry guidelines as to the percentage of plastic-to-clay ratio, but this ratio does affect the difference in prices from set to set. Clay composite chips are very durable and will not scratch or dent easily. These chips usually come in weights of 11.5 grams and 13.5 grams. They also have a rough surface and make the same sound as a casino chip when the chips hit one another, ensuring the authentic poker experience. Clay composite poker chips typically last 7 or so years in the casinos, but normally last much longer for private use. These are great sets for the beginner or novice poker player, as the overall chip quality and feel will ensure an enjoyable poker experience – choose from a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles to suit your taste.

Plastic Poker Chips:

Plastic chips are the entry level gaming chip that may be purchased almost everywhere. Plastic poker chip quality range from the extremely cheap chips sold at supermarkets (4 g) in the toy aisle to heavy solid plastic chips that can weight as much as 7g. Since they are made up entirely of plastic, these poker chips do not offer much in the way of security and are easily damaged. They lack the look and sound of the composite poker chips. If you are new to poker (or other games that use markers) or have a very limited budget for a large quantity, then consider purchasing some economical plastic chips. Use these for your games and when you decide that you are serious about your weekly home game and it is going to become a permanent event then you may want to invest in a set of quality clay composite, composite, ceramic, or clay poker chips.

We hope this quick guide helps a bit in making a decision of what chips you may want to purchase. Feel free to contact Poker Discount Dot Net with any other questions you may have.