Poker and casino chips as an investment

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The Chip Spa

The Chip Spa

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I’ve read and discussed chips as an investment vehicle lately. This subject has come up many times in the past.

I’ve always said that if one looks at chips as an investment you’re on the wrong track. Lately though I’d have to say there is one no risk investment when it comes to chips, and that’s production. Not in general but with desirable manufacturers, ok specifically Angel Playing Card co. As CPC chips are nowhere near as desirable nor the same quality and cost quite a bit more.

Another distinct difference is in the way we think, am I a collector? If yes then the price of a chip or rack is relevant only to me and I will buy it at the value worth it to me, the primary thought is owning it in my collection.
Or
Am I a “dealer” or “amateur flipper”
Do I look only at obtaining chips to flip. Do I pass on chips because of their price or published value in some price guide. Is it Something I buy on speculation of profit.

Do I look at chips and say “well I don’t collect those but it’s $5 and it’s worth at least $10”.

What’s your thoughts on Poker Chips as an investment ??
 
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Meh - I don’t care about making $$ on my hobbies. Would prefer not lose $$ either. I am very content if I end up net/net $0 (or close).

I know some folks want/need the hobby to be self funding and in general I’m ok with that in principle. However, it’s a turn off for me personally when the self-funding is at the expense of fellow hobbyists through opportunistic methods and behaviors.
 
Yes, I've made plenty of profit from selling things that I got a few years ago. That's not the main goal for me, but if there's a chip that I know is in high demand and I have an extra, plus I know that people are looking for them I would like to sell one and give people the opportunity to sell.

Overall I do consider collecting an investment, it's not the main thing, but I do see it as that.
 
Okku said:
Yes, I've made plenty of profit from selling things that I got a few years ago. That's not the main goal for me, but if there's a chip that I know is in high demand and I have an extra, plus I know that people are looking for them I would like to sell one and give people the opportunity to sell.

Overall I do consider collecting an investment, it's not the main thing, but I do see it as that.
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I’ve been operating under the assumption that we’ve seen the big boom in chip value. But it occurs to me (and maybe because of something you wrote elsewhere) that there could still be big booms in the future. If chips (clay chips specifically, but possibly all chips) disappear from casinos entirely, then yeah, I could see a situation where suddenly there’s a big influx of people into the hobby, and prices skyrocket.
Hmm. Maybe I should buy more sets.
 
upNdown said:
I’ve been operating under the assumption that we’ve seen the big boom in chip value. But it occurs to me (and maybe because of something you wrote elsewhere) that there could still be big booms in the future. If chips (clay chips specifically, but possibly all chips) disappear from casinos entirely, then yeah, I could see a situation where suddenly there’s a big influx of people into the hobby, and prices skyrocket.
Hmm. Maybe I should buy more sets.
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Still risky. I think investing in the market is going to be a better return. But I do see a scenario where chip values still continue to go up. A lot of people gamble and are nostalgic of casinos that will significantly change over the next 10-20 years.

However NAGB chips always scare me in regards to value if Paulson stopped producing for casinos, they can just start printing nagb chips as fantasy chips. One reason I always turned them into customs, albeit, overpaid. But it’s for self enjoyment. Once I wanted custom it was the easy choice for me vs ceramic or CPC.
 
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I think poker chips are great advertising as well as profit for casinos. You bought them, you used them, you took them home...who cares, we got your money - go show them to your friends or better yet, come back and buy 500 more to play with at home! So I don't see them disappearing but even if they did would that suddenly make them more valuable? If poker chips vanish from casino table games and the norm becomes a digital version, wouldn't you think the home game market would want that technology too? It might not be immediate, but over the course of a decade or two, poker at home with chips could be considered antiquated. And if there's no idiots like us waiting in the wings to buy and appreciate poker chips (have you seen any 30 or 40 year old stamp collectors lately?) who then would comprise the market? Poker chips might have a similar fate as Baseball Cards did, where only the truly rare or sought after are of value and millions of run-of-the-mill cards are worth fifteen cents a piece.
 
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kcking22 said:
I think poker chips are great advertising as well as profit for casinos. You bought them, you used them, you took them home...who cares, we got your money - go show them to your friends or better yet, come back and buy 500 more to play with at home! So I don't see them disappearing but even if they did would that suddenly make them more valuable? If poker chips vanish from casino table games and the norm becomes a digital version, wouldn't you think the home game market would want that technology too? It might not be immediate, but over the course of a decade or two, poker at home with chips could be considered antiquated. And if there's no idiots like us waiting in the wings to buy and appreciate poker chips (have you seen any 30 or 40 year old stamp collectors lately?) then who would the comprise the market? Poker chips might have a similar fate as Baseball Cards did, where only the truly rare or sought after are of value and millions of run-of-the-mill cards are worth fifteen cents a piece.
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I don’t think baseball cards are the best analogy because they were over produced. I would compare baseball cards to dice chips. However, to your point, one way the home game could change would be the continue rise of poker Bros, poker apps, online Poker, etc..and younger generations continue to be less social.
 
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I buy what I like. When I sell it if I make some money great. I hope to not lose money though.
 
I have a taste for a proper investment and/or trade & my opinion on chips as a vehicle to store and grow wealth?

Absolutely fucking not. Unless your opinion on wealth and investing is to make a return large enough to buy a Honda civic in 20 years…

You’re not retiring off of chips.

So, I say buy the circle clay toys, play with them, use them, and die having enjoyed things when you were alive.

If you buy to flip, you’re sad and probably poor - and ugly…. Everyone knows flippers are ugly too.
 
LouBdub said:
I have a taste for a proper investment and/or trade & my opinion on chips as a vehicle to store and grow wealth?

Absolutely fucking not. Unless your opinion on wealth and investing is to make a return large enough to buy a Honda civic in 20 years…

You’re not retiring off of chips.

So, I say buy the circle clay toys, play with them, use them, and die having enjoyed things when you were alive.

If you buy to flip, you’re sad and probably poor - and ugly…. Everyone knows flippers are ugly too.
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Lol - priceless
 
LouBdub said:
. . .
If you buy to flip, you’re sad and probably poor - and ugly…. Everyone knows flippers are ugly
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Nicolas Cage Laughing GIF
 
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