FAQs
Define 'clay' and are these compression clays?
The term "clay" in the poker chip world is a bit of a misnomer — virtually no modern poker chips are made from actual clay. Our 'clay' chips are made primarily from a mix of polypropylene (a plastic) and barium sulfate (a mineral filler). The barium sulfate is what gives the chips their satisfying weight and that slightly chalky, textured feel that players love. And yes, barium sulfate is completely safe — it's so non-toxic that it's actually used in medicine as a contrast agent for X-rays.
These are not compression-molded clay chips. True compression clay chips — like those made by Paulson (used in many major casinos) or ASM/Classic Poker Chips) — are manufactured through a different and more expensive process. Compression molding involves placing a composite material (typically a proprietary blend of clay, calcium carbonate, chalk, sand, and other minerals with binding resins) into a heated mold under high pressure. This process creates an extremely durable chip with a distinctive sound, feel, and edge texture that many enthusiasts consider the gold standard. However, compression clay chips come at a significantly higher price point (more than 4x times the cost in most cases).
Our polypropylene/barium sulfate composite chips offer an excellent feel and weight at a more accessible price
Why are these best for poker/gaming?
Our clay chips are precision-engineered to tighter tolerances than composite chips — each one measures exactly 40mm with a perfectly flat surface for superior stacking stability during serious play. We refurbish our molds every 1 million chips to maintain this precision. Clay chips also feature 3-4 color tones (vs. simpler composite designs), making denominations easier to spot and count in the pot.
My clay chips are a bit 'chalky' on the edges, what can I do?
Mineral oil works well on our Clay Poker Chips. Mineral oil is chemically inert with polypropylene — it won't degrade, dissolve, or warp the plastic. It fills in the micro-texture on the chip surface that causes the chalky appearance, making colors look richer and more saturated. A light coat rubbed in with a soft cloth, then buffed off, is the usual approach.