Playing card games Las Vegas style with your friends can be a whole lot of fun, but if you don’t have the equipment that you need … it can turn into a hassle. You end up with a whole lot more problems and annoyed players than you would have thought and you just don’t have as much of a good time. But you can do a lot better with the right tools and games. Knowing what to look for in a good poker chips set or gaming tokens can also be just one of the many great tools in your arsenal of choosing just what you and your friends are going to need.

The Many Materials in the Poker Chip Universe

As regular players of casinos—whether in Las Vegas or playing cards among friends—if you think about poker chips or gaming tokens you probably don’t really think that there are a lot of options, right? Most people assume that poker chips are all the same. The ones that your best friend has in that $5 set seem the same as the ones at the casino, right? But, they’re actually not the same at all. There are all different types of poker chips and the differences start with the material used to make the chip. By understanding your options, you may be able to pick out your chips more easily.

Plastic

The cheapest poker chips that you’re going to find are made out of some form of plastic. These could be made out of just about anything but the main benefits to them are that they are inexpensive and they are extremely lightweight. They can also be quite durable because plastic is harder to break than the clay chips at the top of the chain. For some people, however, they are a little bit too lightweight and that results in problems when you’re using them. They can move around a little more than intended and they don’t sound right when you click them on the table (which is important to some people). If you need something inexpensive these are what you get but if you have a little extra money try to avoid plastic chips.

Ceramic

These are chips you may not have heard as much about, but they’re in use in many different places. A lot of casinos actually like to use ceramic chips because they’re smooth and they can be printed with some pretty cool graphics on them. They’re going to be more expensive than plastic or composite but generally cheaper than clay. Of course, that’s going to depend on just what you want to have printed on them and how detailed it’s going to get. In general, they’re going to be quite durable as well, which you don’t always get with clay, so they’re something to consider.

Clay

The highest quality chips are made out of clay. They’re going to be just like what you get in the casino hall, and they’re going to feel a whole lot better in your hands. You will spend a bit more money for these, but they’ll be worth it if you really want to get into playing poker. They’re going to give you a whole lot more natural experience and they’re going to make it really feel like you’re playing a professional game, even when you’re just hanging out with friends. They can be a little more breakable than plastic or even composite chips, but if you’re careful with them you won’t have any problems.

Composite

These are the middle-grade chips. For those who need to save a little bit of money but aren’t completely stuck on cheap, these are the type of chips you want because they create a good balance. Plastic in the chips makes them more durable while the clay makes them feel a little more like what you’re used to. They’re going to be a bit heavier, which is great for avoiding that rolling and sliding that plastic chips will do. You’re going to get a good mix of quality and moderate pricing, but if you have a little bit more money available, clay chips are definitely going to be the best you’ll find anywhere.

The Specifics on Poker Chips

Okay, so now you know pretty well what you want your chips to be made of. You know what the differences are and how they’re going to affect your gameplay. But what about the other features of those chips? It’s not just about the material they’re made out of, right? Well, no. It’s also about things like their design, their weight, and even the color of the chips that you choose. By looking at all of these things you’ll be able to get a complete set that lets you practice (or participate) in a full game right at home.

Design

Not all poker chips are going to have unique designs on them, but there are many things that you can do to personalize your set. First of all, you can have standard chips that have the colored spaces throughout. You can also get some that are made with different printed designs on them. Some of these are more intricate than others, but it’s entirely up to you what you want. You’re also going to find stickers that can be added to the chips to make them look a certain way, which works out good for those who can’t afford specially printed chips but who still want something unique. Finally, you can get chips engraved with anything you want to really get a personalized look and feel. To accent any of these (or as a side method) you can use gold or silver foil stamping to get a more elegant look.

Weight

There are all different weights for poker chips, so you’ll want to look at the options before you choose just one for your own set. A lighter chip is going to be cheaper to buy, but the heavier the chip the longer lasting it’s going to be. So try to come up with something in between.

Color

Just like with your design options, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to the color of your chips. Basically, if you can think it you can get it, but if you’re looking for a certain standard you’ll find that most casinos have a simple system of colors corresponding to specific dollar amounts.

With all of this information, you’re going to have no problem finding just the right chips for your next poker game.