TOPIC: Best way to organize one's tokens

Okay ... I've got tokens ... lots of tokens ... about 500 of them ... okay that's not a lot compared to some ... but I'm trying to figure out the best way to organize them ... how do you do it?  <br /><br />I'm thinking about having one binder for each of the following:<br />- tokens I won't let go of; tokens thru the generation (e.g. leather armor from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd etc sets) <br />- tokens which are for characters to use (but how do I organize those rare tokens like potions of death's door which I only have one of?)<br />- tokens which are duplicates ... the ones you could just trade for whatever ... <br /><br />Any suggestions?  Do others also spend hours and hours organizing and reorganizing their tokens?  Also, how do you deal with the bad dreams - I often dream that I forget to bring my tokens to GenCon ... put the tokens on the bedside table?

Binders are hard for me to use - they take up tons of room and they just don't look right to my eyes.<br /><br />I use a single binder for dungeon runs only.  And I use (2-3) 2006 Token Totes for critical items I need in the dungeon.<br /><br />I like poker chip cases for storage and sorting.<br /><br />

I use plastic cases with plastic dividers I get from Lowes to sort my tokens, it works really well for me. 

I have about 7 or 8 different dice bags that I have them sorted into.<br />But when it comes close to con time, I reorganize them all again.

oh yes and I will be using at least 3 2008 Token Totes for burners such as 1 point heals and Sling bullets and maybe Thunderstones!

As someone who manages a team of 8 players I have a multi-tier organizational approach.<br /><br />Upon receipt of tokens I sort them into stacks of tokens.<br />Then I pull out binders that I have my team profiles in token sheets (like sold on the TD website) and see if there are items I wish to upgrade or replace with new tokens.<br />Then I take all the consumables and put them in the "restock" tackle box holder, which is taken to GenCon to restock items used between runs.<br />Anything left is set asside for trading.<br />I use large tackle box sleeves to hold any tokens not even worthy of mentioning (non-plat commons), sorted into the box.<br />As time gets closer to GenCon, I pull out the gear that the players are going to use and load them into whatever device I am cooking up for that year as the token display and seal it (so far the toploader is ahead for each of deployment).<br />Non Healing Consumables are then placed in a seperate transparent pencil holder bag (see staples if you want one) that is worn like a satchel (crossed over the shoulder).<br />Lastly healing/anti-toxins are placed in a cloth bag.<br /><br />So at run time, I can quickly deploy the gear to each player, their non-healing consumables in a token satchel, and a bag of healing.  Weapons and ammo are placed in pocket A.  Rumors are also kept at hand easily to be used in the tavern.  Healing enters pocket B. Team enters tavern, empty binders are stored in coat check.<br /><br />Afterwards, consumables are restocked from the restock case, treasure is examined for any possible upgrades. Wash rinse repeat.<br /><br />After GenCon, restore the binders to sorted state.  Resume trading.<br /><br />At least thats how we plan to do it this year.<br /><br />Last year we tried to take in a zippable binder filled with sheets of token holders.  It was a disaster as taped down sections were wrestled with, and loose tokens tipped out when someone accidently held the book the wrong way.<br />Definately not using those except for organziational purposes between GenCons.<br /><br />Good luck in finding a system that works for you.<br />Greyseer

Good point - a zipper binder will work great for one person who knows which end is up...and does not panic or flip pages carelessly.<br /><br />So the point of all these posts I think can be summed up best as - go with what works best for you.

First... You need a couple slaves.  A 15yr old son and a 10yr old daughter work really well.<br /><br />Second... Lots of ziploc baggies.<br /><br />Third... Have the slaves organize by type, then specific.  e.g.  Scrolls-Red, Scrolls-Green, Scrolls-Black<br /><br />Fourth... Have the slaves take one of each specific token which you then put into the binder for your collection.<br /><br />Fifth... Have slaves tell you which specific ones you have left and the amount.  Input those into a simple database(or if you're lazy like me, just a simple word page).  If you're really into it, you can organize by production run(I don't because it's too much of a pita)<br /><br />Sixth... Put the extras into the ziplock baggies for trade/use.<br /><br />Seventh... Have a smoke and a drink while waiting for the slaves to get it right.  Don't forget to yell at them on occasion.<br /><br />Eighth... Reward the slaves for a job well done by taking them to a movie and letting the 15yr old get some driving time on his learners permit.<br /><br />Ninth... When done, decide which ones you'll be using for your character/group and remove those from your collection/baggies and put in separate baggies for the characters.  Don't forget to remove them from the database/page totals.<br /><br />Tenth... If you can find someone with an extra one of those hangars they let us use a couple years ago, those are perfect for the runs.  They're the tri-folded plastic carriers with the string for hanging around the neck.  They're great for the items you're not going to change out.  The one-shot items like bolts, arrows, potions, scrolls, etc., you put into individual sacks of one kind or another and secretee them about your body for the run.<br /><br />Eleventh... DO NOT EVER let your organized tokens become disorganized or your slaves will rebel.

A big shoebox, circle garage sale stickers, and two-dozen poker chip storage tubes. <br /><br />Poker chip storage tubes – best price I could find.<br /> www.discountcasinogear.com/store/product3800.html

.30 per 25 stored...<br /><br />4000 tokens / 25 = 160 X .3 = $48  Not bad considering I paid $80 for the 4 cases I use to hold the 4000.  <br /><br />But for anyone with over/around 1000 tokens a single case with CLOUT tokens used as dividers is pretty cool and $20.

Thanks to everybody for sharing their techniques ... I was hoping it would be a less labor intensive process (as unfortunately, I do not have slaves readily at hand) ... it sounds like there are two issues that most people addressed: getting the tokens organized and then keeping them secure ... I hadn't even thought about the second issue ... <br /><br />I have a bunch of plastic sheets and tokens do tend to slip out of them, especially the top row ... I organize tokens for a group of 8 players too - and it's impossible to keep track of everything and I know people groan about dropping them all the time ... and pockets just don't work (partly becoz I'm usually in costume and don't have pockets) but even when I wear jeans, in the heat of the moment in the dungeon, I tend to stuff whatever into whichever pocket ...

You guys are making a case for the 2006 Token Totes to make a come back...either that or I try and find a way to mass produce Widseth's Tote design!