Popular Types of Poker Chips

For the final 75 years, clay chips haven't actually been constructed out of pure clay. Actual clay chips were found in america through the late 1800's; however, these easily broken chips were quickly replaced by clay filled composites that provided much greater durability and security. In the first area of the 1900's chips were commonly molded from Plaskon, an urea formaldehyde molding compound. In the 1930's die cut metal foil was put on the chips to provide unique identity and added security. Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo Casino with one of these chips.

In the 40's printed centers appeared and edge spots were added for sustained security. The 1950's saw most casinos utilizing the newest chips with house designs, logos or both molded in to the rim and top of chip. Today the style and materials employed in the manufacture of gaming chips are unique to this casino. Some have metal "coin" centers with structural plastic outer rims. Cloth fiber reinforced polymer molded chips and a just introduced all metal alloy poker chip that's anodized in various brilliant colors.

Clay composite chips could be very expensive and difficult to acquire because of their popularity. These chips tend to be in weight ranges between 8 grams and 11.5 grams and so are casino standard 39 mm diameter.

Composite Metal Core Chips

These heavy (8g or 11.5g), very durable chips are plentiful and may usually be customized by way of a hot stamping or decaling process for added security. These chips are injection molded from the particulate filled thermoset (will not soften when heated) plastic around an interior metal slug for that exact "Casino" appear and feel. Virtually all metal core chips are stated in either Taiwan or China. Chips from China are, overall, of a smaller quality, probably due to having less quality control including less precision in composite mixing, and imperfect dyes found in manufacturing. Chips stated in Taiwan are often of an increased overall quality that becomes quite evident in the overall appearance and feel. There will not seem to be any price differential between your two. However, top quality chips can be found from China and "manufactured in Taiwan" isn't always a warranty of acceptable quality so it's vital that you examine an example before making a big purchase.

Casino Chips

These are, needless to say, the most effective, particularly when it involves security. Casino chips are made by an exceptionally limited amount of bonded companies all located within the united states. Each casino includes a unique secret blend composition used to mold their chips; that is among the primary defenses to avoid counterfeiting. The chips are injection molded with copyrighted designs in manufacturing facilities which have security that rivals the united states mint. Modern casino chips certainly are a synthetic polymer acrylic composite with a laminated center. The only real avenue open to acquire real casino chips would be to get them from the casino at face value or from the reseller which will usually add a hefty mark-up. Casino chips vary slightly in weight, however most weight in around 10g.

Plastic Chips

Plastic chips will be the most elementary gaming chip option and will be purchased almost anywhere. You will find extremely cheap chips sold at supermarkets in the toy aisle to heavy solid plastic chips that may weight just as much as 7g. Plastic chips usually do not offer much in the form of security and so are easily damaged. They lack the appearance and heft of composite chips and have a tendency to tinkle when splashing the pot. Plastic chips are good for those who might be not used to poker (or other games that use markers) or those who have an extremely limited budget. Much like composite chips, its vital that you request examples of the chips you are thinking about. Most reputable vendors will send a chip sample in the event that you send a self addressed stamped envelope.