Poker Chips Buying Guide
Most casino chips are made of clay and other composite materials, and are produced through a process of compression molding. Quality chip manufacturing is a difficult process that expensive and takes a great deal of time and effort. The compression molding process exerts extreme pressure of 10,000 psi and extreme heat of 300 °F.
Ceramic chips are an alternative to clay chips and are often referred to as clay composite. Composite chips are injection molded solid white ceramic disks with printed on designs. Many home chip sets are molded around metal inserts in the middle to add weight to the chip. When playing, the ability to easily stack chips is important, and generally a heavier chip will stack better then a light one. The weight of the chips vary between 8.5 and 13.5 grams. Normally, the heavier the chip the better they are for playing, but heavier chips make transporting them more difficult.
Prices for chip sets vary and you usually get what you pay for. For example, you will notice the game play is much more enjoyable for heavier clay or composite chips then those that are cheap like plastic. Most home game poker set designs show six faces of a die or the suit symbols circling the face of the chip's outer edge. The colors for chip sets are usually white, red, and blue. Some sets have additional colors like black and yellow as well. Usually, having a sufficient amount of the three basic colors will enable chip counting aspect of the game to be simplified making the overall playing experience better.
[ Poker Chip Set Reviews ][ Back to top ]
Poker Cards Buying Guide
Playing cards are made up of either cardboard or plastic. To increase the durability and enhance the brightness of the colors, the cardboard or paper sheets go through a varnishing process. The printed sheets go through an automated process which cuts each card out and rounds the corners. The 52 card deck plus 2 jokers is then wrapped in cellophane and placed inside its cardboard case.
Do not overlook the importance of getting quality playing cards. The cards themselves make a huge impact when playing poker. Shuffling, dealing, and the overall game speed are all improved when using higher performance cards. There are many different designs to choose from when buying a deck of cards, but for a good home game you should usually look to get two decks of a name brand like card manufacturer like Copag. Make sure the two decks are different colors so they do not get mixed up, usually a blue deck and a red deck work best. When playing at a home game, while the dealer is dealing the current hand the player to his left will be shuffling the next deck of cards so he will be ready to deal when the current hand ends. Note the size of the card rank and symbol, when sitting at the end of an oval table it is often difficult to see the cards clearly especially if the rank and symbol design is small.
[ Poker Cards Reviews ][ Back to top ]
Poker Table Buying Guide
When buying a poker table there are some things you need to consider in order to get one that is conducive to playing cards. The shape of the table is certainly something you need to consider. The importance of the table shape is evident when several seated players can easily be able to reach the middle, where the game play takes place and where the pot is usually located. The closer the players are to the center the easier it is to deal out cards, to see the community cards that are laid face up in the middle, and for players to reach the cards or chips located in the center of the table. If your game consists of 6-8 players, round or octagonal tables work the best as every sitting player will be able to reach the center of the poker table. If you plan to have 8-10 players, then an oval table is the better choice. Oval poker tables allow the players in the center to easily reach the edges to help push chips and cards in and out to the ends of the table making the home game run smoother.
The surface of the table should be slick enough to allow the cards to glide across the top easily, yet it should have enough grip that the cards do not slip off the other side. Normally, felt type material works the best such as baize, or the Teflon-coated fabric known as speed cloth which slides the cards easily across the table top. If the table top is wood, a lacquer finish is recommended so that the cards slide easily to their intended destination. Higher end poker tables have a padded and slightly raised edge, known as the rail where players can rest their arms. Occasionally, a wooden space between the rail and felt circles around the table. This flat surface is known as the race track and is often used for cup holders.
The most important detail in whatever table you choose is its sturdiness. Look for table legs that provide solid support to the poker table, especially because you need to expect players to lean on the table, rest their elbows on the table, and to place drinks and food on the table. The table needs to be sturdy enough to handle these things.
If you only plan to use the table occasionally, then having the legs fold inward for storage is important. For fold away tables, look for one that is lightweight so it can be easily moved and one that folds easily without pinching your fingers.
[ Poker Table Reviews ][ Back to top ]
