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

[boltonguy]

Can't that just extend the night indefinitely if you don't move the blinds up as the night goes on?

As long as all players have infinite bankrolls, yes. Our game (which just started running again last night!!) typically runs from 730pm to midnight but we lose some people along the way as they empty their wallet and head home - but that doesnt often happen too early say stars around 10pm as people bring a few buyins. We play .25/.50 with $60 buyin so most people bring $60 - $180.

I will add that our first player to bust last night after losing a second buyin at 10pm said "that was the best $120 I've spent so far this year." We have a lot of fun. GL with your game!

 

[Huskerdj49]

As long as all players have infinite bankrolls, yes. Our game (which just started running again last night!!) typically runs from 730pm to midnight but we lose some people along the way as they empty their wallet and head home - but that doesnt often happen too early say stars around 10pm as people bring a few buyins. We play .25/.50 with $60 buyin so most people bring $60 - $180.

I will add that our first player to bust last night after losing a second buyin at 10pm said "that was the best $120 I've spent so far this year." We have a lot of fun. GL with your game!

Thanks so much for the information! Sounds like fun!

 

[v1pe]

@v1pe busted out the Majestic set you sold me for tomorrows tournament. I still cherish them just as much as the day they came in the mail.

Great chips for the price!

A regular tournament I play at just recently replaced their old junky Full Tilt tourney chips for equally junky new Poker Knights chips - wish they would have consulted me!

 

[Good_Barba]

General Rules To Mapping Out A Cash Set

1. Plan your chip set around 10 players per table. A full table is 10 players, you may only run 7-8 normally but I'm a big believer in being prepared. Someone might bring a friend and who wants to turn down action? I don't! The extra chips will also provide you cushion with your set.

2. Only have denominations that are 4-5x the value of the previous denomination. This one is very important. I know some of y'all have guys that like a bunch of different chips. I read one post in my forum searches where a guy runs $1/$2/$3 and $5 chips all in one game. This is such a waste of chips and only makes cash outs at the end of the night more of a headache. Follow the KISS mantra - Keep It Simple Stupid. You as the host are also the banker. Make your job easier and save money on chip sets by keeping the denominations simple. When I started my game, my 25c/50c game had denoms of 25c/50c/$1/$5/$10/$25/$50/$100... don't do this. Don't be that guy. It's a waste of chips and thus, a waste of money on your initial investment.

3. Plan the chip set around a starting stack of 200 big blinds. The max buy in of my 25c/50c game is $100. Not everyone does this, but some nights everyone does. Your game might not be at that point, but if you want your game to last, you'll need to be prepared to handle growth. Some players are more gamblers than others. Be prepared and have the chips at your disposal. Having the chips will only add more flexibility to your capabilities to host.


Mapping Out A Chip Set For 1 Table Of 10 Players

The following chip counts are meant to be a guide to efficiently map out a chip set, thus saving you money on your total chip purchase. I will cover each stake from 5c/10c to $5/$10. There is great debate over using a $20 or $25 chip. I've mapped this guide out to be as efficient as possible based on the stakes. Some use $20, others $25. You may like different stacks sizes too. Example, my guys like big stacks for my 25c/50c game. My mapping is $100 stacks of 12/17/16 of 25c/$1/$5 chips respectively.

This is meant to be a general guide to help get you started and thinking in the process you need to map out your chip set efficiently. These set guides are written with the considerations of: most places when you order chips require you to order in increments of 25 and I'm not using "odd" denominations that are hard to find, example: a $2.50 chip. They're useful, however a bit harder to track down. These will use the easier to find denominations.

Now, let's get started. These map outs will provide you with 10x starting playable stacks with enough in higher denomination chips to cover color ups, top offs and rebuys with a total bank averaging 3x 200 big blind buy ins per player at the table (600 big blinds total x 10 players). Sure, this might not happen all the time... but when it does, you'll be glad you have the chips.

My motto is always buy once, cry once.


5c/10c Mapping - $20 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

5c/25c/$1/$5/$20

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x 5c (50c)
18x 25c ($4.50)
15x $1 ($15)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 5c ($5)
200x 25c ($50)
150x $1 ($150)
25x $5 ($125)
25x $20 ($500)


Total Bank: $830

10c/25c Mapping - $50 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

5c/25c/$1/$5/$25

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x 5c (50c)
14x 25c ($3.50)
11x $1 ($11)
7x $5 ($35)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 5c ($5)
150x 25c ($37.50)
125x $1 ($125)
75x $5 ($375)
50x $25 ($1,250)

Total Bank: $1,792.50


25c/50c Mapping - $100 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

25c/$1/$5/$25

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

8x 25c ($2)
18x $1 ($18)
16x $5 ($80)

Chips Needed - 600 Total Chips

100x 25c ($25)
250x $1 ($250)
175x $5 ($875)
75x $25 ($1,875)

Total Bank: $3,025

50c/$1 Mapping - $200 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

25c/$1/$5/$25/$100

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

8x 25c ($2)
8x $1 ($8)
13x $5 ($65)
5x $25 ($125)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 25c ($25)
100x $1 ($100)
150x $5 ($150)
50x $25 ($1,250)
50x $100 ($5,000)

Total Bank: $6,525

$1/$2 Mapping - $400 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$1/$5/$25/$100

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x $1 ($10)
18X $5 ($90)
8x $25 ($200)
1x $100 ($100)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x $1 ($100)
200x $5 ($1000)
100x $25 ($2,500)
100x $100 ($10,000)

Total Bank: $13,600

$2/$5 Mapping - $1,000 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$1/$5/$25/$100/$500

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

5x $1 ($5)
14x $5 ($70)
13x $25 ($325)
1x $100 ($100)
1x $500 ($500)

Chips Needed - 750 Total Chips

50x $1 ($50)
300x $5 ($1,500)
275x $25 ($6,875)
100x $100 ($10,000)
25x $500 ($12,500)

Total Bank: $30,925

$5/$10 Mapping - $2,000 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$5/$25/$100/$500

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x $5 ($50)
10x $25 ($250)
7x $100 ($700)
2x $500 ($1000)

Chips Needed - 375 Total Chips

100x $5 ($500)
100x $25 ($2,500)
75x $100 ($7,500)
100x $500 ($50,000)

Total Bank: $60,500



Well that's what I got. If you grow to 2 tables, simply x2 these chips sets and you're covered.

If anyone notices any typos, bad math on my part, etc. please post and I will make changes.

I've proof read this 4 times but I'm still only human. Gr

General Rules To Mapping Out A Cash Set

1. Plan your chip set around 10 players per table. A full table is 10 players, you may only run 7-8 normally but I'm a big believer in being prepared. Someone might bring a friend and who wants to turn down action? I don't! The extra chips will also provide you cushion with your set.

2. Only have denominations that are 4-5x the value of the previous denomination. This one is very important. I know some of y'all have guys that like a bunch of different chips. I read one post in my forum searches where a guy runs $1/$2/$3 and $5 chips all in one game. This is such a waste of chips and only makes cash outs at the end of the night more of a headache. Follow the KISS mantra - Keep It Simple Stupid. You as the host are also the banker. Make your job easier and save money on chip sets by keeping the denominations simple. When I started my game, my 25c/50c game had denoms of 25c/50c/$1/$5/$10/$25/$50/$100... don't do this. Don't be that guy. It's a waste of chips and thus, a waste of money on your initial investment.

3. Plan the chip set around a starting stack of 200 big blinds. The max buy in of my 25c/50c game is $100. Not everyone does this, but some nights everyone does. Your game might not be at that point, but if you want your game to last, you'll need to be prepared to handle growth. Some players are more gamblers than others. Be prepared and have the chips at your disposal. Having the chips will only add more flexibility to your capabilities to host.


Mapping Out A Chip Set For 1 Table Of 10 Players

The following chip counts are meant to be a guide to efficiently map out a chip set, thus saving you money on your total chip purchase. I will cover each stake from 5c/10c to $5/$10. There is great debate over using a $20 or $25 chip. I've mapped this guide out to be as efficient as possible based on the stakes. Some use $20, others $25. You may like different stacks sizes too. Example, my guys like big stacks for my 25c/50c game. My mapping is $100 stacks of 12/17/16 of 25c/$1/$5 chips respectively.

This is meant to be a general guide to help get you started and thinking in the process you need to map out your chip set efficiently. These set guides are written with the considerations of: most places when you order chips require you to order in increments of 25 and I'm not using "odd" denominations that are hard to find, example: a $2.50 chip. They're useful, however a bit harder to track down. These will use the easier to find denominations.

Now, let's get started. These map outs will provide you with 10x starting playable stacks with enough in higher denomination chips to cover color ups, top offs and rebuys with a total bank averaging 3x 200 big blind buy ins per player at the table (600 big blinds total x 10 players). Sure, this might not happen all the time... but when it does, you'll be glad you have the chips.

My motto is always buy once, cry once.


5c/10c Mapping - $20 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

5c/25c/$1/$5/$20

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x 5c (50c)
18x 25c ($4.50)
15x $1 ($15)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 5c ($5)
200x 25c ($50)
150x $1 ($150)
25x $5 ($125)
25x $20 ($500)


Total Bank: $830

10c/25c Mapping - $50 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

5c/25c/$1/$5/$25

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x 5c (50c)
14x 25c ($3.50)
11x $1 ($11)
7x $5 ($35)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 5c ($5)
150x 25c ($37.50)
125x $1 ($125)
75x $5 ($375)
50x $25 ($1,250)

Total Bank: $1,792.50


25c/50c Mapping - $100 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

25c/$1/$5/$25

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

8x 25c ($2)
18x $1 ($18)
16x $5 ($80)

Chips Needed - 600 Total Chips

100x 25c ($25)
250x $1 ($250)
175x $5 ($875)
75x $25 ($1,875)

Total Bank: $3,025

50c/$1 Mapping - $200 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

25c/$1/$5/$25/$100

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

8x 25c ($2)
8x $1 ($8)
13x $5 ($65)
5x $25 ($125)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 25c ($25)
100x $1 ($100)
150x $5 ($150)
50x $25 ($1,250)
50x $100 ($5,000)

Total Bank: $6,525

$1/$2 Mapping - $400 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$1/$5/$25/$100

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x $1 ($10)
18X $5 ($90)
8x $25 ($200)
1x $100 ($100)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x $1 ($100)
200x $5 ($1000)
100x $25 ($2,500)
100x $100 ($10,000)

Total Bank: $13,600

$2/$5 Mapping - $1,000 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$1/$5/$25/$100/$500

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

5x $1 ($5)
14x $5 ($70)
13x $25 ($325)
1x $100 ($100)
1x $500 ($500)

Chips Needed - 750 Total Chips

50x $1 ($50)
300x $5 ($1,500)
275x $25 ($6,875)
100x $100 ($10,000)
25x $500 ($12,500)

Total Bank: $30,925

$5/$10 Mapping - $2,000 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$5/$25/$100/$500

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x $5 ($50)
10x $25 ($250)
7x $100 ($700)
2x $500 ($1000)

Chips Needed - 375 Total Chips

100x $5 ($500)
100x $25 ($2,500)
75x $100 ($7,500)
100x $500 ($50,000)

Total Bank: $60,500



Well that's what I got. If you grow to 2 tables, simply x2 these chips sets and you're covered.

If anyone notices any typos, bad math on my part, etc. please post and I will make changes.

I've proof read this 4 times but I'm still only human.

Great info! Thanks!

 

[Marius L]

I think this write up has a lot of good info and decent suggested breakdowns for most stakes, but there are something that seems like wierd randomness that maybe isn't tought through enough. Maybe it needs some refinement to make it even better! I think it's a great idea to have a resource like this for a quick look-up for how to build a set of various stakes.


One issue I found is that the difference in total number of chips for the different stakes is striking. For example I'm not sure why 750 chips is needed for $2/$5, while for $5/$10 you only need 375 chips. And for most other stakes you need 500 chips. IMO the total number of chips needed will be more similar regardless of stakes while at the same time of course you COULD have either more or fewer chips for whatever stakes, and still have functional breakdowns, but I dont think that is the point here.reasoning behind the discrepencies in this OP.

I'll show another example comparing two of your breakdowns to show some examples of apparent randomness. These two should IMO be pretty much the same except you add a couple of zeros to one of them for the most part. namely 5c/10c and $5/$10.

While both of these breakdowns are playable for sure, I just think they should ideally be (pretty much) the same if they are actually optimalized.

If the ideal starting breakdown for 5c/10c is 10x5c, 18x25c and 15x$1, then that means the ideal breakdown for $5/$10 should also be 10x $5, 18x $25 and 15x $100, right? Why would you want $500s in the start stack for the $5/$10 game, but no $5s in the start stack of 5c/10c? and why only 10 each of $5s and $25s as oposed to the higher number of small denoms in the 5c/10c set?

Randomness:
For the small stakes set you have a total of 5 different denoms, while in the big stakes set you only have 4 denoms.
For the small stakes set the starting number of chips is 43, while for the big stakes set its 29.
For the small stakes set you start with 3 different denoms in your start stack, while for the big stakes set you start with 4 different denoms.
for the small stakes set the total bank equals 8300 BBs, while for the big stakes set it equals 6050 BBs. (big difference)

There's multiple big discrepencies without any logic to them imo.

I'd suggest a much more similar breakdown for both of these stakes.

5c/10c Mapping - $20 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

5c/25c/$1/$5/$20

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x 5c (50c)
18x 25c ($4.50)
15x $1 ($15)

Chips Needed - 500 Total Chips

100x 5c ($5)
200x 25c ($50)
150x $1 ($150)
25x $5 ($125)
25x $20 ($500)


Total Bank: $830

$5/$10 Mapping - $2,000 Max Buy In for 200 Big Blinds

Chip Denominations

$5/$25/$100/$500

Max Buy In Starting Stacks

10x $5 ($50)
10x $25 ($250)
7x $100 ($700)
2x $500 ($1000)

Chips Needed - 375 Total Chips

100x $5 ($500)
100x $25 ($2,500)
75x $100 ($7,500)
100x $500 ($50,000)

Total Bank: $60,500

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Full disclosure - new to this thread and I haven't read every post. So this may have been covered. Not sure if this happens to others, but often times for a cash game, the players will not all roll in at the same time. We may start playing as soon as we have 5-6 guys, even if we are expecting 10. Also, I like the idea of handing out chips in full barrels when possible. Especially for the blind chip and the first workhorse chip.

So I'll try to get all my smallest denom chips on the table with those first 5-6 guys, then the later comers just get workhorse and value chips, and make change at the table.

So for a $0.25/0.50 game with a $50 buy-in, I'll give the first 5 players this:
0.25 x 20 = $5
$1 x 20 = $20
$5 x 5 = $25

Later players will get a barrel of $1s and six $5s. To me this is much easier than counting out 12 of this and 22 of that while trying to get back to the game as quickly as possible.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Full disclosure - new to this thread and I haven't read every post. So this may have been covered. Not sure if this happens to others, but often times for a cash game, the players will not all roll in at the same time. We may start playing as soon as we have 5-6 guys, even if we are expecting 10. Also, I like the idea of handing out chips in full barrels when possible. Especially for the blind chip and the first workhorse chip.

So I'll try to get all my smallest denom chips on the table with those first 5-6 guys, then the later comers just get workhorse and value chips, and make change at the table.

So for a $0.25/0.50 game with a $50 buy-in, I'll give the first 5 players this:
0.25 x 20 = $5
$1 x 20 = $20
$5 x 5 = $25

Later players will get a barrel of $1s and six $5s. To me this is much easier than counting out 12 of this and 22 of that while trying to get back to the game as quickly as possible.

I like this and I do the same, in regards to barrels. For microstakes, 20x5c, 20x25c, and the rest in $1s up to 20 or whatever. The breakdown of 100x of the smallest is cheaper and will absolutely work, but I prefer handing out the barrels, especially cause mine are cheap ceramic.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Alright, real reason I came here. I'm planning to buy my first big set of custom CPC chips. I'm moving soon to a new home and will have dedicated poker space. I envision the stakes I currently play at growing, and I also want to be prepared to cover two tables of play, possibly at two different stake levels.

I have some friends and family who are only occasional social players. For them we will play nickel/dime blinds.

My current main stakes is $0.25/0.50, with occasional bumps to 0.50/$1.

I know how to cover these stakes. But I'm less familiar with what my needs might be if I grow the game to $1/2 or maybe even $2/5. I'm an accountant, so i understand the math and have set up some spreadsheets, but I don't have the experience playing at these stakes so I'm hoping some of you who do will weigh in and let me know if this is all effed up. LOL.

Also, for small stakes, I prefer using $20 chips over $25s. I know I'll need to change this if the game does grow to $2/5, and maybe even sooner. That will probably be my indicator that it's time to add on to the original set.

So here is the plan to cover multiple stakes, two tables:

120 x 0.05
240 x 0.25
500 x $1
600 x $5
140 x $20
100 x $100

1700 total chips. And I will probably also get a barrel of $500 chips just for fun. I know I won't need them until I get up to $2/5 or higher. But it's an excuse to get a few chips with a high level spot pattern.

Then sometime in the future, IF the game grows to regular $1/2, $1/3, or $2/5 games, I can order an add on for two racks of $25s and another rack of $100s.

Anyone see any holes in this logic? Any other suggestions?

 

[Quad Johnson]

My setup is so different these days than it used to be when I wrote this guide initially.

We play 10c/25c so my chip stacks and set these days is as follows.

200x 5c
400 x 25c
400 x $1
200 x $5
10 x $20 plaques

First stacks get:

10 x 5c
18 x 25c
With the rest in $1 chips up to $50 total for the stack


Once the game is rolling and late arrivals come out, they just get barrels of $1's and I have them get change at the table.

As rebuys and top offs occur, I just use $5 chips or the $20 plaques as applicable.

idk if it's right or wrong but it works for us and we like it. More than enough chips for a single table and some flexibility to go up to 25c/50c or $50c/$1 as well as all the smaller denoms for when we're doing a mixed game night with fixed limits.

 

[Machine]

This is madness! I’ve played similar chip stack games, though they were dice chips, I find that excessive chips of lower denoms slow the game down substantially. I’m all for socializing but multi way action is a nightmare when someone has 60 bucks and 3 racks of quarters.

I am glad to see you still posting, and happy to hear you’re hosting!

I run .25/.5 and have a max of 60 fracs on the table.perhaps I’m crazy the other way.

 

[Quad Johnson]

This is madness! I’ve played similar chip stack games, though they were dice chips, I find that excessive chips of lower denoms slow the game down substantially. I’m all for socializing but multi way action is a nightmare when someone has 60 bucks and 3 racks of quarters.

I am glad to see you still posting, and happy to hear you’re hosting!

I run .25/.5 and have a max of 60 fracs on the table.perhaps I’m crazy the other way.

Yeah I was building a house and got totally effed by the supply shortage. What should've taken six months took 655 days but we made it and my back porch is the poker room.

I try to keep quarters on the table to one stack of 20 average per player or $5 each person. In a 10c/25c, 25c/50c, or 50c/$1 game, the quarter and dollar is the workhorse!

I suppose I could get rid of some quarters for more dollars but I haven't run into any issues yet so far and I like the flexibility to change stakes or go fixed limit and easily have the fracs to cover.

 

[swana]

Alright, real reason I came here. I'm planning to buy my first big set of custom CPC chips. I'm moving soon to a new home and will have dedicated poker space. I envision the stakes I currently play at growing, and I also want to be prepared to cover two tables of play, possibly at two different stake levels.

I have some friends and family who are only occasional social players. For them we will play nickel/dime blinds.

My current main stakes is $0.25/0.50, with occasional bumps to 0.50/$1.

I know how to cover these stakes. But I'm less familiar with what my needs might be if I grow the game to $1/2 or maybe even $2/5. I'm an accountant, so i understand the math and have set up some spreadsheets, but I don't have the experience playing at these stakes so I'm hoping some of you who do will weigh in and let me know if this is all effed up. LOL.

Also, for small stakes, I prefer using $20 chips over $25s. I know I'll need to change this if the game does grow to $2/5, and maybe even sooner. That will probably be my indicator that it's time to add on to the original set.

So here is the plan to cover multiple stakes, two tables:

120 x 0.05
240 x 0.25
500 x $1
600 x $5
140 x $20
100 x $100

1700 total chips. And I will probably also get a barrel of $500 chips just for fun. I know I won't need them until I get up to $2/5 or higher. But it's an excuse to get a few chips with a high level spot pattern.

Then sometime in the future, IF the game grows to regular $1/2, $1/3, or $2/5 games, I can order an add on for two racks of $25s and another rack of $100s.

Anyone see any holes in this logic? Any other suggestions?

Seems like a lot of $1s to me... I wouldn't think you would ever need more than 200 per table max. You probably only need 300 between 2 tables but "want" and "need" are 2 different beasts.

I mostly play .25/ .50 and have 200 $1s. We often have 9 players. I've never once felt that we were short on $1s.

I dont play $2 / $5 but if you just added another 60 × $20, 100 × $100 with that barrel of $500 that would be a total bank of $37,000+... thats 37, 200BB in a $2 /$5. I dunno, that sounds pretty future proofed to me for 2 tables playing $2 /$5 or single table playing $5 / $10.

TLDR: Cut a rack of $1s and add 60×$20, 100×$100 which is net an extra 60 chips and you are future proofed already!!

 

[JMC9389]

Seems like a lot of $1s to me... I wouldn't think you would ever need more than 200 per table max. You probably only need 300 between 2 tables but "want" and "need" are 2 different beasts.

I mostly play .25/ .50 and have 200 $1s. We often have 9 players. I've never once felt that we were short on $1s.

I dont play $2 / $5 but if you just added another 60 × $20, 100 × $100 with that barrel of $500 that would be a total bank of $37,000+... thats 37, 200BB in a $2 /$5. I dunno, that sounds pretty future proofed to me for 2 tables playing $2 /$5 or single table playing $5 / $10.

TLDR: Cut a rack of $1s and add 60×$20, 100×$100 which is net an extra 60 chips and you are future proofed already!!

Pretty much what I was going to say. I'd add more nickels to have 10 for each player. 200 total for two tables.

240 quarters is perfect.

400 $1's are just fine.

600 $5's is fine if those are going to be used as the workhorse for stack top offs and rebuys.

Think 100 $100's is too many if stakes are mostly 0.25/0.50, but if the stakes may ever go up to $1/$2, I suppose it's fine. I'd just add 20 more $20's for a total of 160 and you're cooking

200 x 0.05
240 x 0.25
400 x $1
600 x $5
160 x $20
100 x $100

Total: 1700

 

[allforcharity]

200 of each workhorse chip per table is fine. You should have a max of 1 rack per table of lowest denom chips, and most can get away with less. Get those higher denom chips into play. Numbers are especially important when dealing with high end/expensive chips.

 

[upNdown]

You should have a max of 1 rack per table of lowest denom chips, and most can get away with less.

I was just informed that this is incorrect.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Seems like a lot of $1s to me... I wouldn't think you would ever need more than 200 per table max. You probably only need 300 between 2 tables but "want" and "need" are 2 different beasts.

I mostly play .25/ .50 and have 200 $1s. We often have 9 players. I've never once felt that we were short on $1s.

I dont play $2 / $5 but if you just added another 60 × $20, 100 × $100 with that barrel of $500 that would be a total bank of $37,000+... thats 37, 200BB in a $2 /$5. I dunno, that sounds pretty future proofed to me for 2 tables playing $2 /$5 or single table playing $5 / $10.

TLDR: Cut a rack of $1s and add 60×$20, 100×$100 which is net an extra 60 chips and you are future proofed already!!

Thanks. The $1s was one thing I wasn't sure about. Didn't know if I would need more for $1/2 or $1/3. Cuz yeah, 200 per table is plenty for 0.25/0.50. Also, my ones are a lighter color (canary) And I figured that would be one I might be worried about reordering and having color match issues. So I would rather order 100 more than I need, than find out I needed another rack 2-3 years down the road. Also having a few more will allow me to rotate and keep them from wearing out too fast. There's no game I see playing that won't have a couple of racks of $1s on the table.

$20 vs $25 is the big question. Post #1 in this thread mentions needing 275 x $25 for $2/5. That seems like overkill, but I can see 200. And I've read comments that a lot of bigger stake players don't like playing with $20s. And according to my spreadsheets, I shouldn't need more than 70 per table playing $1/2, or 30 per table playing $0.50/1.

If I do cut the $1s back to 400 I'll probably just pocket the savings and still wait to get $25s if I ever need them.

So here's my question. Would anyone out there who regularly plays $1/2 or $1/3 strongly object to using $20 chips instead of $25 chips?

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Pretty much what I was going to say. I'd add more nickels to have 10 for each player. 200 total for two tables.

240 quarters is perfect.

400 $1's are just fine.

600 $5's is fine if those are going to be used as the workhorse for stack top offs and rebuys.

Think 100 $100's is too many if stakes are mostly 0.25/0.50, but if the stakes may ever go up to $1/$2, I suppose it's fine. I'd just add 20 more $20's for a total of 160 and you're cooking

200 x 0.05
240 x 0.25
400 x $1
600 x $5
160 x $20
100 x $100

Total: 1700

I'm trying to wean myself and some of my family/friends off of nickel / dime. I don't envision ever having two full tables of nickel/dime going at once. I could see one table of nickel/dime and one table of 0.25/.25 or 0.25/0.50 going though. So the one rack plus of nickels is plenty. Even if I did have two games going, I think we can make it work with 60 nickels per table.

 

[Machine]

For contrast, bare bones, I can run a .25/.5 PLO game buyin for 20-80 on:

60 x .25
200 x 1s
200 x 5s
45 x 20s
10 x 100s

If I only had one option to add 100 chips it would be 300 x 5s, but I typically do fine on the above

 

[Marius L]

200 of each workhorse chip per table is fine. You should have a max of 1 rack per table of lowest denom chips, and most can get away with less. Get those higher denom chips into play. Numbers are especially important when dealing with high end/expensive chips.

I agree 200x workhorses is enough, though I don't mind having 300. However I disagree with your next statement. While one rack of the lowest denom is playable for sure, in my 1/2 game I much prefer having about 140-160 x 1 chips. 2 racks is OK as well.

 

[Machine]

So here's my question. Would anyone out there who regularly plays $1/2 or $1/3 strongly object to using $20 chips instead of $25 chips?

I live in Indy I’ve played for about the past 20+ years and I’ve never seen a home game with a $20 chip, until I spread it. It is something most people talk about but after a few games I think they like it. It doesn’t hurt I have plaques.

If you run a 5/10 then I would put the 25s in play, I think you could go 25s on the 1/3 depending on buyin.

In the end a .05/.1 game might have 1 or 3 20s on the table, and for .25 / .5 game I’ve never had 400 in 20s on the table but some like to color up to 100s so I have like 15 20s and 2 or 3 Hundos max cap on the buyin is 80

I bought 25s for the cpc set, and next time the mold comes around I plan to pick up 1 rack of 20s

 

[allforcharity]

These things aren't written in stone, you have to make allowances for how your players bet in your game.

If it's a limp-heavy game, you will likely need more fracs, as well when people like betting in odd-multipliers.

"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of on your philosophy"

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

These things aren't written in stone, you have to make allowances for how your players bet in your game.

If it's a limp-heavy game, you will likely need more fracs, as well when people like betting in odd-multipliers.

"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of on your philosophy"

Is this just a stand alone statement, or are you replying to someone?

 

[BGinGA]

200 x 0.05
240 x 0.25
400 x $1
600 x $5
160 x $20
100 x $100

Total: 1700

^ This is close to my suggestion, although I'm not sure that 120x quarters each table is enough for two 25c/50c games. Maybe not even enough for two 5c/10c games (or a combo of 5c/10c and 25c/50c).

I lean towards 4-denom 100/200/200/100 breakdown sets for cash, regardless of the lowest denomination value. Some games (1/2, 2/5) benefit from more $5s, but otherwise it's a pretty solid recommendation for nearly all stakes. Games that play bigger can sometimes utilize two largest denoms (80/20 vs just 100) for a total of 5 denoms.

Stretching that concept into a combo set capable of spreading 5c/10c to 2/5 on two tables:

200 x 5c
400 x 25c
400 x $1
600 x $5
400 x $20
180 x $100
20 x $500
------------------
2200 chips

I think you're fine using $20 vs $25 for the larger stakes, but no real harm in spitiing it into 200x $20 and 200x $25.

If you just want to focus on up to 1/2 right now, then slice off 300 chips by going with just 200x $20 and 100 x $100, adding $25s and more $100s (plus $500s) later.

But I don't see 1700 total chips being capable of comfortably accommodating all of the stakes you want to offer on two tables.

 

[Machine]

I lean towards 4-denom 100/200/200/100 breakdown sets for cash

Yes this fits so often for cash games (1 table)

 

[allforcharity]

Is this just a stand alone statement, or are you replying to someone?





There's something wrong with how the quote formatting happens when I reply using my phone.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

^ This is close to my suggestion, although I'm not sure that 120x quarters each table is enough for two 25c/50c games. Maybe not even enough for two 5c/10c games (or a combo of 5c/10c and 25c/50c).

I lean towards 4-denom 100/200/200/100 breakdown sets for cash, regardless of the lowest denomination value. Some games (1/2, 2/5) benefit from more $5s, but otherwise it's a pretty solid recommendation for nearly all stakes. Games that play bigger can sometimes utilize two largest denoms (80/20 vs just 100) for a total of 5 denoms.

Stretching that concept into a combo set capable of spreading 5c/10c to 2/5 on two tables:

200 x 5c
400 x 25c
400 x $1
600 x $5
400 x $20
180 x $100
20 x $500
------------------
2200 chips

I think you're fine using $20 vs $25 for the larger stakes, but no real harm in spitiing it into 200x $20 and 200x $25.

If you just want to focus on up to 1/2 right now, then slice off 300 chips by going with just 200x $20 and 100 x $100, adding $25s and more $100s (plus $500s) later.

But I don't see 1700 total chips being capable of comfortably accommodating all of the stakes you want to offer on two tables.

Thanks Dave. Can always count on a great response from you. I do think it's funny how some take a very minimalist approach to fracs, then you say go with 200 quarters per table. I missed the cutoff to order CSQ this year. Well, to GET them this year. I'll probably still order soon to get in the queue, but I should be able to get some significant real life experience before I have to lock down my numbers. So I will test out a few different approaches and see if my games really do ratchet up over the next 6-12 months.

 

[merkong]

I’m working on a custom set right now which I want designed to be flexible. I’m planning on a “no cash value” chip as my lowest frac.

I figure it can be used as a .05, .10, .25 as the game sees fit.

So something like:

- NCV
- .50
- 1.00
- 5.00
- 20.00
- 100.00 (doubtful as it’ll never get played)

Am I onto something or on something?

 

[Machine]

I’m working on a custom set right now which I want designed to be flexible. I’m planning on a “no cash value” chip as my lowest frac.

I figure it can be used as a .05, .10, .25 as the game sees fit.

So something like:

- NCV
- .50
- 1.00
- 5.00
- 20.00
- 100.00 (doubtful as it’ll never get played)

Am I onto something or on something?

Its easy to confuse a NCV with a non denominated chip.

Typically NCV would be used for a tournament, where as non denominated would be used for a fractional chip, so that you can set the value at the start of the game.

Some of us use Bananas instead of NCV! its just a unit.

Here is an example of both, although my NCV is also non denominated, most would have a denom; I plan to hand these out at meetups, with no value its kinda redundant to put NCV but its fun!

 

[JustinInMN]

I’m working on a custom set right now which I want designed to be flexible. I’m planning on a “no cash value” chip as my lowest frac.

I figure it can be used as a .05, .10, .25 as the game sees fit.

So something like:

- NCV
- .50
- 1.00
- 5.00
- 20.00
- 100.00 (doubtful as it’ll never get played)

Am I onto something or on something?

You would never use 0.25 and 0.50 together. The only other frac to me that makes sense with 0.50 is 0.10, so if you are sure you want a denominated 0.50, I don't see why you would keep the other blank. A dime denom let's you do 0.10-0.10, or 0.10-0.20

If you did two ND chips you would have a ton of flexibility. You could do 0.05-0.25 or 0.10-0.50 and then you have a sort of clear line that you are only denominating whole values and fracs are flexible.

 

[merkong]

Its easy to confuse a NCV with a non denominated chip.

Typically NCV would be used for a tournament, where as non denominated would be used for a fractional chip, so that you can set the value at the start of the game.

Some of us use Bananas instead of NCV! its just a unit.

Here is an example of both, although my NCV is also non denominated, most would have a denom; I plan to hand these out at meetups, with no value its kinda redundant to put NCV but its fun!

View attachment 1090744

I probably have the nomenclature wrong. I want to use a flexible non-denominational chip as the lowest frac for our cash games. I think it will make the set most pliable.

Thanks for that clarification.