Raider Wiz Blog

Custom Poker Chips

2008-05-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone-

I just wanted to do an update to a previous post about some of the custom poker chips that we were working on...they were the WSOP tribute chips that I showed the artwork for a couple weeks ago. Well, the chips are finished and in the customer's hands, and he was kind enough to post some photos on a poker bulletin board. You can see the post and discussion following by clicking here!

Some of the photos are a little blurry, but hopefully you'll be able to get a gist of how well these chips came out. They are ceramic chips with aligned edges, designed to mimic the look of a clay chip. There is also a faux "mold mark" on the faces of the chips...it's an M that stands for Miller, since that is the customer's last name. This was the first time we've worked on designing a faux mold mark, and I think they came out really nice. If you're interested in getting a set of personalized poker chips, just give us a buzz!

Happy Mother's Day!
-Gene

Topps Poker Chips

2008-05-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

As you know, we spend lots of time making custom poker chips...today I found out about some poker chips that I had never heard of before... Topps Poker Chips. These poker chips were made in 2005-06, and feature NBA basketball stars! Some of the players included in the poker chips set are: Chris Paul, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Dwayne Wade, and many other superstars.

These poker chips are very nice collectibles for professional basketball fans. They are no longer in production, so you have to find these in places such as Best Poker Auctions. This site features a great selection of the Topps Poker Chips, and they are at bargain prices. They have new Topps NBA poker chips starting nearly every day! Be sure to check them out if you are interested in seeing these awesome collectibles.

Raiders Draft Results

2008-04-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well, the NFL draft is complete, and the months of speculation about what the Raiders would do with their 1st round draft pick have finally ended. As most of the media had predicted, the Raiders took Darren McFadden with the number 4 pick overall. McFadden was a stud running back in college, and the Raiders are banking on him being a stud in the NFL as well. He better be, considering that the Raiders used their only day one pick on a running back - a position that clearly was not a position where they were weak, having Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes, and Michael Bush already on the team. Since the draft, they have already released Rhodes, and it will not be a big surprise if Jordan is the next to go.

The upcoming season should be quite interesting, as it looks like the Oakland raiders will be starting both a quarterback and running back with little to no NFL experience. There should be plenty of big plays...we'll just have to hope that there are more big plays that go our way than for the other teams!

Some of my favorite sites

2008-04-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today I just wanted to list a few links to some great sites!

LinkNetDaily.com - a new directory that is really growing!

DJSpeakers.buyonlinetoday.net - a great collection of DJ Speakers for sale - huge selection and bargain prices!

BestAntiqueSlotMachine.com - Vintage slot machines for sale - very cool antique slot machines

BestPokerAuctions.com - A wide variety of poker auctions - lots of cool stuff!

Custom Poker Chips

2008-04-19T16:37:00.001-07:00

I've been spending a lot of time working on artwork for custom poker chips for a customer...I think we're almost finished with it! The artwork is a replica of the 2007 World Series of Poker chips. Since our chips are ceramic chips, the artwork is designed to replicate a clay chip. This is the first time I've worked on edgespots that aren't perfectly symmetrical, and I am very happy with how they are coming out! Here's a photo of the chips so far!

Slot Machine Charms

2008-04-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of getting my wife a slot machine charm for her birthday. We enjoy going to casinos (usually once a year to Vegas, more often to Black Oak Casino near Sonora), and my wife likes to play the slot machines. Of course, there haven't been any big winnings on the slots. I just heard a quiz show that asked what is the biggest revenue for Las Vegas casinos annually - and slot machines was by far number one.

Anyway, I think she would like a "lucky charm" to wear while gambling. I was thinking that either a gold slot machine charm or a silver slot machine charm might be the way to go. Either way, I think she'll be happy, and hopefully get some good luck to hit it big!

Custom Poker Chips

2008-04-12T07:35:00.001-07:00

We've been extremely busy making custom poker chips that last few weeks. We've been getting some really nice artwork from customers, and I've even designed a few that I think are worthy of becoming new stock "semi-custom" layouts. One of them is a 2007 WSOP replica with aligned edges. I've been using Adobe Illustrator for a little over a year now, and I'm finally getting to the point where I'm a little bit comfortable using it. I always used Coreldraw in the past, as that is the program that I learned first. For some reason, Coreldraw is the program of choice in the trophy industry. We always use it when doing nameplates for poker trophies and other awards.

If there are any of you who have designed poker chips artwork that could be used as semi-custom poker chips (where the text is editable for the customer), please let me know. We're always looking for new artwork to be able to offer, and we do pay commission to the artists for sales of the chips. The artwork can be very simple and straighforward, as long as it is done well. The main thing is that customers want something personalized, and being able to pick a design with their own wording is a key to providing the product that they are looking for!

Antique Slot Machine Website

2008-04-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a new website, bestantiqueslotmachine.com - it is a website centered around vintage slot machines. The site includes the best vintage slot machines available for sale, and items are updated daily! Some of the most popular items are Mills Slot Machines, Jennings Slot Machines, and Watling Slot Machines.

These slot machines are highly collectible, and much sought after by collectors. An extremely rare, original 1935 Watling nickel slot machine recently sold for over $5,000! Of course there are many good bargains still to be had, so please check out the items available today!

Mills Slot Machine

2008-04-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of adding a slot machine to our game room, and while looking into it, I think I'm going to take a look at a vintage Mills Slot Machine. These antique slots have such a "real" feel to me...not like the computerized slots that the casinos all have now. For some reason, I just feel like the computer is programmed against me, while the old slot machines are not stacked against the player. Of course I know that this isn't true, but it's just how I feel!

Bestpokerauctions.com has a great page for slots. Here is a full listing of the categories available at bestpokerauctions.com

Poker Books

2008-04-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

The poker phenomenon is still building in the US and across the world, and poker books have become a must have for the serious poker player. A poker book is a wonderful gift for poker players of all abilities.

Our poker books page includes a great selection of the best poker books online. Titles include beginner books like "Poker for Dummies", and range all the way to highly advanced strategy guides. Many professional poker players have written books, including:

Doyle Brunson Poker Book
Phil Hellmuth Poker Book
Dan Harrington Poker Book
Phil Gordon Poker Book
Daniel Negreanu Poker Book

Be sure to check these out to improve your poker game!

New Poker Auctions Site

2008-04-02T13:48:00.001-07:00

There's a new poker auctions site - bestpokerauctions.com - be sure to check this site out for all of your poker supplies. You'll find great bargains, and some very cheap pricing on all types of poker gear, including clay poker chips.

The site is new, and is growing everyday, so be sure to come back and see what's new!

Raiderwiz is Another Year Older

2008-03-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I recently had my 34th birthday. I always have to do the math to figure out how old I am! It was a fairly uneventful birthday. I made some custom poker chips in the morning, then went to my in-laws house where we had some shrimp coctail and breaded shrimp. I guess it was shrimp day!

Later I went to Black Oak Casino with my wife. We took turns watching each other gamble...that way the money stretches out a little longer! I was up a little on Blackjack, but made my donation on the slots quickly. It was a nice evening out, and we headed back after leaving some money to help support the casino!

New Poker Trophies on the Way

2008-03-14T14:51:00.001-07:00

We just returned from the annual trophy convention in Las Vegas, and we've got some new and exciting poker trophies on the way!

Many people ask us for the most flashy or gawdy trophy for their poker tournaments - well we've got the flashiest of them all coming in the next few days. It's a poker trophy that actually has a flashing column!

Also, for the high end poker tournaments, we have some amazing crystal trophies on the way, which will feature full color printing right on the crystal.

Be sure to check out ABC Gifts and Awards for updates!

New Poker Chip Websites

2008-02-06T17:24:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to add two new websites for poker chips. You can find great custom poker chips and personalized poker chips here!

My Links to Poker Stuff

2008-02-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

Today I have created a linkscout page to start adding our links to. You will be able to find links to our personalized gifts and awards, including poker trophies and custom poker chips! Check out the ABC Gifts and Awards Links today!

New Poker Trophies Websites

2008-02-05T16:04:00.001-08:00

There are a few new websites for poker trophies, be sure to check them out!

Poker Trophies from poker-trophies.com

Poker Trophies from poker-trophies.info

Poker Trophy Awards from poker-trophies.net

Poker Tournament Trophies from poker-trophies.org

Be sure to take a look for the finest selection of poker trophies and awards!

New ABC Gifts and Awards Google Group

2008-02-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Today I created a google group for ABC Gifts and Awards

The google group will be a place for announcements, new product news, and special discounts, so be sure to bookmark the page!

Poker Trophies Webpage

2008-02-02T09:40:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking of redoing our poker trophies webpage to be easier to navigate. Right now it's set up as links all from one page, linking to poker trophy sets, individual poker trophies, and the championship poker trophy page. Oh yeah...and the loser trophies! I've also been considering creating new websites that are more specific for poker instead of the overall gifts and awards. Of course, to do any of these I'd need a lot of time, which isn't something I have any extra of. We'll see what happens...hopefully I'll get a chance to make some really nice improvements!

My Little Monkey

2008-01-31T15:14:00.001-08:00

Tonight my 6 year old son, Christopher, is having a "concert" at his school. All of the 1st grade classes are together for some sort of singing concert. He keeps saying that he doesn't know what they are going to do...I am guessing that the teacher has told them not to tell anyone what they are going to do! All I know is that he has to be dressed in brown, and that they are going to be monkeys! Should be very interesting. :)

300!

2008-01-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last night I almost didn't make it to my bowling league...I was trying to finish up an order of custom poker chips before leaving work. Well...I got to the bowling alley in time for 2 practice balls with a brand new Roto Grip Pluto bowling ball. I went on to bowl a 300 game the very first game with the ball! I was going back and forth between bowling, and eating dinner at the table a couple lanes away because all the closer tables were full. I had a sourdough burger and onion rings (burger eaten with a fork to keep from getting my hands messy!)...that might be my new tradition!

Raiders in Blunderland

2008-01-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the latest news with the Raiders...well, I guess I can. Supposedly, Al Davis has sent a letter of resignation to Lane Kiffin for him to sign. Davis wants Kiffin to resign so he doesn't have to pay the balance of his contract. This is just one more rediculous happening in Raiderland.

I can't see why anyone in their right mind would want to take the Raiders head coaching job. Of course that's why we got Lane Kiffin in the first place. He wasn't exactly high on anyone's list to become an NFL head coach...wait...he wasn't on anyone's list at all! Basically the reason he became the Raiders head coach was because nobody else would take the job. Once Al gets rid of Kiffin, who in the world would take the job?

Ok...so I do have the answer...me! Al...call me, email me, whatever. I'll take the job...a one year contract for a million bucks. That way you don't have to get stuck with a long term commitment, but I'm sure you'll want to renew the contract after I take the team to the Superbowl!

More Custom Poker Chips

2008-01-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

It's been a huge month for our custom poker chips. It seems that there are quite a few Superbowl poker parties this year. Maybe that's going to be a new tradition - the Superbowl Poker Tournament. Quite a few people have ordered personalized poker chips for tournaments, and of course, championship poker trophies as well!

Day 2...

2008-01-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this will be a short post as I'm backed up like crazy with making custom poker chips. For some reason this month has been extremely busy. Hopefully I can get back here tomorrow for an update. My wife is out of town so I have to pick up the kids too!

My Very First Blog

2008-01-17T16:18:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone-

I'm Raider Wiz, and this is my first ever blog. I'm a huge Oakland
Raiders fan, thus the name. I am a season ticket holder, and formally
dressed up as the "GraduRaider" at the home games. My costume was a skull
mask with a cap and gown, and a foam axe with a plastic stick. After 9/11,
the Coliseum banned my axe because of the plastic stick. I still see lots
of people bring items with much more potential to hurt others...I'm not sure how my foam axe could be a weapon.

I love to go bowling, as do my two sons. My wife doesn't care much for
bowling, but she goes and watches the kids. If she ever comes to watch me,
she's always giving tips on what I should do to bowl better!

I run my own business, making personalized poker chips and poker
trophies. It keeps me quite busy, as poker is really popular.
Speaking of being busy, I better end this first blog and get back to work!

-Raider Wiz