Poker and poker-like games are getting more and more popular, bringing lots of people to gaming stores and webpages to buy accessories to make their games better. However, if you're not used to buying poker chips, it can be hard to decide what type to buy. Professionals use clay chips, but they can be pricey. It can be tempting to pick up an inexpensive plastic set of poker chips, instead. How do you know which is right for your game? First, you should find out some poker chip basics.
There are a few standard characteristics worth paying attention to when you buy poker chips. The three most important are the durability of the chip, it's feel, and its weight. In general, you're going to pay a lot more for a heavier chip. That's why clay sets often cost more than a hundred dollars, while plastic is less expensive. Clay poker chips are usually nine grams or more, while plastic weighs a bit less than for grams. Heavier chips are more desirable because they have some appealing characteristics. If a bet is placed, they won't bounce on the table. They tend to stay stacked, and can even be shuffled, if you know what you're doing.
While it's important to be able to afford your poker set, you do want to buy a good set of chips. Those that are easy to break, or that just don't feel good in your hand won't get the kind of use you'd like, and are a waster of money in the end. Many people feel that plastic has a bit of a "toyish" atmosphere to it – one reason to buy clay poker chips. However, not everyone is bothered by this – some just want to play the game.
If you're a serious poker player who's concerned about the feel and weight of your chips, or you want to add that professional atmosphere to your poker games, clay chips are probably the best choice. While the initial cost is high, you won't have to replace the chips often, have the ability to customize them, and will have a better time playing with them. If cost is a big concern, or you don't care that much about how your chips feel, plastic, wood, or another low cost material is probably a good idea. Just don't cut corners so much that you end up with a chip you won't enjoy using.
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