Chips: Are they All the Same?

To an ordinary player who enjoys poker in the comforts of their home, chips would simply equate to poker chips. However, in the world of a renowned poker player, chips could refer to any of the two: casino grade chips and poker chips. Basically, a casino grade poker chip is a premiere chip while poker chips are the low-cost alternatives for a home poker game. Think not that the classification of chips ends in these two since the casino grade chips are further categorized into either a clay or a clay composite.

Most desirable to a professional poker player are the clay chips. These chips are used in most of the casinos worldwide. Another intriguing fact about these chips lies on its composition and manufacturing process, which are considered as highly-guarded industry secrets. Looking at the product, we can just conclude that the manufacturing process is labor-intensive accounting for its higher cost than any other chip.

The other type of casino grade chip is the clay composite, which are injection molded. This type of chip is made in the USA by two primary manufacturers: Chipco and Kardwell. Aside of the clay composite's lower costs, this type of chips accepts full-face graphics. This brings the composite type ahead of the clay casino grade chip. These two may even be the reason for the chip's increasing popularity and use.

Poker games are not only held in casinos. Poker can also be played at home so a third type of chip is made available for the home user. This type of chip is also a composite chip. However, this is made from China. Being for home-use only, these chips are of low cost and are usually multi-colored. More often than not, this type of composite chip is made specifically for a poker newbie. There are other poker chips available on the market. One of which is considered as the heaviest. This particular chip, marketed by Cleverly, has a metal core making them heavier than a clay casino grade chip. However, being heavier does not mean they are the better type of chips.

Casino grade chips and poker chips are available in the market. For a novice poker player, you would not know that there are any differences aside from their costs. In a casino, the clay and composite chips are more commonly used while poker chips are used within the confinements of your home or any place other than a casino. So if you're thinking of what to get, you have to first consider where and how you will use these chips before you buy them.