Cash Game Cash poker design (1 Viewer)

[Bluffhunter]

What are your buy ins and starting stacks for cash games you host or play in regularly?

I host a .25/.50 NLHE game with buy ins of $60 and 90% of the re-buys are $60.

Starting stack;

20x .25
30x $1
5x $5

Re-buys either all $5s or include a $25 just to get a couple on the table.

Primarily 25¢/50¢ NL/PL games
$100 max buy-in (average is $60)

First 5 players get 20 x 25¢ and the rest in $1s and $5s
The rest get buy-ins in $1s and $5s.
Re-buys are whatever I feel like handing out. Usually $5s and up.

Mine is .25/.25 Blinds, 40 to 100 Buy-in

12 - $ .25
12 - $1
13 - $5
1 - $20
For 100 buy in, then I remove the 20 and 4 5's for my players who buy in @ $60

We hardly make change and my re-buys are always in 20's (sometime I will get more 5's on the table)

$.50/1 game stacks are usually $50-150 buy in 8x$.50 16x$1 6/16x$5 then $25s as needed and for rebuys

Deep stack $1/1 ($2-800) is 20x$1 20x$5 4x$20 + x$20s as needed

Don't get why the rebuys are in such high denomination, is that common?

 

[SeanGecko]

“CHANGING $500!”

 

[Trihonda]

I thought the big blind is 2x of the small blind. How can there be .50/.50?
I read the link you gave me and a lot of people say they give rebuys in $5 and $25. How will those players be able to play when for example the preflop big blind is $2.5? and they only have $5 or $25 chips in hand?

Blinds can be $.25/.50 or $1/2 or $1/$1 or whatever you decide fits your group. It’s more common however to use big blinds that are two times the small blind.

And if you issue rebuys with larger denominations for simplicity, it’s easy for them To make change with a neighboring player (or the player that just busted them out).

 

[Beakertwang]

Don't get why the rebuys are in such high denomination, is that common?

Once you have 100 or 200 of your lowest denoms in play, there's no reason to keep putting them on the table. Rebuy with the larger denoms, and make change from other players.

 

[CantSpellPoker]

Don't get why the rebuys are in such high denomination, is that common?

If you issued rebuys with small denomination chips, there would be TONS (too many) of them on the table. Which means you have to buy TONS (too many) of them to begin with.

If someone rebuys for $50, just use $5’s and a $25, and that player can get change from other players (or the pot) as needed.

 

[sem0030]

: I am all sorts of twisted and lost

 

[Bluffhunter]

Blinds can be $.25/.50 or $1/2 or $1/$1 or whatever you decide fits your group. It’s more common however to use big blinds that are two times the small blind.

And if you issue rebuys with larger denominations for simplicity, it’s easy for them To make change with a neighboring player (or the player that just busted them out).

Is there a particular rule that says who needs to give the player lower denomination chips? What if there is a player with lots of low denomination chips and doesn't want to change it for bigger with the player who just bought in? Does the host decide? or the player who just busted them?

 

[SeanGecko]

“Hey can I have some nickels?”
3 dudes at the table.
“Here!”
Every time

 

[Beakertwang]

Is there a particular rule that says who needs to give the player lower denomination chips? What if there is a player with lots of low denomination chips and doesn't want to change it for bigger with the player who just bought in? Does the host decide? or the player who just busted them?

Whoever has more than enough low denoms should happily change them out. If, by chance, someone threw a fit about it, I'd tell them to get their head out of their ass or leave. Kindly of course. Real poker players show courtesy to other players at the table.

 

[Bluffhunter]

Most people on here would prefer to setup their cash game differently. Something like the following:

Players generally start with 100 big blinds, or more. Starting stacks of 50bb generally lead to more all-ins, and less poker plays. If the original buy-in is $50, I would play either .25/.50 blinds, or .50/.50 blinds.

Let's do .50/.50.
Starting stacks
.50 x 10 = $5
$1 x 20 = $20
$5 x 5 = $25

You build a set with 35 chips/player, rather than 100. It's more efficient, and cheaper. If I want to make a standard pre-flop raise of 4x the big blind, I would throw out 2 $1 chips. Someone could call with 4 .50 chips. If someone wants to call, but happens to be out of .50's and $1's, they could call by putting in a single $5 chip, and getting $3 back from the other players' bets (AFTER all betting is complete). It's like playing with actual cash, but the chips easier to keep track of, they look pretty in stacks, and they're fun to shuffle.

Would this breakdown be the same for $.50/1 game? If so then I would need to buy
100 x 0.50 chips
200 x $1 chips
100 x $5 chips
20 x $25 chips?

You think that would work for 8 player game and to make sure there is enough in the bank?
Thinking of buying maybe outlaw chips for now until I get my CPC design and inlay done.

 

[Beakertwang]

Would this breakdown be the same for $.50/1 game? If so then I would need to buy
100 x 0.50 chips
200 x $1 chips
100 x $5 chips
20 x $25 chips?

You think that would work for 8 player game and to make sure there is enough in the bank?
Thinking of buying maybe outlaw chips for now until I get my CPC design and inlay done.

Not a bad breakdown. Is $1200 enough bank for your group? If not, add some more $25’s, and/or maybe another rack of $5’s.

And thanks for sticking with us. We weren’t trying to be jerks; just attempting to bridge out initial disconnect.

 

[SeanGecko]

I’m a bit of a jerk. Outlaw 50c is a nice chip! Good choice! @Bluffhunter

 

[Beakertwang]

Also, @Bluffhunter, the Outlaw set seems to be one of the more we’ll-liked inexpensive slugged chips out there. They’d be a decent bridge between your dice chips and a CPC set.

 

[sem0030]

I almost bought Outlaws until I decided it was worth it for me to increase the price range and I fell in love with hot stamps

 

[CantSpellPoker]

Would this breakdown be the same for $.50/1 game? If so then I would need to buy
100 x 0.50 chips
200 x $1 chips
100 x $5 chips
20 x $25 chips?

You think that would work for 8 player game and to make sure there is enough in the bank?
Thinking of buying maybe outlaw chips for now until I get my CPC design and inlay done.

Now we’re talking! Personally, I’d add a rack of $5’s to that breakdown. In a .50/1 game, your $5 chips are gonna get a serious workout. I’d also add a handful of more $25’s just to increase the overall size of the bank.

 

[RichMahogany]

Now we’re talking! Personally, I’d add a rack of $5’s to that breakdown. In a .50/1 game, your $5 chips are gonna get a serious workout. I’d also add a handful of more $25’s just to increase the overall size of the bank.

Follow this advice and get at least 200 $5s. In our games though, at least 300-400 are needed and you should have them in case your game grows

 

[Marius L]

You could also add an extra rack of .50 chips. Im not saying you really need them, but it could just make the shift to the new style of play a bit easier on the players. Considering they are used to having 1000 0.50 chips on the table, lol.

 

[Bluffhunter]

I guess what I’m trying to tell you (what we are all trying to tell you) is that your group is playing poker in a very odd format that’s atypical of how it’s played everywhere else in the world.

I explained that my original group also played things badly, but once I learned a better (more correct) way to organize and host, I implemented some rules and hosted games in a better structure. I lost some of my players, but gained so many more. I also now know how to play poker anywhere, and am comfortable playing with (and against) anyone. Not that I’ll always win, but I won’t look like an idiot (mostly).

You’ve mentioned your game plan involves doing things a certain way because your players are insisting (or “want”) a certain chip... how about this, you’re the host, you provide a great setup, amazing chips, and a solid structure that would translate very well into almost any poker game (casino or otherwise). YOU set the tone. Come here, learn, Teach your players the right way to play. It’ll still be fun. If they are that obtuse and decide they don’t like you anymore, then screw em. They weren’t worth your time anyway.

Please do not buy a custom CPC set to use in your game’s current structure. unless you have tons of money to waste on a disfunctional set of chips.

I saw your blog,
You don't have any $0.50 chips. How do you structure your cash game? Or how would you structure your cash game?
Would you play .50/1 or .25/.50?

 

[SeanGecko]

You could also add an extra rack of .50 chips. Im not saying you really need them, but it could just make the shift to the new style of play a bit easier on the players. Considering they are used to having 1000 0.50 chips on the table, lol.

Great advice

 

[Beakertwang]

I’m sure TriHonda will comment, as well, but I’ll give you my advice.

If you’re trying to play NLHE for $50, I would preferably get quarters, and play .25/.25 blinds, or maybe .25/.50. If you insist on .50 chips, .50/.50 would be ok. I like playing with at least 100 big blinds, but I prefer 200BB starting stacks.

 

[toynoob]

I got through the first page and said no way will I be able to read 4 pages of this nonsense. There is no way this is a real post. Someone is trolling on a whole new level and tilting a bunch of chip hoarders.

 

[CantSpellPoker]

You could also add an extra rack of .50 chips. Im not saying you really need them, but it could just make the shift to the new style of play a bit easier on the players. Considering they are used to having 1000 0.50 chips on the table, lol.

Good idea here. There are still ways to play cash games with lots of chips on the table. We’re not saying you need to use the absolute minimum and toss single chips out there for every bet.

As I said earlier, and others have said as well, I think your best bet is to lower your blinds to .25/.25 or .25/.50.

 

[RichMahogany]

I saw your blog,
You don't have any $0.50 chips. How do you structure your cash game? Or how would you structure your cash game?
Would you play .50/1 or .25/.50?

Not everyone needs fractional chips. Some people might be playing $1$1 or $1/$2.

How you structure your game is up to you and your players. How much are all of you willing to spend on a night of poker at your game?

You can easily solve the problem of which fractional by using a non denominated chip that can be used as either/or. Make sure all your other chips($1/$5/etc) have denominations on them

 

[Beakertwang]

You can easily solve the problem of which fractional by using a non denominated chip that can be used as either/or. Make sure all your other chips($1/$5/etc) have denominations on them

This is great advice.

 

[Bluffhunter]

I’m sure TriHonda will comment, as well, but I’ll give you my advice.

If you’re trying to play NLHE for $50, I would preferably get quarters, and play .25/.25 blinds, or maybe .25/.50. If you insist on .50 chips, .50/.50 would be ok. I like playing with at least 100 big blinds, but I prefer 200BB starting stacks.

Okay, so let's say it is .50/.50 and 200BB starting stacks
Then the breakdown would be:
10 x $5
40 x $1
20 x $.50 /ncv chip
That's 70 chips for $100 buy in

If I was to play .25/.50 game with 200BB then I would need to have a lot more chips
10 x $5
45 x $1
20 x $.25
That's 75 chips, for $100 buy in

.25/.50 game with 200BB for $50 buy in.
5 x $5
20 x $1
20 x $.25
That's 45 chips for $50 buy in.

In previous post you said I should give player 35 chips, should I change the breakdown? and maybe give more $5s?

 

[CantSpellPoker]

Okay, so let's say it is .50/.50 and 200BB starting stacks
Then the breakdown would be:
10 x $5
40 x $1
20 x $.50 /ncv chip

In previous post you said I should give player 35 chips, should I change the breakdown? and maybe give more $5s?

Less $1’s, more $5’s. Maybe even a single $25 for each player.

$100 buy ins at home games are fairly common. I’m sure someone here can chime in on what starting stacks look like in their regular game.

 

[Beakertwang]

Okay, so let's say it is .50/.50 and 200BB starting stacks
Then the breakdown would be:
10 x $5
40 x $1
20 x $.50 /ncv chip

In previous post you said I should give player 35 chips, should I change the breakdown? and maybe give more $5s?

In my example, it was 35. I was just demonstrating that you can be more efficient with your chip usage. This can vary depending on your chip set and personal preference.

Your example would be decent. Make sure your crew is ok buying in for $100 rather than $50.

I agree though—fewer ones, more fives.

 

[beaver]

Okay, so let's say it is .50/.50 and 200BB starting stacks
Then the breakdown would be:
10 x $5
40 x $1
20 x $.50 /ncv chip
That's 70 chips for $100 buy in

If I was to play .25/.50 game with 200BB then I would need to have a lot more chips
10 x $5
45 x $1
20 x $.25
That's 75 chips, for $100 buy in

.25/.50 game with 200BB for $50 buy in.
5 x $5
20 x $1
20 x $.25
That's 45 chips for $50 buy in.

In previous post you said I should give player 35 chips, should I change the breakdown? and maybe give more $5s?

I think 20 chips per denom per player is plenty. When I host .25/.50, I do a $60 max and my starting stacks are:
20x .25
20x $1
7x $5

If I were to do $100 max I would do
20x .25
20x $1
15x $5

Here’s my typical $60 starting stack

 

[Bluffhunter]

Not everyone needs fractional chips. Some people might be playing $1$1 or $1/$2.

How you structure your game is up to you and your players. How much are all of you willing to spend on a night of poker at your game?

You can easily solve the problem of which fractional by using a non denominated chip that can be used as either/or. Make sure all your other chips($1/$5/etc) have denominations on them

Hard to find good chips that have blank or no ncv on them. I like the outlaws but they do not have the NCV or blank one

 

[RichMahogany]

Hard to find good chips that have blank or no ncv on them. I like the outlaws but they do not have the NCV or blank one

It depends on how you define good. I wouldn’t consider the outlaw chips “good” for what I like. Besides, it’s easy to relabel such chips using @Gear labels, a forum sponsor here