The Beginners Guide To Mapping Out A Cash Game Chip Set - 5c/10c to $5/$10 (6 Viewers)

it's true, when I came here I was intending to just get like a 500 chip tina set from the group buy and get out, and only a couple months later I'm well over 2000 chips and the 500 chip set of ceramics I ordered hasn't even come in yet..
 
it's true, when I came here I was intending to just get like a 500 chip tina set from the group buy and get out, and only a couple months later I'm well over 2000 chips and the 500 chip set of ceramics I ordered hasn't even come in yet..
how long from ordering does it take to receive them?! You ordered through Justin at Broken Arrow?
 
I ordered in the group buy that closed at the beginning of July. It takes about two months or so for them to make it to Justin on the boat and then he reships them once they come in so I expect to get them probably middle of September. Folks who paid extra to have theirs air shipped in the same group buy are starting to get them it looks like. So all told it seems like it's about 8-10 weeks or so from the date the group buy closes to them arriving but I'll definitely be dropping it in the mail thread when it does
 
I ordered in the group buy that closed at the beginning of July. It takes about two months or so for them to make it to Justin on the boat and then he reships them once they come in so I expect to get them probably middle of September. Folks who paid extra to have theirs air shipped in the same group buy are starting to get them it looks like. So all told it seems like it's about 8-10 weeks or so from the date the group buy closes to them arriving but I'll definitely be dropping it in the mail thread when it does
Agreed! I have ordered twice last year, and it took that long. Coming on a boat from China so takes a bit to get here. Air shipping is expensive. On the boat is worth the wait tho.
 
Looking to start a small cash game. Would this work for a 700 chip set with 10 players , .25c/.50c cash game , max buy-in $100?


  • $0.25 Chips: 100 chips = $25
  • $1 Chips: 275 chips = $275
  • $5 Chips: 200 chips = $1,000
  • $25 Chips: 100 chips = $2,500
  • $100 Chips: 25 chips = $2,500
Total Chips: 700 chips = $6,300 total value.
 
Looking to start a small cash game. Would this work for a 700 chip set with 10 players , .25c/.50c cash game , max buy-in $100?


  • $0.25 Chips: 100 chips = $25
  • $1 Chips: 275 chips = $275
  • $5 Chips: 200 chips = $1,000
  • $25 Chips: 100 chips = $2,500
  • $100 Chips: 25 chips = $2,500
Total Chips: 700 chips = $6,300 total value.
You don't need 275 $1s and you need more $5s. Especially if your buy-in is up to $100. The $5 chip is a workhorse at those stakes. Especially if you expect a decent number of rebuys.

If you're limited to 700 chips, I would do this:
  • $0.25 Chips: 100 chips = $25
  • $1 Chips: 200 chips = $200
  • $5 Chips: 300 chips = $1,500
  • $25 Chips: 80 chips = $2,000
  • $100 Chips: 20 chips = $2,000
Total Chips: 700 chips = $5,725 total value.

If you buy chips that must be bought in multiples of 25, then just change the $25/$100 chips to 75/25.
 
You don't need 275 $1s and you need more $5s. Especially if your buy-in is up to $100. The $5 chip is a workhorse at those stakes. Especially if you expect a decent number of rebuys.

If you're limited to 700 chips, I would do this:
  • $0.25 Chips: 100 chips = $25
  • $1 Chips: 200 chips = $200
  • $5 Chips: 300 chips = $1,500
  • $25 Chips: 80 chips = $2,000
  • $100 Chips: 20 chips = $2,000
Total Chips: 700 chips = $5,725 total value.

If you buy chips that must be bought in multiples of 25, then just change the $25/$100 chips to 75/25.
I agree with @TX_Golf_N_Poker. You don't need as many $1s as you do $5's for 25/50 $100 Max. A barrel of $1's and then the rest in $5's to make $100 (plus a barrel of $.25c chips to 5 of the players and one less $5 to those).
 
Looking to start a small cash game. Would this work for a 700 chip set with 10 players , .25c/.50c cash game , max buy-in $100?


  • $0.25 Chips: 100 chips = $25
  • $1 Chips: 275 chips = $275
  • $5 Chips: 200 chips = $1,000
  • $25 Chips: 100 chips = $2,500
  • $100 Chips: 25 chips = $2,500
Total Chips: 700 chips = $6,300 total value.
I think this will work pretty well. However I think you have way too many twenty-five here.

700 seems an unusual number for a set. But if that's what you have I would go like this.

100/300/250/50 of 25¢/1/5/25

That's a bank of $2825, or over 28 buy-ins which really should be plenty for 25¢-50¢ games

I don't at all agree that you have too many singles. The only reason you may want more fives is if you think you would get into 50¢-1 games.

But I personally prefer the single as the "workhorse" at this stake and 30 per player on average makes sense to me than trying to cut it to 20.
 
I think this will work pretty well. However I think you have way too many twenty-five here.

700 seems an unusual number for a set. But if that's what you have I would go like this.

100/300/250/50 of 25¢/1/5/25

That's a bank of $2825, or over 28 buy-ins which really should be plenty for 25¢-50¢ games

I don't at all agree that you have too many singles. The only reason you may want more fives is if you think you would get into 50¢-1 games.

But I personally prefer the single as the "workhorse" at this stake and 30 per player on average makes sense to me than trying to cut it to 20.
Depends on the players, some 25¢-50¢ games, the $1 is the workhorse, some the $5s are. But I agree with you at that stake I'd have 300 $1s, I'd just have 300 $5s as well, which blows the 700 max pretty quick.
 
Depends on the players, some 25¢-50¢ games, the $1 is the workhorse, some the $5s are. But I agree with you at that stake I'd have 300 $1s, I'd just have 300 $5s as well, which blows the 700 max pretty quick.
100/300/300 with $20 notes allowed on the table would work just fine.
 
Thanks for the info! This game sound super juicy...

My initial thought is that, for two tables of 5/5 of 5/10 or 5/10/20, a bank of $53k feels a little bit light, especially for PLO. There's a good thread here about a user looking to build a 5/5/10 w/ straddle PLO set, and the consensus across most posts (especially those near the end of the thread) was that a bank of $100k--$200k is more appropriate. As one user mentioned, "u never know who walks in or goes deep." (I also gave a breakdown suggestion there, but it's admittedly a bit light on $5s).

A few things to think about that will help with building out your set:
  • How many chips do you want each player to have in front of them? An efficient stack of 20-50 chips with few workhorse chips and then lots of higher denoms? Or something a bit beefier like 50-100+ with lots of workhorse chips? Here are two good threads with a ton of stack photos that you can use to see what you like/dislike:
  • How many re-buys will you see in a night? Re-buys are easily handled in higher denomination chips (25s and 100s for 1-1 to 2-5, and 100s, 500s, and 1000s for 5-5+).
    • If you expect to see more than a few re-buys per table, then you'll want to be heavier on the higher denomination chips.
  • Do you have a dedicated dealer?
    • If so, you'll want to make sure that whichever breakdown you select has enough chips to put necessary denominations/breakdowns into a dealer tray for easy change making and re-buys. You'll likely want to keep the 400 $1s for tips
  • How do you feel about plaques?
    • These could be added for the highest denominations ($1k, $5k, or $25k)
  • Are you set on 1840 chips, or are you open to increasing to 1900 or 2000?
  • Is there a minimum increment of chips you have to buy for each denomination?

Pending answers to all of those questions, here are some breakdowns that I like as starting points. Summary of changes to your proposed breakdown:
  • 800 $5s instead of 1,000 - Allows for more top-end, and still allows 2 barrels per person if playing 16 players
  • 400 $25 instead of 300 - More workhorse chips for 5/5 and 5/10. Also allows a nice round 200 $25s per table, or a little over a barrel per person
  • 200 $100s instead of 100 - Semi-workhorse chip in 5/10+ games. Also used to more easily accommodate re-buys in 5/5+ games. Similar to above, allows for a nice even rack per table
  • More $500+ denomination chips - Important for future proofing your games and ensuring that the bank never runs out. Depending on your player pool, who's to say someone won't get stuck $10k in a night? These breakdowns ensure you never have to worry about the bank.
Breakdown #1 (1,900 chips)
$1 - 400
$5 - 800
$25 - 400
$100 - 200
$500 - 50
$1,000 - 50
TOTAL: $109,400

OR
Breakdown #2 (1,900 chips)
$1 - 400
$5 - 800
$25 - 400
$100 - 200
$500 - 50
$1,000 - 40
$5,000 - 5
$25,000 - 5
TOTAL: $249,400

And for 2,000 chip breakdowns, perhaps something like:
Breakdown #3 (2,000 chips)
$1 - 400
$5 - 800
$25 - 400
$100 - 200
$500 - 1000 <(catching a typo from over 4 yrs ago? Lol)
$1,000 - 80
$5,000 - 10
$25,000 - 10
TOTAL: $464,400


In order of complete personal preference, I think I like #3 the most for being a nice, round 2,000 chips while also being incredibly deep and future proofed. If you go with Breakdown #1, you can play around with the mix of $500s and $1ks to your liking. Could also do 80/20 or 75/25. If you go with Breakdown #2, you could also modify the $500/$1k/$5k/$25k mix to something like 25/60/10/5 to squeeze out even a bit more bank. Breakdown #1 is fine for 5/10, but may struggle a bit at 5/10+straddle or two simultaneous deep games.




For artwork, there are a number of designers around here that have produced some incredible work. People have also had good results with online services like Fiver.



Keep us posted and enjoy your journey!
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

I'm not opposed to having to get another 100 chips added to any of these but didn't think it was necessary.

Thanks for any advice!

***Oh...1st post for me!
Long time listener..1st time caller... ;-)
 
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

I'm not opposed to having to get another 100 chips added to any of these but didn't think it was necessary.

Thanks for any advice!

***Oh...1st post for me!
Long time listener..1st time caller... ;-)
Oh man, this is juicy. With this level of game you’re running, I hope you’re sparing a buy in or two for game security with some real nice chips :love:.I’d love for you to follow up in a separate thread with your set.

On first glance, the breakdown looks pretty good. The 25 is most likely the workhorse so it might be slightly better to go with the second breakdown. Either 300 or 350 workhorse chips/table is doable in either case.
 
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

I'm not opposed to having to get another 100 chips added to any of these but didn't think it was necessary.

Thanks for any advice!

***Oh...1st post for me!
Long time listener..1st time caller... ;-)
Welcome!

You play way above my stakes but I agree, I don't think you need nearly that many $5s, at 5/5 and 5/10 most bets are going to be $25+, the $5s are for blinds and a pretty color. 300 or 400 would probably do you fine. I think your instincts are correct about lowering the amount.

I can't speak to the breakdown higher than that because I can't fathom having the value of a house in my cash drawer, but there are definitely others here that could help.
 
Oh man, this is juicy. With this level of game you’re running, I hope you’re sparing a buy in or two for game security with some real nice chips :love:.I’d love for you to follow up in a separate thread with your set.

On first glance, the breakdown looks pretty good. The 25 is most likely the workhorse so it might be slightly better to go with the second breakdown. Either 300 or 350 workhorse chips/table is doable in either case.
Yes! I'll be happy to post and share once I get them.

Thanks for the advice...I think the 2nd breakdown is the way to go...bumps the 39mm chips in play to 60k too!
 
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

I'm not opposed to having to get another 100 chips added to any of these but didn't think it was necessary.

Thanks for any advice!

***Oh...1st post for me!
Long time listener..1st time caller... ;-)

Do you plan to take a rake? it will affect the amount of chips you need.
 
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

I'm not opposed to having to get another 100 chips added to any of these but didn't think it was necessary.

Thanks for any advice!

***Oh...1st post for me!
Long time listener..1st time caller... ;-)

Wow this sounds like a really big game.

But I would ask the same question @Machine asked and add even if you are not taking a rake, will you have dedicated dealers? Even at these stakes, tipping $1-$2 hand would be customary so I would get more singles to cover that. Or just in case you need to "slum" it with a 1-2 or 1-3 game at some point, getting 200-300 singles for that purpose would work.

I don't think I would get any $5000 chips at all until you get to the point where you think you would be hosting 25-50 blinds. At least you are getting customs, but small quantities of large denominated chips do pose some risk unless they are carefully secured. Getting one of these picked out of a bank is going to be an expensive mistake. Also the $5000 denom doesn't really swap that cleanly with any workhorse denominations. The $500 chip makes a lot of sense as a value store as it swaps perfectly with 20 * $25 chips, and the $1000 chip would be 40 * $25 which works as well. A $5000 denom would need two racks of $25 or half a rack of $100 to make change, and you really aren't getting high quantities of those chips anyway.

So for 2000 chips I might suggest something like the following:
300 * $1
600 * $5
600 * $25
300 * $100
160 * $500
40 * $1000
$168,300 if I did this right in my head. This is over 84 buy-ins of $2000 or over 4 buy-ins per player with two full tables.
 
I know this is beyond old...but I am also getting a custom set for 1 to 2 tables @ 5/5 and 5/10...mix of NLHE and PLO.

$1 will not be needed but will get 100 just in case or for folks who want one to collect.

How does this breakdown seem?

Breakdown (2,000 chips)
$1 - 100
$5 - 700
$25 - 600
$100 - 300
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $473,600

Other notes:
Since I'm making 43mm...this has to be a minimum order or 300 chips so I was getting 1700 of the other to make it an even 2000.

Since $5 is my lowest chip in play...should I lower that number and the $25 should be my "workhorse" chip?
Like 5 - 500
25 - 700
100 - 400

If truly playing these stakes and not playing Limit, I'd eliminate the $1 entirely. (If you decide to get a rack for souvenirs only then just keep it off the table.)

If you want 1000 chips per table, I'd do:
300x $5
300× $25
200× $100
100× $500
80× $1000
20× $5000
For bank of 263500 per table, or just over half-mil total
Even racks between your 39mm and 43mm
Over 50 buyins at $5000
 
This community is awesome! All great things to think about...
@Machine
No rake but we do like a bomb pot thing every hour that goes to covering rent/dealers/security/etc.

@JustinInMN
These guys are a special breed, no one is tipping $1 or $2 like at a casino. It's all $5 or $10 to the dealer...it's never asked for or encouraged...we all just do it...maybe they all had parents in the service industry like me growing up...(my mom was a waitress @ a Corky's in FL) lol

Oh, the 5K chips...or even the 1K chips will not be on site or in play...yet? If that one game gets into the 25/50 level or something then yeah.
Dedicated bank guy will be in another room with ALL chips in a safe. We have a security guy too...not that we have ever needed him to do anything.

I probably should of mentioned that this game has already been going on for a couple of years. I'm helping out with these customs for the game and also going from one to possibly two tables. Half of our regulars like playing $500 max. The other half want to play whole rounds of PLO bomb pots...do $20 straddles and buy in for 2K. Lol

@allforcharity
Yeah, no $1 chips will be on table at all or in play.

So, yeah...one table will be 5/5 $500 max with nobody rebuying more than one or two times.
The 2nd table will be 5/5/10 type game with craziness happening.

So based on everything I think I'm going with this...

$1 - 100 (not in play)

$5 - 600
$25 - 700
$100 - 400
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $485,500

I'm pretty sure I have to do 50 chip min. on 43mm from what I was reading but whatever...it'll be something to have just in case...I can't imagine the game getting to the point where everyone has more than 50k in front of them.

If we do, I'll install a bunch of cameras and livestream it for all of you! Lol
 
This community is awesome! All great things to think about...
@Machine
No rake but we do like a bomb pot thing every hour that goes to covering rent/dealers/security/etc.

@JustinInMN
These guys are a special breed, no one is tipping $1 or $2 like at a casino. It's all $5 or $10 to the dealer...it's never asked for or encouraged...we all just do it...maybe they all had parents in the service industry like me growing up...(my mom was a waitress @ a Corky's in FL) lol

Oh, the 5K chips...or even the 1K chips will not be on site or in play...yet? If that one game gets into the 25/50 level or something then yeah.
Dedicated bank guy will be in another room with ALL chips in a safe. We have a security guy too...not that we have ever needed him to do anything.

I probably should of mentioned that this game has already been going on for a couple of years. I'm helping out with these customs for the game and also going from one to possibly two tables. Half of our regulars like playing $500 max. The other half want to play whole rounds of PLO bomb pots...do $20 straddles and buy in for 2K. Lol

@allforcharity
Yeah, no $1 chips will be on table at all or in play.

So, yeah...one table will be 5/5 $500 max with nobody rebuying more than one or two times.
The 2nd table will be 5/5/10 type game with craziness happening.

So based on everything I think I'm going with this...

$1 - 100 (not in play)

$5 - 600
$25 - 700
$100 - 400
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100
$5,000 - 50
TOTAL: $485,500

I'm pretty sure I have to do 50 chip min. on 43mm from what I was reading but whatever...it'll be something to have just in case...I can't imagine the game getting to the point where everyone has more than 50k in front of them.

If we do, I'll install a bunch of cameras and livestream it for all of you! Lol
Mostly good, though I still question whether the $5000 chips do anything for you. Six denominations in play is way too much for cash and the only helpful use I could see would be to color up half a rack of $100s, which i don't think you assume will happen often given you are only ordering 400 for the set to cover 20 people.

If it's just for the grins then okay. Just make sure they stay secure. Otherwise I would reallocate those 50 chips to the $500 denom. That's the best chip for coloring up workhorse chips, and full racks are just plain nicer :)

So if you did
5*600
25*700
100*400
500*200
1000*100

You get a bank of 260,500. Still 130 buy-ins at 2k a piece. More than 6 buy-ins per player if you have 20 players
 
Mostly good, though I still question whether the $5000 chips do anything for you. Six denominations in play is way too much for cash and the only helpful use I could see would be to color up half a rack of $100s, which i don't think you assume will happen often given you are only ordering 400 for the set to cover 20 people.

If it's just for the grins then okay. Just make sure they stay secure. Otherwise I would reallocate those 50 chips to the $500 denom. That's the best chip for coloring up workhorse chips, and full racks are just plain nicer :)

So if you did
5*600
25*700
100*400
500*200
1000*100

You get a bank of 260,500. Still 130 buy-ins at 2k a piece. More than 6 buy-ins per player if you have 20 players
Ugh...you're right...but I'm gonna end up getting a rack of 5K cause I like the chip too much and I really have this feeling I'm going to have a use for them at some point in the future...
I do know some of the higher roller types from playing on HCL when it first started airing so yeah...having a 5k buy in game isn't too far fetched.

But I wouldn't even have them on site or in play until we got a bigger game going for sure.

And if it gets higher than that, @Machine ...plaques for sure!

It's a little wierd as these two games play a lot differently especially in the casinos where most everyone is used to.

The 5/5 @ Commerce generally plays only $5 and $100 oh and a few $1's of course for taking rake and tips and stuff.
Except at the Bike where they have $5 - $25 and $100 chips in play along with the $1.

The Commerce 5/10 game has $1-$25-$100 and $1000 in play...never see the $500 ever...and once in a blue moon...you may see a 5k chip (pink) but those are almost only in the $10/$20 uncapped game.

So now I feel I may have to get a few more racks of $100 to accommodate both games. Introduce the $500 to color up 5/5 game and use the 1K for coloring up 5/10 game.

Also, 8 player max per table so there's that at least.
 
Okay, last question...forget about trying to make it land on a perfect 2000 chip count or whatever.

What count of $5, $25 & $100 would you get...
to support an 8 handed 5/5 $500max game AND also 5/10 PLO mixed game 2k starting with say match a stack anytime.

Obviously you know I'll be able to color up whoever at any time.

Thx!

:-)
 
Okay, last question...forget about trying to make it land on a perfect 2000 chip count or whatever.

What count of $5, $25 & $100 would you get...
to support an 8 handed 5/5 $500max game AND also 5/10 PLO mixed game 2k starting with say match a stack anytime.

Obviously you know I'll be able to color up whoever at any time.

Thx!

:-)
Really I think you were on the right track other than disagreeing about the usefulness of the $5000 denom.


$5 - 600
$25 - 700
$100 - 400
43mm
$500 - 150
$1,000 - 100

I think this would support both games quite well. I would stick with a high number of fives because for 5-5 having two racks per table will probably work a little better, aside from the fives that will disappear to fund the house during the bomb pots as you describe.
 
Update:

Well, it looks like the wait will be around 5 months to make after I pull the trigger on the CPC set...I think I may go down in amounts too...enough to cover just one table.

So....I'm going to need a decent alternate set of chips in the meantime.

Would you suggest getting just a mixed set of Paulson's from say Apache...i could make one with Jumper/Jummer? and whichever they have or get the Apache CC Pharoahs kind or another suggestion???

Want to get as close to a real clay type chip feel without spending an arm and a leg as I'm getting a CPC set by end of year anyway.

Thank you for any and all suggestions!
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom