Hi there, I have studied poker for about a year now and have absorbed quite a lot of knowledge or so I think I have been playing online for many years and right before Covid I started to get into live games..Well the games went by no problem except one detail I just can’t seem to figure out why I am struggling with and that is fast chip counting..What are tricks to knowing how much to call by the time I gets to you? Are you counting the total as the raises are added to the pot? It seems like a silly question but was finding myself spending incredibly way too much time trying to keep up with chip counts than to be productive studying other players tells etc.

A question that seems very basic but in a live game I am actually struggling with and would love to streamline the process so I can use mind energy elsewhere.

Thanks!

Do your live games have a dealer or is this a home game with everyone taking turns dealing.

If you are not sure about the size of the call, just announce 'Call', then put in a low estimate of the number of chips. The dealer or other players will quickly remind you that your call is short.

Originally Posted by Herkstwin

Do your live games have a dealer or is this a home game with everyone taking turns dealing.

If you are not sure about the size of the call, just announce 'Call', then put in a low estimate of the number of chips. The dealer or other players will quickly remind you that your call is short.

That’s a good tip..I suppose I just kept finding myself the only one needing a chip count at the table and nobody else was having issues...Im wondering if over time I will just count on the corner of my eye each time like second nature. Ideally I want to spend my time studying players only..I think once I memorize chip colors better at the house I will be able to add them up much faster. So far having a chip count for me is only downside to not playing online vs live lol

Originally Posted by Pokerstudy

That’s a good tip..I suppose I just kept finding myself the only one needing a chip count at the table and nobody else was having issues...Im wondering if over time I will just count on the corner of my eye each time like second nature. Ideally I want to spend my time studying players only..I think once I memorize chip colors better at the house I will be able to add them up much faster. So far having a chip count for me is only downside to not playing online vs live lol

When I play live, it is only in cash games, not tournaments. I am colourblind and cannot figure out the size of the bet when someone says, 'Raise' and just throws a bunch of coloured chips into the hand without stating the exact amount. Like you, I do not want to be distracted by this handicap while focusing on the game.

In the not so many times when i have played live in casino players almost always said how much they rise. Let's say that big blind is 500 so next players says rise to 2000 so he effectively pays 500 and adds 1500 more on top. If player do not announce the raise amount the dealer says it so you always know how much is to you when your turn comes. If you have missed there is nothing wrong to ask the dealer directly.