Poker chip collector shorthand: THC, 3d14, 8v, T25, fracs, primary and secondary
A trade post such as "wanted: leaded THC 3d14 $5s, any 8v hot stamps" is unreadable to a newcomer. This glossary separates terms that appear in reference sources from those that are only forum shorthand, because guessing at definitions leads to wrong purchases.
In this guide
Terms that can be verified
| Term | Meaning | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| THC | Top Hat and Cane, the hat-and-cane rim mold | Forum members' consistent usage; see the Paulson article1 |
| SCV, LCV | Short Cane Version and Long Cane Version of the THC mold | Forum explanations2 |
| RHC, IHC | Reverse and Inverted Hat and Cane molds | Forum explanations2 |
| Base color | Main body color of the chip | CCA glossary3 |
| Inserts, edge spots | Colored pieces set into the body, not removable by scratching | CCA glossary3 |
| Mold | Pattern imprinted on both faces, usually around the inlay | CCA glossary3 |
| Inlay | Center element with logo and denomination | CCA glossary3 |
| Hot stamp | Foil or ink design heat-pressed into the surface | CCA glossary3 |
| Dovetail, brass-core | Two clay pieces joined; plastic over a metal core | CCA glossary3 |
| Snapper | A $2.50 chip | CCA glossary3 |
| LE | Limited edition: must show "LTD" or "Limited" and production numbers | CCA glossary3 |
| Primary / secondary | Secondary chips are held in case primaries are compromised, with different edge spots | Forum member's explanation4 |
| Casino used | Chips that have circulated, with wear from "square and textured" to smooth | Forum member's explanation4 |
| Murdered chip | One whose original inlay or hot stamp has been removed, usually to relabel it | Forum members5 |
| JUB | "Just used blanks": unmarked originals | Forum member in a relabel thread6 |
| T25, T100, T1000 | Tournament denominations, where the number is a point value | Forum threads6 7 |
A barrel conventionally contains 20 chips and a rack 100 chips, as explained by chip dealer Apache Poker Chips.8 Confirm the actual count in a listing, especially for partial racks or mixed lots.
Fractionals, "fracs" and quarters
"Fractional" chips are those worth less than a dollar, typically 10, 25 or 50 cents. "Fracs" is the shortened form. The fractional article covers them.
3d14
3D14 is an edge-spot pattern, separate from the chip's rim mold. In the Poker Chip Forum's firsthand discussion matching spot names to numbered Paulson styles, collectors list 3D14 beside style 15.9 A wanted request for "leaded THC 3D14" therefore combines a claimed material history, a rim mold and a spot pattern.10 Ask for a matching photograph; the spot code alone does not establish maker, age or composition.
8v
8V is also an edge-spot pattern. The same collector reference maps 8V to style 20.9 It is not another name for SCV or LCV, which describe rim-mold variants. Compare the arrangement on the face and edge with the reference photograph rather than interpreting a listing code as a complete chip identity.
"Relabel" and "house mold"
A relabel is a chip whose original marking has been milled off and replaced with a new label. A house mold, in forum usage, is a mold associated with one casino's chips. The cash versus tournament article covers relabels, and the how-chips-are-made article covers molds.
How to ask without causing confusion
- Say what you mean: "Paulson THC, hot stamp, unleaded, $5".
- Ask for weight in grams, a photo of both faces and the edge, and condition using the club's grade words (see the grading article).
- If a code is not in a reference, ask the person who used it to define it in the thread.
Translate a wanted post into separate requirements
A clear chip description has several independent parts: maker, rim mold, edge-spot pattern, center decoration, denomination, condition and quantity. Do not compress them into one presumed model name. Keeping a photograph beside the description also helps when two collectors use different shorthand for the same feature.
For example, rewrite a short request as: 'Looking for original Paulson THC $5 chips matching this edge pattern, with a readable hot stamp; quantity and acceptable wear shown below.' If lead content is part of the request, identify the source issue and the basis for that attribution rather than treating the abbreviation as proof.
| Phrase in a listing | Follow-up that prevents confusion |
|---|---|
| A rack of chips | What is the exact chip count? |
| Primary or secondary | Which pictured design do you mean? |
| T25 set | Is T25 the lowest denomination, and what are the quantities? |
| Original inlay | Has the center ever been replaced or covered? |
| Same spot pattern | Can you provide a face and edge photograph? |
Search abbreviations and expanded names separately
Try the full phrase as well as the code: Top Hat and Cane hot stamp, Paulson THC, tournament T25 chips and 25 cent fractional chips. Save the query that produces a matching reference. Acronyms are useful shortcuts once an object has been identified; they are much less useful as the only evidence for what it is.
Sources and further reading
- School me on THC chips for a set, Poker Chip Forum: THC meaning.
- Paulson Molds: RHC, SCV, LCV, what are these abbreviations?, Poker Chip Forum: mold abbreviations.
- Chip terms FAQ, Casino Collectibles Association: glossary definitions.
- Some General Terminology Questions, Poker Chip Forum: primary, secondary and casino-used.
- Murdered chip meaning, Poker Chip Forum: members' definition.
- THC Solids Chip Set: Tourney or Cash? Re-Label?, Poker Chip Forum: JUB and tournament denominations.
- Why different denoms for tournaments?, Poker Chip Forum: member explanations.
- Barrels and racks, Apache Poker Chips: dealer explanation of a 20-chip barrel and 100-chip rack.
- Name that spot, Poker Chip Forum: firsthand collector discussion mapping edge-spot names to numbered styles, including 3D14 and 8V.
- Found: 2 racks of a leaded 3d14 chip, Poker Chip Forum: wanted-thread use of 3d14.