Cash Game Chip denominations for home game (1 Viewer)

Honestlyzerg

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Hello! I am looking for some advice before i pull the trigger on an additional 500 chips to compliment my existing 500 chip set.
My goal is to have a 1000 chip set for home games (cash games only). We currently usually play .05/.10 but use $5/$10 chips and convert at the end of the night. $1 = 1 cent.

The current denominations I am running are:
$ 5.00100
$ 10.00200
$ 25.00150
$ 100.0050

Usually we are able to play full ring so i want to make sure i can support that. I was thinking of doing something like this:
$ 5.00100
$ 10.00350
$ 25.00300
$ 100.00150
$ 500.0080
$ 1,000.0020

I would really appreciate any feedback or reasons why I should or shouldn't do what I am thinking of. I know the original 500 chips may not be optimal but I would prefer to incorporate them instead of getting a fresh 1000 chips!

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out
 
Yes there is room. Normally you’d want to have the follow denoms for that game:

5c
25c
$1
$5
$25 (possibly)

There is no need for a 10c or $10 chip. Denoms should be 4-5x appart
This.

Here's the part of the thread I linked that explains it pretty well:
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.
 
There are a ton of different breakdowns for starting stacks. I guess it all depends on the game/chip owner. Some prefer more "efficiency" so less chips on the table and some like way too many with too many denoms/chips on the table. It is all about finding that balance that works for you.

Rather using the 100x multiplier or not, personally I think of myself somewhat in between on the above scale. As others have mentioned 4 - 5x denomination increases so that $10 is really pointless and taking up space. Personally this is how I would break it down for your set playing $.05/$.10.

Typically our starting stacks are based off of # of big blinds. Again lots of options here but generally we go with 200 BBs so $.10 x 200 = $20, to support a full table of 10 players let's see the efficient way to make that 1k chip set.

$20 x 10 starting stacks
(15) $.05 = $.75 x 10 = 150
(17) $.25 = $4.25 x 10 = 170
(15) $1 = $15 x 10 = 150

Our first round of rebuys we don't need more Nickles put in play but as the quarter is our early workhorse here I would like to see a few more put in play (justify buying 200) but Not necessary... just less change making. But also time to start bringing our value chips in here.

Rebuys 1-5
(4) $.25 = $1 × 5 = 20
(4) $1 = $4 × 5 = 20
(3) $5 = $15 x 5 = 15

That keeps us just under 200 $.25, but the $1 chip is typically evolving to our workhorse, typically I say (200) $1s are plenty for any game... but as you have stated you want a 1k chip set for a single table game (more than you need honestly) I would take the liberal approach and add more $1s here. Also we have that pesky rack of (50) nickles that needs to be filled, so.

Rebuys 6 - 15
(5) $1 = $5 x 10 = 50
(3) $5 = $15 x 10 = 30

The next 20 rebuys (not likely) will be a bit less colorful, just $5s but now we also entertain the ability to rebuy for half of the largest stack as opposed to just $20, we want to make sure we have the bank to cover that.

Rebuys 16 - 35
(4) $5 = $20 × 20 = 80

At this point sure we can go with the standard $25 chip but in a $.05/$.10 game it sucks because rebuys are $20... much better to find a $20 chip here if possible. Good luck finding a $2000 chip for the 100x multiplier anyways, might be better to go to a $5000 chip for $50s instead for your value chip.

Rebuys 36 - 50
(1) x $20 = $20 × 15 = 15

So now 60 buy ins... doubtful many of your players are planning on buying in for more than 5 buy ins anyways but we will add more top end anyways, but let's look at our set so far.

$.05 = 150
$.25 = 190
$1 = 230
$5 = 125
$20 = 15

Let's round those up to even things out.
$.05 = 150
$.25 = 200
$1= 250
$5 = 150
$20 = 50

Now sitting at 800 chips and more than you will ever need to cover that game. But what if in the future the group chooses to move up to $100 buy ins and play $.25/$.50, with our remaining chips to get to 1000 let's solidify (future proof) the top end d a bit. Obviously I could do that breakdown but this is already a book!

Let's add.
$5 = 100
$20 = 80
$100 = 20

Now we know whatever happens on a crazy night, that our set is up for the task.

Again we don't really need more than 200 of any denom (a barrel of each per player is plenty) so you can adjust how you see fit.

My final breakdown here would be
$.05 = 150 ($7.50)
$.25 = 200 ($50)
$1 = 250 ($250)
$5 = 250 ($1250)
$20 = 130 ($2,600)
$100 = 20 ($2000)

1000 chips with a total bank of $6,157.50

Likely more than you will ever need, but then again you said a 1000 chip set. That's how I would break it down.

Fellow Chipper Ben
 
Didn't notice you joined today @Honestlyzerg welcome to the forum! Lots of amazing info here... we all came here obsessed with little clay discs, I hope that on your own chipping journey you realize the true magic of this community is in friendships.

Unlike many other hobbies, this one is pretty unique that we not only collect little pieces of artwork but also that we can share them amongst our friends along the journey. Sure you could argue that collecting Pokémon cards or "Magic The Gathering" trading cards present the same opportunities... but let's face it, you kind of out grow that stuff. We have all ages in this hobby from college students up to 80 plus year lifetime collectors. Doesn't matter your age, race, sex... poker is something we can all come together and enjoy, and while yes we are still a bunch of chip nerds. It is much more acceptable as an adult to get together with other adults, have a few beverages and enjoy the ole poker game... as opposed to trench coats and weird pegan symbols carrying a case of Mgic the gathering cards into some weird comic book shop! Lmao (Meant a s a joke if we do have a few of those folks around)

Came for these
20201103_163309.jpg

Stayed for
20210528_121303.jpg

(Everyone in that picture are PCF members, I'm the hairy one on the left! Lol)

Enjoy your chipping journey!
 
As everyone here says, get rid of the $10.

You can use the same chipset for a T5 base tournament, if you ever decide on running that.
Although Devils Advocate here... if you wanted to use the 100 × multiplier for the $10 and could find a $50 chip. Then you could run $.10/$.20 for a $40 buy in as mentioned by
I'm a big fan of a .10c/.20c game. It plays real well with my friends. We have tried .5c/.10c but it was just too small....

.10c (160)
.50c (400)
$2 (300)
$5 (140)

May not be for everyone, but I love this for a friendship with companionship game.
I also prefer $.10/$.20 stakes and agree that $.05/$.10 ays too small. But then again I am one of the only idiots ordering a rack of penny chips too! Lol

To each their own, my recommendations were based off if the OPs specs. I would ditch the $10 also, but if $.25/$.50 ($100 buy in) is too big of a jump for your home game, then the $10/$50 ($.10/$.20) option for a $40 buy in might be the next step if interested.

Absolutely nothing wrong with running the game just the way it has been, with the same odds and just increasing your chip counts. It all works!
 
Thanks for the great responses!

@Ben8257 you have given me lots to think about, I need to consider if I abandon the existing set I have and look to start from scratch.
 
I looked into the link provided (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ut-a-cash-game-chip-set-5c-10c-to-5-10.30897/)

My new potential plan is:
100$ 0.05
200$ 0.25
250$ 1.00
150$ 5.00
100$ 25.00
50$ 100.00

this would cover me then as the game potentially matures with time. IE:
0.05/0.10$20/200bb
.10/.25$50/200bb
.25/.50$100/200bb
0.50/1.00$200/200bb

For my case ill probably just keep the $10 in it as the last 150 chips so that it is full and looks nice haha

How does this look?
 
Edit: you NEED at least 200 $5s in your revised break down, and I wouldn't suggest more than 125 .25c, but 200 isn't crazy

Welcome Zerg! Check out our New Members Start Here Thread

It has some chip break down links, but honestly you won't find a better or more thought-out chip break down than Brother Ben provided. You will find more insight as to why you don't want a 10 unit chip in the mix.

Ben might have the most experience playing with sub .25c games, his break down would field a .25/.50 PLO game, and would get you by if you did a 1/2 NL / PLO game as well.

We also have a poker night flyer thread, sounds like you have a game going, lots of resources to add to the fun!
 
Thanks for the great responses!

@Ben8257 you have given me lots to think about, I need to consider if I abandon the existing set I have and look to start from scratch.
What grade are your current chips? ABS Slugs. Ceramic, China Clay, compressed clay? Depending on the value, if they are lower end, there are options out there for getting actual correct denoms on your chips. An example is that currently @rjdev7 is selling ceramics with His "Super Poker World" theme. These are semi custom and have to be made (not sitting in stock somewhere, takes about a month but for less than a buck a chip (if you order a large quantity) they are really nice for ceramics (mid grade poker chips)
20220413_182228.jpg

I get the design is not for everyone. But they are freaking cool for those of us that grew up in that generation. Also @BR Pro Poker have lots of semi custom or even stock designs if that one isn't your flavor.

Another option, we on the forum have been ordering chips straight from China, we call them Cards Molds and quite often there are group buys running for these chips, you can get your own art work made and get your very own customs (also an option with Br PRO BTW) or join a group buy and get a design that an artist here has made the ones I have were designed by @Eloe2000 one of the best, and they are Tributes to the old Atlantic City Taj Mahal casino
20220419_162218.jpg

Agin custom, so what he did was take the original snapper (casino $2.50) and make it a quarter,took the original Blue $10 chip and made it the Nickle. These cost about $.35 per chip, very resonable given the customization and their total disregard of any copyright infringements.

There are higher end options but finding micro sets now has become very difficult.
I looked into the link provided (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ut-a-cash-game-chip-set-5c-10c-to-5-10.30897/)

My new potential plan is:
100$ 0.05
200$ 0.25
250$ 1.00
150$ 5.00
100$ 25.00
50$ 100.00

this would cover me then as the game potentially matures with time. IE:
0.05/0.10$20/200bb
.10/.25$50/200bb
.25/.50$100/200bb
0.50/1.00$200/200bb

For my case ill probably just keep the $10 in it as the last 150 chips so that it is full and looks nice haha

How does this look?
If you want to keep things even that is OK, but keep in mind the $5 will be your workhorse chip in any larger stakes games and you would definitely want at least 200 of them if that was ever the case. You really only need a barrel (20 chips) of $100s and unless you are playing $1/$1 ($200 buy in) or higher, it is very unlikely you would ever need any $100s at all.

Ben
 
Last edited:
Ahhh okay, @Ben8257 is it too much to ask to hop in a discord call or something? haha i feel like i need to absorb some of the knowledge you have.

Working with round numbers isn't a big deal to me, honestly what I want is too get set that covers any realistic base i will ever need and has a look/feel that will not get old or go stale with time. (mario one is so sick but I have a feeling i will grow bored of it with time)
 
The chips I have now are the Majestic from Apachie poker chips

Okay hopefully last iteration on denominations
150​
$ 0.05
250​
$ 0.25
250​
$ 1.00
230​
$ 5.00
100​
$ 25.00
20​
$ 100.00
 
The chips I have now are the Majestic from Apachie poker chips

Okay hopefully last iteration on denominations
150​
$ 0.05
250​
$ 0.25
250​
$ 1.00
230​
$ 5.00
100​
$ 25.00
20​
$ 100.00
20 less $25, 20 more $5. They'll fit in racks better
 

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