Ante Up with This Essential Poker Chips Guide for Beginners

Imagine playing a high-stakes poker game with a pile of…buttons and paper clips. Not quite the dramatic effect you would hope for. Poker chips are little round disc that makes you look ten times cooler while bluffing other participants.

They have a satisfying clink as you stack, shuffle, and throw them into the pot. Every bet with a chip feels like a scene from a Hollywood thriller!

But do you know the value each chip represents and the proper way to use them? Let us break it down for you.

All About Poker Chips

Like cash, poker chips represent different values in the game and they can be exchanged with or for cash. When players sit at the table, they start with a standard number of chips, depending on the type and quantum of the game. 

The goal of every poker game is simple: to have the highest number of chips when you leave the table. Here are the standard types of poker chips you will come across in the game;

Don’t be confused about the values of each chip. The denomination can change according to the table, type of game, and location. While the majority of casinos follow the standardised colour scheme shared above, you may find different colours at different tournaments.

The colour and amount associated with each poker chip can also change according to the country. So, don’t be surprised to find chips of different amounts if you are playing in another country.

When you sit at a table, you have to buy a minimum amount of chips depending on the game and the rules. To play, you have to place chips in the center or the “pot” to stake your position.

Note: Most casinos have a time limit on cashing in the chips. This means you can’t keep them as collector’s items to sell at a later date. Also, poker rooms regularly change their chip designs to prevent counterfeits and fraud.

How to Play with Poker Chips in a Game?

In a poker game, every round starts with blinds, where the first player must place their opening bet. This gets the table rolling as other players join in with their bets and stakes. Instead of money, chips of different values are thrown into the centre of the table to complete the following actions:

• Call: The players match the existing bet by placing the same amount of chips in the pot (table centre).
• Raise: If a player wants to increase the bet amount, they go for Raise and throw in more chips than the previous bet. A player should “raise” if they think they have a good hand and have a higher probability of winning.
• Fold: Players opt to fold when they have an unwinnable hand of cards. This means they give up and forfeit the chips already in the pot. At times, folding can turn out to be a smarter move than trying out your luck with a bad hand and losing all the money. 
• Check: In case no bet is made from either player, you can play the Check move and pass the turn to the next player. Interestingly, you won’t have to put in any chips to make this move. Players sometimes do this to see the next card for free. Note that, you can’t always check—if the previous player placed a bet, you must either call, fold, or raise.

The chips in your kitty are called a Chip Stack, and by the end of the game, the person with the bulkiest chip stack walks away with the big bucks.

Some Common Poker Table Étiquettes

Poker is a game of skill and patience. Don’t expect to win every game you go into, but also don’t forget to have some fun while playing, especially if you are playing at home with your friends and family or playing poker online.

However, while sitting at the table, follow these best practices:

• Neatly Stacked Chips: A symmetrically placed chip stack signifies that you have an organised thought process, and it also adds to the aesthetic value of the table. 
• Make Clear Bets: Hesitation in making a bet can be costly. It projects weakness and indecision, which they can take advantage of. Also, make sure to push the chips into the centre when betting to avoid any confusion. 
• Protect your Cards: Your cards are the only thing standing between you and your winnings. So, protect and shield them effectively. Even while looking at your cards, don’t give other players an opportunity to take a peak.
• Don’t Discuss Folded Hands: If you fold while playing online, wait for the game to finish before discussing your cards in the chat window. It is unethical to reveal your cards in an ongoing game as it can hamper other players’ hands.
• Be Polite in the Chatroom: Don’t use the chatroom to berate other players. Remember they are real people too. Moreover, the room moderators can easily block you from the chatroom for this behavior.

Play Poker Like an Expert

Playing poker like an expert begins with learning the basics and getting familiar with the game rules and practices. Don’t expect to learn everything in a single day. Take your time and implement your learnings in demo mode to get better at the game. Never stake any real money till you are confident about your game and strategy.