Clay poker chips

What are American style clay chips?
That is the name given to the type of chips manufactured in the United States starting in the late 1800's and continuing even today.

How long has this company been making clay chips?
About 85 years.

So these chips are made of clay right?
Not exactly. Originally they may have been clay, but for the last 75 years or so they have been a composition of materials heavier and more durable than clay.

How are clay chips made?
The real clay chips are compression molded under extreme pressure and temperature. 10,000 lbs psi and 300F.

What about all these injection molded chips that I see advertised as clay?
Beware, all injection molded chips are plastic. Some are made with a clay like filler added, but they do not have the same feel or handling of true clay chips.

What about clay composite chips?
Clay composite chips are injection molded plastic with a clay filler.

So how much plastic is in a real clay chip?
None.

Are clay chips unbreakable?
No they are not. Clay chips are tough and durable under normal playing conditions, but rough handling can cause damage. This is also true of plastic chips.

Are clay chips washable?
No they are not. You cannot put clay chips in the dish washer, clothes washer or bucket of water to soak. This will destroy your chips! If you need to clean any clay chips, it should be done one chip at a time. Use a soft fine brush (toothbrush works well) and a small amount of mild detergent in water. Use the brush to apply a small amount of cleaner to the chip, then dry at once with a soft cloth.

Are custom clay chips available for quick delivery?
No, in most cases they are not. Because customers get to pick both chip colors and custom art work, most orders can not be pre-manufactured. Please allow 10 to 12 weeks for unique custom chip orders.

How should clay chips be stored?
Chips should be stored in a cool dry place away from direct sun light. When traveling with chips, never leave them in a locked car on a hot day. Temperatures inside a locked car can reach 150 degrees or more. These conditions may damage your chips.

How long will clay chips last?
In a casino about 3 to 6 years; in home use, a life time.

What do Clay Chips weigh?
Professional casino clay chips weigh between 8.5 to 10 grams. Some chip makers use lead powder to increase chip weight. Our clay chips are 100% lead free and weigh 8.5 to 9 grams.

What's the difference between a printed center and hot stamped chip?
With a printed center custom chip, the printing is protected by clear PVC vinyl and molded directly into the body of the chip. Hot stamping applies gold foil directly to the surface of the chip using heat and pressure.

Can I get a picture of Elvis printed on my chips?
No you can't. Pictures of famous people are copyright protected and in most cases can not be used without permission.

How many do I have to order?
Because all real clay chips are made by a very labor intensive process we require a minimum of 300 chips. Within a 300 chip set you can have up to 3 body colors. In a 400 chip set up to 4, and in a 500 up to 5. The 300 chip minimum applies only to clay chips.

What is it that makes clay chips so popular after all these years?

• Security - The number one reason. It is almost impossible to duplicate a hand made clay chip. The molds that make these chips exist only at our factory and the manufacturing process is a closely guarded secret.
• Handling - Clay chips handle more easily than plastic chips. They're not so slippery, a big advantage to casinos.
• Durability - Proven in thousands of casinos around the world for the last 75 years.
• Cost - Still the least expensive protected chip on the market today.