Updated November 11, 2025
Poker doesn’t get much cooler than being a chip leader at the business end of a major tournament. It’s a rare experience, though, even for the best poker players of all time. Though you can technically recreate the same scenario with matchsticks across a kitchen table, the vibe wouldn’t be the same.
That’s not to say you can’t bring an authentic casino experience to your home game; you can, but you’ll need to pay attention to a few key details.
- In addition to the table, chairs, and brand of cards, your choice of chips is also key.
- But with so many sets on the market, how do you know which chips to buy?
Which set will look, sound, and feel the best? Which poker chips are good for shuffling, and which set is least likely to give your accountant an aneurysm?
Let’s take a look.
How to Choose Best Poker Chips – Buying Guide
Before you start liquidating your crypto and rushing to your nearest mall, here are a few things to keep in mind:
What kind of home game are you having?
Are you trying to recreate a premium experience for serious poker players, or are you just looking for something to do when your friends come over for a drink?
It’s essential to consider your clientele and preferred material for your poker games before setting a budget.
Regs will expect good quality clay chips to shuffle, whereas newbies won’t know any better.
How Much Will You Use Them?
You can’t buy a Ferrari on a Fiat budget, but there’s also no point in having a supercar that sits in the garage.
If you’re only planning to use your chips once or twice, it doesn’t make sense to break the bank, unless your event requires that air of luxuriousness.
How Many Will You Need?
You'll also need to consider the number of players you'll have before selecting a chip set. Chip sets come in a range of different sizes, usually with somewhere between 200 and 1000 unique chips.
Although the small sets should have enough high-denomination chips to cover any realistic stakes, the lack of smaller denominations can often force players to seek change from other players.
This set of poker chip values can be annoying because it interrupts the game and prevents players from building a large stack of chips.
What Is Your Style?
The style of chips is also a factor. Although many sets feature a vintage, classical design, poker chips are available in a wide range of styles and colours, making it easy to find something suitable for your game, even if you have a specific preference in mind.
Whether you’re looking to use the same colour scheme as your favourite casino to avoid mis-clicks or rectangular plaques like high-roller games on TV, it’s easy to find a chip set to fit your mojo.
You can even order fully customised chips if you’ve got the budget or occasion for it.
What Material Do You Prefer?
All chips aren’t created equal, and the material used is one of the key factors when it comes to experience and price. There are four main kinds of chips: plastic, composite/clay, ceramic, and metal, and each has its pros and cons.
- Plastic chips are the cheapest, and for good reason. They’re light, tough to shuffle and feel like tossing empty bottle caps around. Though they’re fine for a random one-off poker night, you’ll want something a little more high-end if you plan to play regularly.
- Metal chips exist, apparently, but no one has ever actually seen any in person. Though they're cool to play with, lugging them around might be a chore.
- Ceramic and composite/clay chips are the most common and are what you’ll find in typical casinos. They're completely customisable, durable, and evenly weighted, which makes them perfect for performing cool chip tricks and shuffles. If you want to bring an authentic casino vibe to your home game, they're the only real choice.
What’s Your Budget?
Once you know what you're looking for to play specific types of poker games, it’s time to start thinking about a budget. In addition to material, chip prices can vary widely depending on the brand, weight, and quality, so it's helpful to have a budget in mind before you begin.
Here are a few different options for each budget, excluding inexpensive plastic chip sets that are widely available.
Best Budget and Mid-range Poker Chip Sets
If you ‘re in the market for something that is good quality but not ready to take a hammer to your piggy bank, here are a few solid but reasonably priced options for under $200:
High-End Sets and Accessories for Home Games
If you're trying to add that high-roller feel to your home game, consider something more premium.
Although the sets above are excellent, here are a couple of the most expensive chips on the market for those looking to splurge.
They won’t help you play like a high roller, but at least you’ll look the part.
As you can see, there's a lot to research when buying a poker set. Whichever kit you decide to go with, though, let's hope you win a huge stack of them in your next home game.
If you’re still unsure which set is for you, here’s a quick FAQ summary to help you pick:
Best Poker Chips - FAQ
Q: What are the best poker chips for home games?
A: Clay or ceramic chips offer the most authentic casino feel and sound.
Q: How many chips do I need?
A: Around 500 chips comfortably cover most 6–10 player games.
Q: Are plastic chips any good?
A: They’re cheap and fine for casual games but lack weight and texture.
Q: What’s the best mid-range set?
A: The Slowplay Nash Clay or JPC Crown Casino sets both balance quality and value.
Q: Are expensive chips worth it?
A: Only if you play regularly or want that luxury high-roller vibe.
