Info About Poker Card Reader

One thing my recent play of 1853 (BGG entry) confirmed is that the poker chips I have are totally inadequate for playing 18xx games. Although the 300-chip set is fine in total number of chips, with only the four denominations it didn’t cover enough range of values, and I had to borrow some chips to make the bank work. So, a search for new chips was begun, or rather continued, as I’d already been looking a little.

The first thing to decide was what denominations to get. My 18xx gaming friend, Chris, has a set of baccarat numbered chips, and he’s very pleased with the way they work. Unlike poker chips that are numbered 1, 5, 10, 25, 100, baccarat chips are in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 denominations. Having used a similar set I tend to agree that those denominations work well for 18xx. So, with that decided, I started looking.

And came up a blank. None of the sites I found offered chips in baccarat denominations, only regular poker. The second issue was that I only wanted 25 of some of the denominations, but all the sites I’d found sold chips in 50-count stacks, so I was looking at making up two sets, and looking for someone else to share.

The first issue was solved when I came across Slam Dunk Labels, who print labels for poker chips. What’s more, they make custom labels, with pretty much any graphic you can supply them. Most places supplied blank chips, so that looked like a solution.

The second was solved when I finally found a place that did chips in 25-count stacks, and had a blank design in the required colors, Poker Chips Wholesale. They sold them in sets, with a case, 2 decks of cards, a dealer button, and 5 dice. So, I placed my order for a 300-chip set, which was shipped the next day, but took a week to deliver as they’re on the other side of the country.

When it arrived, I was slightly disappointed at the quality of the case, but even more so that the card/dice dividers had separated from the inside due to poor construction. However, a quick call to PCW the next day had Megan getting me sorted out with a replacement case, which was in the mail that day, and turned out to be better looking than the previous one.

Now I had the chips, I could get the labels. I emailed a graphic off to Slam Dunk, and received a very quick response. 600 labels for the 300 chips cost $30, and after paying via PayPal I received the samples with the graphic I’d provided. Very nice!

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If you are looking for the ideal gift for that poker fanatic in your family, custom poker chips may just be the perfect choice. There is nothing quite like the feel of quality-made poker chips, and customizing them adds a lot more to the experience. A great way to put a personal touch to casual poker gatherings at home or more serious battles with a few hardened veterans, custom poker chips definitely provide a distinctive touch to the proceedings that you wouldn’t get any other way.

Custom poker chips come in a wide variety of materials as all poker chips do, although they may differ in the methods used to give them your unique design or signature. Before we go into the various means by which your custom logo or design can be placed on your custom poker chips, keep in mind that they don’t exactly come cheap. Custom poker chips can set you back anywhere from $100 to $400 and possibly even more, so it is important to make sure that you get the best value for your money. And to do that, it would help to become familiar with the different options available in custom poker chip branding.

Methods Used In The Production Of Custom Poker Chips

Below are some of the more common ways by which your own unique logo can be imprinted on your poker chips.

Hot stamping

The most common method of branding poker chips is called “foil” or “hot” stamping. When going for this option, it is important to keep in mind that you will be fairly restricted with regard to the complexity of the design. The basic rule of thumb for hot stamping is if looks good in black and white, then it should translate well when stamped onto the poker chip. If it doesn’t pass this criterion, you may either have to change your design or go for another branding method.

Inlay chip

If you want your logo in color, or if you want to imprint a photographic image on your poker chips, your best option is a direct inlay chip. This is basically a specially designed chip that features a recessed area in which a laminated inlay is placed. This inlay is actually a very durable label that will not come off no matter what. Aside from its extreme durability, the best feature of this method is that it allows you to customize your poker chips with photographic or highly complex images.

Ceramic blend

With this method, the image is printed right on the chip and no label is used. There are 12 color options available for the edge of the chip, with the center being left blank for the image to be printed. This method allows for full color printing as well, and the results are generally pretty impressive.

Full coverage ceramic

Full coverage ceramic chips allow you to customize the entire chip, including the face as well as the edges. This allows you to print custom stripes on the edges and your own personal logo or brand on the face. Keep in mind that this method isn’t suited to all types of images. When it all comes together however, the results can be pretty impressive. For this type of branding, it is a good idea to ask for a test run so you can see how well your chosen image translates onto the chip.

Materials Used In The Production Of Poker Chips

Poker chips are typically made out of three materials: clay, metal, and plastic. The best feeling chips tend to be pricier, although you could certainly make do with the inexpensive ones until you can buy the more expensive clay or metal chips.

Clay Poker Chips

These are the most expensive poker chips commonly available. These chips aren’t actually made entirely out of clay, but rather a blend of clay and some other materials. These poker chips have a nice heft to them, and they are the chips of choice for high-end casinos and high rollers. These chips typically weigh 8 to 11.5 grams each.

Metal Poker Chips

Lower down the price ladder are metal chips, which feature a metal center surrounded by plastic. These poker chips also typically weigh in at 8 to 11.5 grams each, and are widely used in many casinos all over the world. These types of poker chips tend to be quite durable and long-lasting.

Plastic Poker Chips

The most affordable poker chips are made out of plastic, and they are considerably lighter than the two other poker chips as you may have imagined. Although poker hounds may miss the heft and balance of the more expensive chips, these chips will certainly work well enough in a pinch or for more casual games. These chips are typically considered “beginner” poker chips, and most serious players gravitate to the more expensive ones later on.

This article covers the more common ways to imprint images on custom poker chips and goes into detail about the various materials used in the manufacture of poker chips. Also included are a few suggestions on why custom poker chips could make the ideal gift for poker players.

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