Chip Denominations and Quantity?

Hi all,

I'm going to put together my own set of chips. I ordered a few chips from a few different sets, and I've decided on one set that I really like.

Aside from your standard "poker night," I'd also like to organize a multi-table tournament twice a year. I'm pretty sure I could fill two tables of nine players or three tables of just under that. I think I've got my chip denominations and quantity figured out, but I thought I'd ask for an opinion anyway:

300 x White $1
200 x Red $5
200 x Blue $10
125 x Green $25
125 x Orange $50
125 x Black $100
50 x Yellow $250
50 x Purple $500
25 x Pink $1,000

Suggestions?

Is this strictly a tourney set? If so you won't need the $1 or $5 chips.

I'd eliminate the $10 (just use 2 reds), $50, $250, and the $1000 chips from the lineup. What starting stacks do you want to use? Blind levels?

I have helped run a MTT with up to 9 tables and trust me the fewer color chips you use the better off you are. Try to plan your blinds to have 3, no more than 4, colors in play at any given time.

If you want a cash set as well I'd recommend getting an entirely different set or at least not using the same denoms in both the tourney and cash games. Wouldn't want a $25 tourney chip finding it's way on to the cash table!

For more on chips (lots more) check out chiptalk.net for great ideas for blind schedules and running your tourney try homepokertourney.com.

Oh yeah and welcome to CardsChat!

So, splitting up the "poker night" set and the "multi-table set" is probably a better idea, then? I didn't actually think of that. It sounds like it would work out better and be less confusing.

As for the blinds, I still have to do a bit more research. I'll probably end up back here looking for more help sooner or later.


Thanks for the links and the advice!

No problem.

The more you plan out now the better off you'll be then. Plus having multiple sets of chips rocks. Wives/gf don't understand but the more chips you have the better off you are!

Of course, my favorite set of chips in the samples I ordered are the most expensive. Figures! Maybe I'll use that for the cash games and the cheaper chips for tourneys.

I've yet to host an actual poker game myself. I'd love to get some experience of hosting a few actual games before I host a multi-table tournament (though the tourney will involve friends who I think will be understanding if there's a few bumps in the road). However, I want to make sure I understand what I'm doing so people look forward to the event and possibly bring a few more folks with them in the process. I think it would be a great time.

What kind of blinds work best? I'm going to check out a few of the sites you posted and see if I can pick up on which will work. There's so many variants!

Which chips are you thinking about? How much are you looking to spend? Have you considered a custom chip design?

My best advice is don't rush into a chip purchase without doing all your homework beforehand. Chips are expensive (well good ones are anyway) and getting exactly the right number and denoms for the games you want to host can save you some money down the road.

Here is a pic of the custom ceramics I had done last year:


I paid $50 to have a graphic artist do the design and .25/chip to have them made. I had the $20 rerun because the colors were too close and the state outline was lost in the one pictured. The company I used did this for free because they were supposed to proof them and didn't.

I'd definitely get rid of the 10's, 50's, and 250's

edit: yeah basically what WVH said

Wow -- those look great! Who'd you go through? I ordered samples of four different sets and had them hot-stamped:



Tri-color Ace-King suited, 14 gram chips. This is one of my favorites. There's a number of different colors available. I think it would be ideal for tournament set-ups.

Funny you should say that: those are actually my favorite chips in the set.




Tri-color suited, 11.5 grams. This is another favorite set, but it's only available in five colors. This is probably the set I'd use for single-table games.

I ordered the hot-stamping for each set. The website I went through allowed you to customize how much each chip denomination is. I'm happy with their appearance, but I'm always on the lookout for new types until I finally decide.

OK, check out chiptalk.net.

All the chips you posted are what's known as slugged ABS (plastic) chips. They're all basically the same, a plastic coating over a metal slug for weight. They vary in actual cost but are generally the cheapest. Generally this is what a lot of people end up with because they are available everywhere and they are relatively inexpensive. They do have some downside because they don't stack very well (they're slippery) and they have a distinct metal clack when shuffled / splashed. The color on these chip is molded throughout the plastic. Outside of a few high end ($1+/chip) ABS chips these are generally not use in casinos.

Another type of chip are what's known as ceramic (even though they are made from injection molded plastic). These chips (like mine above) do not have a metal insert and generally weigh in at about 10g (what most casino chips actually weigh contrary to the ad hype on most "official weight 11g chips"). They can be printed from edge to edge (and even printed on the rolling edge) and can generally have any type of art you want. They do not have the metal sound of ABS chips but don't have the same dull thud of clay chips (it's kind of in between). Some high end ceramics ($1+/chip), mainly Chipcos, are used in casinos.

Clay chips are the 3rd basic type, even though once again they are now made from plastic (again different from that used in either of the above types). They are not printed on directly and feature a permenant label applied to each chips center. True clay chips are always expensive ($1+/chip) and are generally the chips used in casinos. Paulsson chips are the industry standard for clays but complanies like Blue Chip and ASM offer the home game player willing to spend the cash on clays the best bang for the buck.

If you really prefer the hotstamp look generally that is only available on some ABS chips and most clay chips.

As for my chips they were printed by Sunfly on Sunfly blanks and ordered through Palm Imports.

If you PM me your mailing address I will send you out a sample set of my chips to see how you like them compared to the samples you already have.

So are certain kinds "better" than others, or is it based on personal preference?

Well they're all just replacements for cash on the table and in that regard they all work exactly the same, so it just comes down to what you want an what you're willing to spend.

Update: I played in my first multi-table tournament yesterday. I didn't run it myself; it was a charity event.

It was a great experience, partly because the "lesser denominations" ideal definitely makes a lot more sense now.

Good the hear. Have you decided on the right chips for you yet?

My girlfriend bought a set of Harley chips for me. They should get in tomorrow. There's enough to run a single-game tourney, so I'll have to get a second set for multi-game.

As an update: my girlfriend brought me a set of 200 Harley-Davidson "flame" style poker chips. They look great!

Obviously, I can't hold a multi-table tournament with this set, but I'm pretty sure I can have a small-stack poker night with them. I just have to find some good suggestions on how to do that.

How many and what's the breakdown? Got any pics?

I don't have a picture (as we're in the process of moving and the apartment's a mess), but here's a link to the set. There are $1, $5, $25, and $100 chips, and 50 chips per denomination.

I liked the chips I mail-ordered and showed pictures of above, but I don't think I like how the hotstamping turned out. It doesn't really "fit" the chip's appearance. For now, a few friends and I have enough of the standard "dice" chip sets in order to get a multi-table tournament going. I'd like to get a good set eventually, though.

there are some great sites out there which cover every aspect of hosting home games - including rules, chips and even snacks!!! Just google it the info is out there! I would tell you the sites but they are on my other PC - good luck