How to choose the best poker chips

 The right poker chips

Which poker chips do I need? There are many types of poker chips. You will always have your chips at a poker night. It is important to not underestimate the sensation that a chips gives you when it comes to handling them through sound and haptics. The following will help you to decide the best poker chips for you.

1. The details of the properties

The material it is made from determines how good a poker chips. You can often divide the common chips into these material types:

Material: A resilient and recyclable plastic made from polypropylene (PP). (ABS composite or ABSPP)

Clay (Clay), or clay composite

Ceramics (Ceramics).

The cheapest plastic chips are the ones that are most commonly used, while ceramic chips are the most expensive.

If quality is measured only by stability, then the chips you choose will be of little value. The chip will not shatter or break if it hits the floor in any of the mentioned variants. Plastic chips still make sense, but this is not the case with the other two varieties. They are made of composite materials, which ensure that the material strength. Ceramic chips and clay chips are not typically available for purchase.

Prices vary mainly because of differences in manufacturing costs and material costs. The most expensive chips are made from a better quality material, which is more comfortable to touch and has a major impact on the feeling of the game.

1.1. Plastic poker chips

Plastic poker chips are typically made of acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene (ABS plastic or polypropylene). A metal core is often used to give them the desired weight. However, plastic chips are much lighter than clay chips. The material is also significantly less than the other types.

The typical production characteristics of plastic poker chips include sharp, palpable edges. The surface of the chips is very smooth, and they sound flat when they hit one another. It makes them less practical and making playful stacking (which experienced players enjoy doing on the side) is more difficult. Additionally, plastic chips are less durable due to wear and tear. Stickers are often used to attach colorful imprints to the center of the chip. However, plastic chips don't usually have a sticker in their middle. They are instead blank.

Plastic chips are always a good choice if you're looking to buy cheap chips. We have seen that players quickly realize that proper equipment makes the heart beat faster. This can lead to many players purchasing a set of plastic equipment at the beginning but realizing that they require an upgrade later on. It is a good idea to invest in the first equipment.

1.2. Clay poker chips

Clay poker chips are extremely popular among advanced players and are the most widely used. These chips are not made of clay but rather a clay-plastic combination (clay compound), which provides the chip with the required stability. These chips have the characteristic sound. The manufacturing process is more complicated than with plastic chips, and results in significantly more colorful chips.

For this type of chip, metal cores are often used. This is to get the desired weight which is typically around 11g-14g.

Clay chips are usually not printed but are created using stamping and casting molds. Each color is individually inserted at the edge with colored materials, making it impossible to fade. The manufacturing process may have minor imperfections. A sticker can be found in the middle of the chip for this type of chip. It is there to make it more attractive or to add a numerical number.

Clay chips offer a different feel than the plastic chips. They have a slightly rougher surface because of their clay content. This makes stacking the chips easier and more comfortable. This is something that experienced poker players will notice quickly and which will add value to any evening of poker where chips are being constantly handled. Choosing the Perfect Poker Chips