Cash Game Optimal structure for 50c/$1 NL game (1 Viewer)

[enderv]

Hi all, new to PCF and could use some advice! I've done a search through the forums to find ideas for chip breakdown for a 50c/$1 game but no real luck doing so. Only see advice for 25c/$1.

I play in a semi-regular group usually involving between 7-9 people and we've been playing with crappy non-denomination chips for a while and I thought of getting good ones with denominations recently to improve the playing experience. We're in Singapore so we don't use dimes/quarters here, our real coin values are 10c - 20c - 50c, and in poker our preferred lowest denomination is 50c so our usual blinds are 50c/$1 or at most $1/$1 - with $100 buy ins, same for re-buys.

What would everyone recommend I get if I was looking at a 500 chip set? I was considering Milanos from Apache BUT I found a local guy selling his WTHC set (600 chips for about US$900) and my hands are getting really itchy...

IF I stick to Milanos (which after int' shipping is 1/3 the price of the WTHCs), I am probably getting 500 chips of 50c-$1-$5-$25. I'm not sure what the breakdown of the 4 denominations should be however. Can anyone help?

If I buy the WTHC set ,I'll be getting 180 x $1, 180 x $5, 220 x $25, 20 x $100. I assume for this set I'm better off playing $1/$1 games? Based on some prices I've seen in the classifieds I get that WTHC are very pricey, and at this local price I'm seeing I'm tempted to just pull the trigger.

Would love to hear some thoughts. Cheers all

 

[mummel]

I have the Milanos. For when I eventually have my $100 buy-in nights, Im going $1/$1 blinds and rolling 20 X $1 + 16 X $5 starting stacks. Rebuys will be 4 X $25. This to me seems optimal for my $1/$1 amateur home poker game. The 50c chip would complicate things no? Everyone here says 2, max 3 denoms on the table at one time. I would fully agree.

And dont forget:

 

[Pokerdweebz]

Play $1/$1. No need to get $.50 chips. 100 x $1 - 300 x $5 - 80 x $25 - 20 x $100
Someone else probably has a better breakdown, but that would work fine.

That WTHC set is a fine breakdown as well

 

[Psypher1000]

1) If starting at $.50/$1, then I'd start at 600 instead of 500 and go with...

100x fracs
200x $1
200x $5
80x $20/$25
20x $100


2) I agree w/what @Pokerdweebz said above - just toss in the extra $.50 each hand and forego the fracs, if your players will have it. I generally cringe at $.50 chips because of their lack of utility and their opportunity cost, and for most people an extra $.50 every orbit won't make much of a noticeable impact on their bankroll. Such a change would lead to...

100x $1
300x $5 +100 of your preferred mix of $1's and $5's
80x $25
20x $100


3) If there's any chance your game will grow to $1/$2, get more $5's.

 

[Psypher1000]

If I buy the WTHC set ,I'll be getting 180 x $1, 180 x $5, 220 x $25, 20 x $100. I assume for this set I'm better off playing $1/$1 games?

By my count, that's 680 WTH&C's for $900 in playable quantities. That's a snap call in today's market. You're correct that the set is far more suited to play $1/$1 games.

 

[DrStrange]

You could also play smaller and have a single $1 blind rather than a $0.50 / $1.00 blind structure.

 

[enderv]

Thank you all for your suggestions! It appears the best option is to buy the WTHCs... I suspect it's not going to stop with just those chips however!

@Psypher1000 if I follow your recommendation to forgo the 50c and use your breakdown, I'll probably have to buy more WTHC $1 and $5 chips yes? This guy has 180x$1 and 180x$5 so its neither here nor there to be honest.

If I go $1/$1 blinds then will it be better to run with:?
200 x $1
200 x $5
80 x $25
20 x $100


@DrStrange thats worth a shot and I'll probably suggest that at our next game. kinda weird to play with just 1 blind however haha


In general what kind of bank should I aim for with 500 chips for a $1/$1 game? Cause I see suggestions for 300 x $5 which makes a $500 difference compared to having 200 x $5 (my ideal)


===edited===
On a separate note, I just found another sale in Singapore for Protege chips, going at about usd$1 a chip.

188 x $1
199 x $5
113 x $25
75 x $100
99 x no denom

Not much difference to the WTHCs breakdown except almost half the number of $25 chips and obviously this set is cheaper. Any fans of proteges here? I've done some forum searching and I get they're a forum favourite...

 

[mummel]

You have enough $1s (180 chips needed) and $5s (144 chips needed) to easily support a 9 player, $100 buy in game, with $1/$1 blinds, with unlimited $25 X 4 rebuys (will probably only need 40 $25s max). The rest of the chips look like they will go unused unless you really ramp up your buy-ins ($200) and blinds ($1/$2).

 

[Psypher1000]

if I follow your recommendation to forgo the 50c and use your breakdown, I'll probably have to buy more WTHC $1 and $5 chips yes?

Not necessarily more $1's, but definitely more $5's. My recommendation to buy that set isn't strictly limited to actually using it, though. You could buy the set and sell it for a reasonable profit, even if you ate the international shipping or otherwise gave a substantial credit for it, and then buy the set you really want. Or you could keep it and simply sell/trade some of the extra $25's to get more $5's, although that may take a bit of patience.

If I go $1/$1 blinds then will it be better to run with:?
200 x $1
200 x $5
80 x $25
20 x $100

If you're firm on sticking to only 500 chips and playing 1/1, I'd probably go with something like 160x $1 and 240x $5.

On a separate note, I just found another sale in Singapore for Protege chips, going at about usd$1 a chip.

188 x $1
199 x $5
113 x $25
75 x $100
99 x no denom

That's a solid buy at $1/chip. After having received samples of them I'm not a super huge fan of them. They're plenty nice, but I think the WTHC's are twice as nice. YMMV. Regardless, I'd encourage you to buy both sets, choose one, and sell the other. You shouldn't lose money on either, but more than likely would turn a profit (on the set you sold).

 

[enderv]

Not necessarily more $1's, but definitely more $5's. My recommendation to buy that set isn't strictly limited to actually using it, though. You could buy the set and sell it for a reasonable profit, even if you ate the international shipping or otherwise gave a substantial credit for it, and then buy the set you really want. Or you could keep it and simply sell/trade some of the extra $25's to get more $5's, although that may take a bit of patience.

If you're firm on sticking to only 500 chips and playing 1/1, I'd probably go with something like 160x $1 and 240x $5.

That's a solid buy at $1/chip. After having received samples of them I'm not a super huge fan of them. They're plenty nice, but I think the WTHC's are twice as nice. YMMV. Regardless, I'd encourage you to buy both sets, choose one, and sell the other. You shouldn't lose money on either, but more than likely would turn a profit (on the set you sold).

Appreciate the advice! I'll probably get the WTHCs since they should suffice for a 9 player game like mummel said.

Thanks all, I may just pop up in the classifieds in the future haha

 

[mummel]

Appreciate the advice! I'll probably get the WTHCs since they should suffice for a 9 player game like mummel said.

Thanks all, I may just pop up in the classifieds in the future haha

I would keep the chips you need and sell the excess. You'll end up with a solid TH&C cash set for a great price.

 

[enderv]

Yeap, although looking at how expensive WTHCs are i might just keep them all!

Now I have to think about how to break it to the missus...

 

[courage]

I would keep the chips you need and sell the excess. You'll end up with a solid TH&C cash set for a great price.

Excess?

OR keep them all and don't hamstring yourself and your game.

I'd play $1/1 with that set, make your buy-in max $200. Your bank may still be short in a lively game. A $120 buy-in works well, a barrel of each.