Poker Chips:
The terms "Casino Grade Chips" and "Poker Chips" have different meanings in the Gaming Industry. Essentially, there are two classes of chips to be considered. The premier chip is the true casino grade chip and the other alternative is the low cost 'home game' chip.
Casino Grade chips are further divided into 2 categories; clay and clay composite. Both generally weigh between 9 and 10.5 grams.
The discerning or professional player considers clay chips the most desirous chips. These compression-molded chips are the standard for the vast majority of casinos worldwide.
The second casino grade chip is the clay composite chip. These
chips are injection molded. Chipco and Kardwell are the two primary
manufactures of this style chip and both firms manufacture their
chips in the USA. NJ utilizes a 'natural' feeling substance, giving
their chip a clay sound and feel while Chipco's chip is a more
'cold' ceramic material. The major advantage these chips have
over their clay counterpart is their ability to accept full-face
graphics.
Although the clay chip has been the industry standard for decades,
the composite chip's popularity and use has grown significantly
in the past few years. While there is no tangible difference in
the quality of a clay chip versus a casino grade composite chip,
the lower cost and graphic capability of the composite chip has
seen its popularity grow within the casinos worldwide.
There is a third type of chip available called composite chip
which is manufactured in China. These low cost, multi-colored
chips are made of PVC injected plastic over a metal slug and are
produced specifically for the inexperienced and novice market.
It is their metal core that makes them heavier than a casino grade
product. Their mass production makes them widely available throughout
the world at sometimes extremely low prices. This doesn't make
them better. Just heavier and cheaper and hence not casino grade.
This type of chip, although never recommended over a casino grade
product, may be appropriate for the occasional player.
Whilst the clay chips and clay composite chips are generally more expensive (often 3 to 4 times more) I would suggest any regular poker player invest in a quality set as acquiring poker chips should be a once in a lifetime purchase. The cheaper Chinese chips are quite slippery, making them difficult to create high stacks and perform some chip tricks. From our experience casino grade quality (clay or clay composite) is the way to go!
