In my experience, someone new to the market overestimates what they need. Tell us what stakes, how many players and what format (tournament v cash) and we can give you much better advice
Fair point. I guess my thought was that for a one table cash or tournament game, you don't need 750 chips just because that's the quantity retailers sell them in... Who wants a half a rack anyway?
You can do a 2-table tournament without be short on chips using just 680 chips.
Before deciding on how many chips you need, ask yourself...
Tournament, cash, or both. Yes, tournament chips can be used for cash or vice-versa, but it can cause problems. It doesn't matter how long you knew your players for, or how trustworthy they are, mistakes happen. Besides, tournament and cash sets are optimized differently. A combined set may save a little money in the beginning, but in the long run, you will be wasting money.
How many players. One table or two? 5-6 players will become 8-10 players, unless you are a troglodyte with no friends. And your players have no friends. And you cannot make friends at work. And your players can't make friends either. Basically, I'm saying, plan for more. Sooner or later you will host a game and someone won't make it, so you invite someone else. Now both players want to play the next game. Your game will grow. You are only limited by table space and then by chips. Nobody here regrets having extra chips. Many regret not buying enough.
Rebuys. Each rebuy requires more chips. In particular workhorse chips and high-end chips. You can control and anticipate rebuys with tournaments, but cash games are a little tougher to anticipate, as each group is different. One group may play 25¢-50¢ cash games and the big loser for the night will go through $40. Another group at the same stakes may see losses over $200. The personalities at the table will dictate what size bank you will need in a cash game.
Storage. This is a lesser concern, but it is reality. Chips need to go somewhere. Usually a birdcage or a case of some sort, to make carrying them easy. If a case holds 800 chips, there is no logical reason to stop at 780 chips.
Replacements. Depending on the chip, you may not be able to buy them again in 5 years. If you lose one due to breakage, theft, or mysterious disappearance (they all happen), your set may be screwed if you bought only exactly what you need.
In my experience, someone new to the market overestimates what they need. Tell us what stakes, how many players and what format (tournament v cash) and we can give you much better advice
I've noticed it's only when someone says they're intent/content on buying the cheap stuff that we all say you don't need that many... yet when it's the good stuff we change our tune to MOAR CHIPES!
I've noticed it's only when someone says they're intent/content on buying the cheap stuff that we all say you don't need that many... yet when it's the good stuff we change our tune to MOAR CHIPES!