Custom chip (there's a moral to the story) |
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Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:44 pm GMT by Pokerfarian
Gentlemen,
Just thought I would send you all a little end note to tell you how the Pokerfarians decided on which cutom logo chips to buy since you all gave me such great advice.
I arrived at poker last night and started handing out all of the sample chips that I have been stockpiling for the last few weeks.
I am closing a deal that will net me enough cash to literally buy whatever I want and not think twice about it. They were told to not ask any questions about cost, just pick what you like the most.
The choices were:
Chipco's-custom Desert Sands from NJ, The Chip Store, and homepokerchips.com.
Clay-pokerchips.com custom designed and the kings crown custom
A variety of the plastic/inlay chips(Mr Poker Chip for example)
Nexgens with labels
Within seconds, they turned down the plastic/inlay chips, as I knew they would. Some were OK, but they got a resounding "meh".
The ceramic chipco's were dispatched next. The majority of the group did not like the feel of the chips, and although everyone liked the size of the workable area, no one was happy about the matte or textured finish, feeling that it made the graphics less sharp.
The pokerchips.com clays were judged too light, but otherwise, a great chip.
The Kings Crown was judged well by all.
To a man, they loved the Nexgens with the labels made by Brent! Now I will admit that I used an advanced technique for putting the labels down--after aligning the logo on each chip, I took 2 inch wide clear packing tape and completely covered the face of the chip. I then took a exacto knife and careful outlined the label, using the inside edge of the label area as a guide.
The finish look is unbelievable--a clear and extremely durable, glossy surface over the label.
We tossed the Kings Crowns and the Nexgens around while we played, requiring players to bet them whenever possible.
Both were well loved, and both had areas that we felt were weak (Can't really wash the KC and the Nexgens don't feel as sweet)
In the end, they selected the Nexgens, citing an advantage I had yet to consider--we can change the logo when we want, and not think twice about it.
The moral is to get samples. On paper, I loved the chipco's, as did the logo designer. They did not have the right feel for us (they are a wonderful chip, however). I could not have felt that the pokerchip.com clays were too light until I had them.
Get Samples.
For us, it's Nexgens.
Now if Paulson just made a custom with a inlay the size of the Vinyards.
I will send a photo of the final product when done
Bob
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Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:03 pm GMT by Nipsy
Great analysis. Question – were your buddies as well versed in the subtleties of poker chips as some of the other posters in this forum? Most of us have a definite pecking order drilled into our heads. While there is a consensus that labeled Nexgens are a nice compromise, I doubt few would anticipate a random sample of individuals would prefer the Nexgens to actual casino chips (the Chipcos) or some of the other high end products.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:23 pm GMT by PocketRocket
Interesting story. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:03 pm GMT by circlencircle
| Nipsy wrote: | Great analysis. Question – were your buddies as well versed in the subtleties of poker chips as some of the other posters in this forum? Most of us have a definite pecking order drilled into our heads. While there is a consensus that labeled Nexgens are a nice compromise, I doubt few would anticipate a random sample of individuals would prefer the Nexgens to actual casino chips (the Chipcos) or some of the other high end products.
Thanks for sharing. |
Yeah I have to question this as well. I certainly am by no means the foremost expert around here but I can’t imagine choosing Nexgens over, Chipco, ASM or any clay chip for that matter, particularly if price were no object. I just don’t see what everyone around here sees in Nexgens. They just look like plastic chips to me. Like I've mentioned before I just bought some of the Faux Dice chips and I am supremely confident that they are a better chip than the Nexgens if feel and sound are a significant factor. The only thing Nexgens offer is bright colors, edge spots and a heavier weight; I also have a pet peeve about this whole concept that weight translates to casino quality. Most people around this forum would probably agree, very few casino chips exceed 10.5g, if at all - excluding coin inlayed.
However, in closing I say, whatever floats your boat and this is by no means meant as personal criticism.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:07 pm GMT by PocketRocket
The Bud Jones chips that are currently being made are 12.2 gr but they have a brass slug in the middle covered with a label.
| circlencircle wrote: |
snip
Most people around this forum would probably agree, very few casino chips exceed 10.5g, if at all - excluding coin inlayed.
However, in closing I say, whatever floats your boat and this is by no means meant as personal criticism. |
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:29 pm GMT by Pokerfarian
No, the majority of the players are not well versed in the sublties of chips, and I think that did play an interesting part in the process: At times, they did not know what was being handed to them!
The chipco's do not feel like a poker chip to anyone who does not know what they are or hasn't played in a place like Tunica. Honestly speaking, they just don't. If you handed then to 10 people and asked them to tell you what they were without looking, just by feel, I would bet 10 would get it wrong.
The Kings Crown thing was the only suprise to me. I would have thought that the closest chip to the Turning Stone chips would have been the dead bang choice, but there is also an odd little group factor that came into play: Look at the avatar. Toby the Monkey looks stoned for a reason. This is a group of non-conformists; anarcist, ex hippies, and may the Jebus help us, a postman. I think that the KC was too "right" for them on some levels, but not by much.
The feel(texture) and heft(weight) of the chips became the most important factors, and while no sane man would tell you that Nexgens and KC feel alike, there is an undeniable similarity that came into play. Add the ability to change the logo on every chip for $60, and there you go.
By the way, I still have not ordered the Nexgens. I just can't quite believe that was the choice.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:09 pm GMT by trogdoraoeu
| Quote: | Toby the Monkey looks stoned for a reason. This is a group of non-conformists; anarcist, ex hippies...
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9 out of 10 anarchist hippies prefer nexgens when stoned. I love stories that end with a solid moral. Very heart-warming.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:25 pm GMT by JHile31
like most people who will read this on this forum, im amazed by the choice, but its not like they picked 11.5 gram dice chips...ha....anyways....i was just wondering, was the 13g "pro clay" chip in the mix? i personally would have probably went with NJ clays, or KCs, but since they picked the nexgens, it would seems that the 13g pc's would have been a good choice. they only have 5 colors, which really sucks, but i think the feel is a lot better than the nexgens. they are nowhere near as slick. they only part of the 13g that is slick is the blank inlay, which would be covered anyways. i mean whatever you choose is your preference, but if it wasnt one of the choices, you might want to let them look at them before you order the nexgens. like i said, the one negative compared to the nexgen is the color, otherwise, id go with the 13g.....
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:31 pm GMT by trogdoraoeu
| Quote: | like most people who will read this on this forum, im amazed by the choice
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These were stoned anarchist hippies. Are you really amazed? He's leaving out the part where they tried to vote the flying rainbow snakes the best chip but he wouldn't let them, so they compromized with the nexgens.
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:37 pm GMT by pie taster
| Pokerfarian wrote: | Gentlemen,
after aligning the logo on each chip, I took 2 inch wide clear packing tape and completely covered the face of the chip. I then took a exacto knife and careful outlined the label, using the inside edge of the label area as a guide.
The finish look is unbelievable--a clear and extremely durable, glossy surface over the label.
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I'm not following this ... so did the label cover the entire surface of the chip, or just the inlay?
Why packing tape? Were they not stickers?
Any pictures of the nexgens with the packing tape label?
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:42 pm GMT by Pokerfarian
trogdoraoeu,
Small bit of advice: try decafe.
It's a poker chip.
My group went a way you would not. We had our reasons. I suspect that we would agree on little, and that we are both OK with that. So far, only one of us has shown a level of respect to the other.
Me, I appreciate your non-insulting observations and I thank you for taking the time to make them.
Pity that the same appreciation of others opinions is not so universal.
Good luck and thanks
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:56 pm GMT by macanator
Great story. I laughed my ass off.
As with many I'm sure we can agree that this wasn't an issue as to which is the superior chip. If it were certainly the cream would rise to the top. It was just an uniformed group making a decission as to "preference". That being said, I believe the reason was even stated. The guys liked the idea of being able to change the labels. That in itself might have been the deciding factor.
Either way, stoned monkeys or not, the Nexgens were the preference. You've got the money buy them both as stated in the story. The Nexgens won't set you back much and you can change the labels as needed. In addition pick up a good set to have for those special nights.
Interesting and entertaining read.
Thanks
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:59 pm GMT by circlencircle
| Pokerfarian wrote: | trogdoraoeu,
Small bit of advice: try decafe.
It's a poker chip.
My group went a way you would not. We had our reasons. I suspect that we would agree on little, and that we are both OK with that. So far, only one of us has shown a level of respect to the other.
Me, I appreciate your non-insulting observations and I thank you for taking the time to make them.
Pity that the same appreciation of others opinions is not so universal.
Good luck and thanks |
Whats wrong with being stoned anyway? Oh wait... did I type that out loud? I was just kidding...
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 10:15 pm GMT by trogdoraoeu
| Pokerfarian wrote: |
Me, I appreciate your non-insulting observations and I thank you for taking the time to make them.
Pity that the same appreciation of others opinions is not so universal.
|
No offense man. You must admit you kind of opened yourself up there:)
Posted Thu Feb 17, 2005 10:23 pm GMT by Nipsy
You see, I like the Nexgens and own a set of 500. I also own about 100 mixed and matched Paulsons, and a set of 500 8g Six Spoke Wheels. So while I know the Nexgens are too heavy and their textured finish misses the mark, I still enjoy them because they make for a handsome chip.
Maybe it takes a bunch of stoned slackers to declare the emperor has no clothes.
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:02 am GMT by trogdoraoeu
| Nipsy wrote: | | Maybe it takes a bunch of stoned slackers to declare the emperor has no clothes. |
LOL, Now that is a moral:)
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:00 am GMT by ashVID
I have a similar story... After having owned some Paulson fantasy chips that I bought at $0.40 per chip on eBay before the poker craze, I sold them at a huge profit (almost 4 times what I paid) and wanted to get some new chips. I really like Chipcos but ordered samples of EVERYTHING and I was shocked that after my 20 buddies messed around with them the resounding choice was a set of chips a guy got from his wife from Target! They are actually very similar to the faux clay chips that earn praise here.
I still got a set of Crystal Oysters and now have a set of Chipcos and a set of Nexgens (they like the Nexgens just as much).
Bottom line, chips do not effect your play. It does not make it more or less fun to play. It is all a matter of preference and average joe cant tell a bargain chip from a premium chip.
ash =o)
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:32 am GMT by pie taster
I would love to see a picture of Pokerfarian's chips, along with some more details about how the label was made. I didn't follow the whole packaging tape thing...
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:51 am GMT by TGuns
Yeah, pokerfarian if you could please post some pics of the finished outcome of your self-labeled Nexgens I'd like to see them.
In the end, you did a ton of research, you consulted with a lot of different people, and you are making a very informed decision. It doesn't really matter what other people think as long as you're happy with the chips you're getting. Your level of research in finding YOUR perfect chip is something all of us should do (especially impulse buyers like me).
On another note, if price was no object for ME, I would probably go to the Bellagio and buy 1000 $1-100 new chips from them to use in home games. Our $20 buy-in games would be interesting with $500 of real chips in front of each player... "hey guys thanks for coming-- wait, I'm missing like 50 chips here..."
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:55 am GMT by Nut Flush
| Quote: | | I would love to see a picture of Pokerfarian's chips, along with some more details about how the label was made. I didn't follow the whole packaging tape thing... |
1) He carefully applied the label
2) He put a piece of tape over the whole face of the chip
3) He used an exacto knife to carefully trace/cut around the inlay
4) He removed the piece of tape from the outer edge of the chip leaving the label with a clear glossy finish from the packing tape
When you get your chips in, just make sure you apply all the labels before you smoke up or they'll never get finished :D
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:38 am GMT by douper
He only had what 10 Nexgens he did like that? I wonder how long that took?
I imagine doing 500-1000 would take a REALLY long time. I'm not even looking forward to spending the time applying just labels to my 650 when they get here.
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:25 pm GMT by Pokerfarian
That last description of how I put the clear tape over the inlay was spot on.
First thing I did was scuff the area where the label would sit with 220 grit sand paper to really get a good bite. I then put the label down. After I layed the tape over the whole chip, I touched the tape to the center of the labels and then cut around the edges of the label. This left no air bubbles underneath (that's a lot of work for a "slacker"). I should say that I do have steady hands, but the chip itself gives a good template if you use a light touch. The clear tape probably added 30 seconds worth of work per side, but the thing is weather/food/slacker proof.
The labels that I put on were really drafts--since we had not made choice, I saw no point in grinding Brent for very detailed label.
I will happily show the final version of the chip when done--It will be 2 sided: Toby the Monkey on 1 side; and the words, "Pokerfarians Monkey see--Monkey bet" on the other.
We did try the clay 13g, but there is a colored boarder on the outside of the center that does not get covered completely by the label-very odd looking. I used a magic marker to hide this boarder, but they just didn't like the near-miss look.
Just to put a fine point on it all--I drive a Canary Yellow 1965 Mustang convertable. It was a hard top when I bought it for $350. It was a garden variety car, with the wrong engine and tranny(these were much better). I bought a kit from Drivers Seat Investment that included all the steel plate and convtertable parts for the conversion. I love my car, but I always run into the guy who says, "I cut up a classic". I always have a simple answer: "It's my car; this is what I wanted. Why would I care about anything else?"
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:35 pm GMT by warewulf619
If you're on a budget, I can see sticking with the Nexgens. I also understand being able to change the labels on the fly.
If you want a quality chip that will last forever, you would have to go with a clay with a permanent inlay. I imagine the tape on the nexgens will start to peel at some point and will look bad and feel worse. Someone else used a spray on clear coat, will probably last longer. But you're still dealing with plastic composite chips and they just wont hold up like a clay chip will. The paint will wear off whereas a clay is the same color all the way through (clay inserts).
In the end, you're really comparing apples to oranges.
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:45 pm GMT by Pokerfarian
Ah ha, a new factor!
I was aware that the clay chips are colored throughout (we did surgery on all clay/ceramic chips), but I never even thought about the Nexgen.
"Nurse, Number 10 blade please...."
OK, I cut into a red chip with purple edgespots and found the following:
The metal slug is surrounded by the purple, and the main color red wraps around the purple. I would guess that the red is about 1/8th of an inch thick, meaning that I will be dead long before the "color" gets worn away.
Cutting into the diamond side spots confirmed this "dead before worn out" theory.
The color of Nexgen is not a surface treatment, but continues "deep" into the chip.
I did lose the patient, however.
But even cutting this was emotionally revealing--I did not want to operate on the clay or ceramic chips, but I cut into this thing without a second's hesitation. Call it a reverence for the clay/ceramic chips, which is really the conflict line on this thread is all about: If you can afford the ultimate chip, you would get clay/ceramic, in theory. In theory, communism works. In theory. My group of misfits looked at the options and went another way. Not bad, not good, just interesting (and I still find it odd).
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:56 pm GMT by stevo
Ya know... when you don't know, you don't know. Most folks just don't know (can't remember) what a real poker chip feels like. I have a set of Nexgens that I labeled and everyone thinks they are unreal. I have been touting them as the next best thing since sliced bread ever since I got them. If you want something for yourself - get whatever you want - if you want to play with your friends and have them go "wow - cool chips", get the Nexgens. They will do that, and you will be happy.
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:01 pm GMT by circlencircle
| Pokerfarian wrote: | Ah ha, a new factor!
The metal slug is surrounded by the purple, and the main color red wraps around the purple. I would guess that the red is about 1/8th of an inch thick, meaning that I will be dead long before the "color" gets worn away.
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wow 1/8.... so the chip would be what, ummm about a half inch thick.... ? I think you're a little off on that guess. 
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:03 pm GMT by twintowers
The old saying, "Ignorance is bliss" really comes into play regarding poker chips. My group of players are a bunch of home or internet players and have little expierence with "Casino" quality chips. They preferred the 9g Vegas chips over come chipco samples and 2 plain Paulson 50 cent chips.
Ignorance. Its not a bad thing. It just means uninformed. If the group likes a certain chip, or at least doesnt mind using that chip, they will live and play blissfully.
This is an interesting thread, that I feel many of us can relate to. Afterall, most of us are the "leader" or "host" of many of our games, and we would like to have a good game with "good" stuff (cards, chips, and tables 8) ) We usually make a bigger deal of it than the rest of the gang, but as leaders, we usually care about quality, or perceived quality.
Nice post. Thanks
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:23 pm GMT by PocketRocket
I've owned and used a set Paulson chips for a little over 25 years now. Quite honestly, I could care less if I'm playing with Paulson chips, or a set of Chinese imports. The only reason I don't like the Bicycle interlocking chips is because you can't stack and count them easily. I think some of the posts here may be entertaining fantasies about cardrooms and casinos (or TV) than actually using the chips themselves. Much as I appreciate a well made chip as much as the next person, some of this has to be more in the category of 'chip snobbery' more than anything else. I'm still trying to figure out why I would need to have a Dealer button at a home game. Back in the old days we just figured that the person shuffling and dealing the cards was 'on the button'
| twintowers wrote: | The old saying, "Ignorance is bliss" really comes into play regarding poker chips. My group of players are a bunch of home or internet players and have little expierence with "Casino" quality chips. They preferred the 9g Vegas chips over come chipco samples and 2 plain Paulson 50 cent chips.
Ignorance. Its not a bad thing. It just means uninformed. If the group likes a certain chip, or at least doesnt mind using that chip, they will live and play blissfully.
This is an interesting thread, that I feel many of us can relate to. Afterall, most of us are the "leader" or "host" of many of our games, and we would like to have a good game with "good" stuff (cards, chips, and tables 8) ) We usually make a bigger deal of it than the rest of the gang, but as leaders, we usually care about quality, or perceived quality.
Nice post. Thanks |
Posted Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:46 pm GMT by circlencircle
| PocketRocket wrote: | I'm still trying to figure out why I would need to have a Dealer button at a home game. Back in the old days we just figured that the person shuffling and dealing the cards was 'on the button'
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I agree with the concept that most people are to much into how things look at the game rather than the game it self. After all it doesn’t really matter what you're using -- chunks for cardboard would work for all practical papooses, but I have to admit that we sometimes use a dealer button at my games for the simple fact that once in a while after someone goes out they will offer to be the dealer and if we've been drinking or its late we often lose track of who was supposed to be dealer. The button fixed that issue.
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