BigBlindOnline.net's Poker Chips Buying Guide
There are literally thousands of poker chip retailers online, but it is important to understand what you are buying. Our poker chips buying guide explains the two most common types of chips on the market and how many you will need for your game. If you are still uncertain whether to purchase the "cheap" plastic chips or go all out and spend 3 - 5 times as much for a high quality clay poker chip set, then this poker chips guide will help.
Differences between chips
You've seen them, and undoubtedly, you've heard them! "Clay" Chips are the chips that you've seen in casinos and on all the poker shows.
If you chose to purchase "Clay" chips you should know that they are not made of clay! The most common materials for poker chips are ABS plastic with a metal insert to give them extra weight, or from a "Clay Composite". Clay composites are produced with real clay with composite materials at a higher spec and provide a level of class and comfort that you just can't get with ABS plastic chips.
We need to add that there are also pure clay poker chips on the market, unfortunately, pure clay poker chips are usually out of the price range of most house game players, often exceeding a dollar a chip!
ABS Plastic Vs Clay Composite – Head to head
ABS Plastic Clay Composite
Useful for |
Very large games
Tournaments
Learning poker |
Home games Set for life Higher stakes denominational game |
Advantages |
Easy to find/add same designs Affordable Travel-ability (lighter than clay comp) |
Uniqueness Weight Chip longevity (scratchproof) Feel Sound |
Disadvantages |
Visible scratches in time Plastic sound Common No printed denomination |
Price Less travel-ability |
Bottom Line |
Great for large games and the price conscious |
Perfect for those who want an unique set of chips for life |
How many poker chips do I need?
The following is rough guidance on how many poker chips you will likely need for your own poker nights, followed by general advice on splits. You also need to take into account the variation of poker you will be playing and the betting tendencies of the people playing (are they aggressive bettors or do they slow play every hand):
BigBlindOnline.net Chip Matrix
Players # Chips Default Breakdown
3-4 Players |
300 Chip Set |
100 x $1 / 50 x $5 / 50 x $10 / 50 x $25 / 50 x $100 |
4-6 Players |
400 Chip Set |
100 x $1 / 100 x $5 / 100 x $10 / 50 x $25 / 50 x $100 |
6-8 Players |
500 Chip Set |
100 x $1 / 150 x $5 / 150 x $10 / 50 x $25 / 50 x $100 |
8-10 Players |
600 Chip Set |
100 x $1 / 150 x $5 / 150 x $10 / 100 x $25 / 100 x $100 |
10+ Players |
1000 Chip Set |
200 x $1 / 200 x $5 / 200 x $10 / 200 x $25 / 200 x $100 |
Generally, you want to keep 60% to 70% of your chips in the lower and middle denominations and utilize the higher denomination chips to color up and consolidate your chips as your games progress.
Bigblindonline.net stocks a quantity of pre-printed poker chips up to the black '100' chip. If you would like to customize your set, you may express your preferred chip breakdown upon checkout, or email us at customer_service@bigblindonline.net .
All of our chips are available in sets. Sets up to 600 are shipped complete with case, 2 decks of cards, 5 dice, and dealer button.
Hopefully this will clear up any confusion that you may have had. If not, please feel free to email us with your questions at info@bigblindonline.net .
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