Travel Cases (for 1000+ chips)

[Silencer]

Does anyone even know of nice 1,000+ chip cases? I got one of the 1,000 chip texas holdem sets from 5stardeal (also on ebay). It's a great set but I'd like to come up with some sort of travel case so that I can more easily take it to other peoples houses to play. There are two catches really. The set comes with 10 acrylic trays (5x20) which most of you probably have. We tend to play high-stack games and it's not unusual for somebody to have over 800 chips near the end of the game. The trays make it really easy to count and organize this so I want to bring them with me. I also have one of those $10 automatic card shufflers which I'd like to bring with*.

I've only found two cases capable of holding 1,000 chips but neither will work.

http://www.pokerchipsusa.com/1000pokerchipcase.html
http://www.gamelandsports.com/.sc/ms/dd ... hip%20case

The first case isn't really designed for poker chips. It's just a case that happens to fit the trays they include. It doesn't look like it'd fit my trays though, or the shuffler, and even if it could fit one it certainly wouldn't fit both of them. The second case only holds chips and nothing else. Either way I'd have to bring at least 2 bags/cases and that kinda defeats the purpose of the case to begin with. Does anyone know of any others? Or if not, how does this idea sound?

I could also order 10 more of the trays I already have. This way I can sandwich the chips between 2 trays. Then I was going to get some nice oak and build a rack/box that holds 5 of these double-tray sandwiches next to each other. I got this small duffle bag which is just big enough to fit two of these boxes on top of each other, plus the shuffler, cards, books and all my other stuff on top. That would hold 1,000 chips, 20 trays, plus everything else, but my woodworking skills while good aren't great and I can see myself spending more money on something like this than even an expensive pre-built case. I could also build an actual case and skip the duffle bag which would be really nice but also really expensive. Thoughts or opinions?

* Yes I'm a newb and can't shuffle. Fear not though, for I just got 3 decks of Kem cards in the mail today and they seem to be a TON easier to shuffle and I think I'll learn quick with them.

[mindgame]

The casinos have these racks that stack 5 or 6 of the 5x20 rows trays on each side of a centerpost with a handle. A large acrylic box slides over the works. I've been looking for one myself, off and on, but haven't found one that's anywhere near affordable.

As for a case that holds 1,000...like the rack above, you would have to LIFT it. I use two 500 chip cases and that works okay, but then I have to lug around a cardboard box that has the 10 or 20 trays I like to use. I also have a few nice acrylic COVERED trays. They are 4x25 row trays. I use them to bring a few hundred $200 and $500 chips to tourney games. We "color up" the stacks toward the end of the tournaments so guys don't have to play with hundreds of chips in front of them. Speeds things up.

[sceadu]

http://www.buypokerchips.com/ > Poker Accessories.

I dunno if you consider that affordable or not, but that's the only one I've come across. Sorry if you've seen that one already.

[mindgame]

That's the very one. And I hadn't heard of those guys--that's a great link.

However...$179 is might steep for a plastic box. Probably made of Lexan (a trade name for polycarbonate--they box in tellers with that stuff at banks). I work with a company that actually builds those bulletproof enclosures, so I know the stuff is incredibly expensive. However, I was told that if I come up with the design they'll build me a chip box like that pictured--but out of acrylic (plexiglass). Now plexiglass is pretty damn tough and I can specify 1/4" sheet, so they'd be heavy and strong enough. They could make them for around $50 or $60, but I'd need to buy at least 6 at a time.....So I haven't gone anywhere with it. I mean, how long would it take to find buyers for a half dozen of them while I sat on a $360 investment?

Anyway, thanks. Nice chips too.

[Silencer]

Yeah that one seems a little expensive (although it looks a lot nicer than the $80 you can find on ebay). Speaking of plastic though, I might actually have a place where you can get a 1/4" sheet pre-cut for pretty cheap. All you need to do is glue it together and cut whatever slots or anything you need for a handle. I'll try to find the link because now that you mention it that's not a bad idea. It would be cheaper than oak or something plus it would look cool. I'll reply a little later if I can find the place.

-Edit-

http://www.interstateplastics.com/

If you go to materials -> see-through there are a few types like Acrylite FF and extruded acrylic sheet. The ones with the little shopping card are ones you can order online. I'm not sure of the quality cus I've never got any before but it's pretty damn cheap. I mean you can get six 12"x12" 1/4" thick sheets for under $20. I used to know a ton about this but it's been a while so I don't remember what the basic cut tolerance is or what shipping or any of that stuff is but it's definitely a place to start. If I wasn't completely broke I'd buy three of the 12"x48" sheets and see if I can throw together a long narrow case that's only a few inches deep

[mindgame]

Well now you sound like a real hard core poker player!

My wife is always asking how I can play poker when I'm "completely broke." I try to explain that there's completely broke and there's "Well, I mean, of course I've got money for poker because that's investment money" completely broke. It's sort of like keeping money in different accounts. She, naturally, isn't buying any of this. She just want 80 bucks for groceries and she doesn't give a rat's ass which pocket it comes out of.

Women.

[Dave B]

I love how you have a great night, take home a $500 or a grand, and the hand is out for "their" share. But when you drop some cash you get the old, "well that is too bad honey".

So then I tried to keep quiet about the whole deal....then I get the old-"man you must REALLY be losing lately, you havent even mentioned poker".

So I respond-how do you think we paid for Xmas and having the basement finished without a dime going on the credit cards????

That worked for about a week or two, now she is assuming that I am losing again. Oh well.

All I know is if I have any luck in Vegas (March 17-20) I better stop at the bank BEFORE I get home.

[mindgame]

THE BANK!

Man that's your mortal enemy. You've got cash. Keep it that way. It doesn't exist.

(But that's funny, about how you just quit talking...and they assume the worst. Every time.)

[Dave B]

You can win at poker....you cant win with women.

[groton]

The casinos have these racks that stack 5 or 6 of the 5x20 rows trays on each side of a centerpost with a handle. A large acrylic box slides over the works. I've been looking for one myself, off and on, but haven't found one that's anywhere near affordable.

As for a case that holds 1,000...like the rack above, you would have to LIFT it. .

I use to work at Foxwoods Casino as a Securty Guard
those are Acword to tote around
and Chips get Real Heavy real fast
also hated rullete and bacqarak Fills
expcaly in the high Rollers areas when u know the Magic eyes have u on there Scope.

[UnluckyKyle]

I posted this in another thread, but i feel it has a bit more bearing here.

Ok, here's my 2 cents...

If you've got 1000+ chips, why not buy a few 300c or 500c vinyl chip cases (so they're easier to split amongst multiple tables) to put the chips in. Also buy enough acrylic 100ct chip trays so either everyone has one, or those that need them may have them.

Now, instead of trying to pack all of your 1000+ chips, cards, buttons, trays, and other miscelaneous(sp?) poker accessories into one case, why not put the chips and cards in the 300 or 500 chip cases and pack it all into a carry-on type luggage bag.

You can store all papers, buttons, etc. in one of the zipper pockets.
Most have wheels and an extending handle.
They come in all sizes so you could accomidate all your trays and cases.

Also, they're not terribly expensive (like the 1000 chip acryllic box), and they'd be 10x easier to use.

You can pick up a scratch and dent case from 5stardeal for $7-$20 for a 500 chip case.