For most people, the term “poker chips” conjures an image of brightly colored branded casino chips, in stacks on an elegant green velvet surface. Others might be likely to remember the lightweight, thin plastic chips that were kept in a tin cookie can in the family game closet. Well, internationalization and advancements in manufacturing technology have brought new options for poker enthusiasts and everyone else – custom poker chips that can be used not just for poker games, but also marketing, and events like parties or weddings. Let’s take a look at poker chips past and present, and then delve into the many custom poker chip options available today.
A Brief History of the Poker Chip
The exact origin of the poker chip, like the origin of the word “poker” itself, is not well known. What we do know is that the earliest precursors to the modern poker chip date back to the saloons, riverboats, and gold rush towns across the American frontier in the1800’s.
The earliest American poker chips were made of porcelain or bone. Materials then progressed from wood to plastic to composite clay, finally arriving at the most common (and the most expensive) substance used today – ceramic. Recently there are a few companies selling metal and pewter poker chips, which may turn out be the materials of the future?
Fun fact: In the late nineteenth century, chips with the highest values were blue. That is how the term “blue chip stocks” came into use.
Poker Chip Customization: Going All in for Great Games and Memorable Marketing
Today’s customization options obviously open many opportunities in the realm of poker, be it for home games, tournaments, or major events. Individuals and local groups can create dedicated chips for their club or family, choosing material, colors, and printed words or images. Customization choices even include how secondary colors are arranged around the perimeter of the chip, and include options such as multi-stripe, cinque, 8-stripe, and solid color.
For marketers, custom poker chips deliver an almost infinite combination of marketing approaches. They can be designed to reflect the unique style, branding, or theme of a corporation or educational institution. Because printing can include photos, logos, contact details, and even QR codes, these custom chips can elevate a corporate or personal image to new heights.
The idea of custom poker chips is not entirely new. The above is a United States patent from 1923: Advertising Device for Poker Chips.
Outside of actual poker games and corporate branding, custom poker chips can become delightful mementos for a wide range of personal events: birthday parties, weddings, graduations. They have the ability to be the ideal accompaniment to countless important life milestones.
The Final Table
Overall, custom poker chips offer a unique and personalized way to enhance the gaming experience, promote brands or events, and create lasting mementos for family, friends, players and participants. Myriad design and material choices mean the only limit is your imagination. So, are you “All In?”