Tag Archives: used

Clay Poker Chip Sets

May 30, 2019   Personal game   No comments

Casino tokens – commonly known as chips are tokens used in place of money in casinos. Since using huge amounts of money can be both risky as well as dangerous this system has been long devised .At the end of the game the chips are exchanged at the counter for an equivalent amount of money.

A variant of chips are plaques they serve the same purpose as chips though they differ in some respects. Plaques are bigger; mostly they are rectangular in shape, have a serial number and are used to denote larger denominations than chips.

Coming to the make of the chip early players even used pieces of gold or ivory. Besides such exotic material, chips have been made of bone, wood, paper and clay. Another unusual material is mother of pearl which is used in many European chip sets.

Amongst all these the most popular is clay chips. Some excellent quality chip sets are available in clay. Though called clay chip sets they are not entirely made of clay. The material is a combination of clay and sand or calcium carbonate or chalk, the outcome is a more durable substance than clay. The clay is molded and colored in a different way in different manufacturing units. The method used is unique in each case and is usually a trade secret.

A broad outline of the process can be explained here. The color and design on the chip is not painted or done manually. Rather some clay is used of different colors to give the color and designing effect on the chip, this different colored clay is bonded with the base of the chip .The whole thing is baked at a high heat so that the color and design becomes an integral part of the chip and can in no way peel off.

Ceramic chips are the latest ones that are in vogue. They too are referred to as clay chips. Another cheaper substitute is plastic or resin that is given a clay feel and even sound. These are certainly cheaper and hence are more commonly used in homes. But for professionals and tournaments clay chips are a must. Another reason (besides the cost) why clay chip sets are not preferred by homes is the feel of clay chips when they are first used .Many complain of rough surface, jagged edges, uneven feel etc.

To start with all clay chips may feel that way but in casinos excessive usage smoothens them soon whereas at homes it takes much longer. So it may be advisable for friendly tournaments to stick to plastic chip sets with a clay feel rather than going or actual clay chips.

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How To Sound Like A Cardshark

May 4, 2019   Personal game   No comments

It’s really easy to spot the “fish” at a poker table: so easy, that there is a saying that goes “if you can’t spot the fish, you ARE the fish”. Unless you want to be gobbled up by the “sharks”, build up your expertise before you enter casinos.

One of the easy ways to sound like an Active Jackson (that’s someone who plays every day) is to talk the talk. If you sound like a cardsharp, employing the enormous vocabulary that gamblers have developed, you automatically become welcome as one of the fold.

Do not begin by “firing” – betting high – while playing for the first time. Gambling is extremely addictive, but that very addiction is what has made people lose their fortunes, spouses and lives while borrowing enough money to put on the table on their next bet. Incidentally, “Gamblers’ Anonymous” is a useful resource for gamblers who have, to be brutal, gambled away their lives and now want to salvage them.

So limit your “drop” – the money you spend – and gamble wisely. If you end up among cardsharps and high rollers, you will have to pay up or risk being called a “flea”, so pick table fellows who share your mindset.

Unless you have a lot of money to waste, begin by playing friendly games or on free online casinos. This lets you come to grips with the rules of the game, instead of coming “down to the felt” – being broke – on your very first night of play.

Of course, knowing the lingo isn’t all that there is to a successful round at casinos. The best way to begin is by playing where your money is not at stake. Playing with real people will let you get used to speaking the jargon and handling chips and cards, which online casinos will not let you do. While the two seem perfectly similar when you think about it logically, it is also a fact that transitioning from doing something on the computer to doing it with your bare hands is quite a jump and takes some getting used to. Soon, though, your game will definitely warm up.

If you want to be a gambler, it isn’t enough to just know the rules of the game. You need to stay in touch with what is going on in the casino world. The best way to keep up is, as always, the magazines on the subject. “All In”, “Casino Journal”, “Casino Life” and “Casino Players” are some famous magazines that provide regular updates, tips and tricks, though free online gambling magazines are also available for beginners who do not want in-depth knowhow just yet.

The best way to avoid being the “fish” at the table is to know your game, and to know that you know it. It’s best if your first attempts at gambling with real money are made online, because that way your opponent can’t see your face. Using online casinos where chat is permitted will let you get used to the gambling terminology. Now that you have bitten the bullet, it’s unlikely that you will look back – good luck!

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