Home game chips: Why denominate at all? (3 Viewers)

[Taghkanic]

For several years now, I’ve hosted a twice-monthly home game which uses two different sets of Paulson Starburst THCs, one for the tourney, one for the subsequent cash game.

Neither set has any tourney or cash value markings. And it is not an issue.

The regs know our color scheme by heart; and any new players learn it usually learn within one orbit. (Honestly, a player who can’t keep these values in their head is probably someone who I don’t want in the game, anyway, as they are likely also fail to remember the blinds, who’s dealing, who’s turn it is to act, etc.).

I do have cards printed up with the chip values, but I rarely if ever have to pull them out.

One useful part of non-denoms (like Starbursts) is that you can assign any value you want to them. You can change the stakes; you can swap in a new color chip, or add a color, without having to find that exact denomination.

I understand that values/dollar amounts are part of the chip design tradition... and probably casinos are required to have the denom clearly indicated on the chip face. I just am not sure what real need there is for them in home games. Am I missing something?

 

[detroitdad]

because I like them. I also use different color schemes depending on which set is in play.

 

[JustinInMN]

Well casinos have to denominate because they are literally "checks" meaning redeemable for cash.

I think that practice is popular here for home sets for two reasons.

1. They want to have the same sort of security
2. It is one less bit of confusion.

Sounds like your crew is smart enough where the second isn't an issue.

The first might become an issue if you really do change the values of your chips. Say a chip that stands for a quarter goes missing one night, but in another game that chip stands for 20 and someone finds the chip on the floor. All of a sudden the bank has to eat that, and this could happen completely on accident with no one deliberately doing anything wrong.

 

[Taghkanic]

because I like them. I also use different color schemes offending which set is in play.

OK, sure... But why do you like them? Or is that like asking why some people like toast for breakfast, while others prefer bagels—they just do?

Personally, my eye finds denoms a little annoying: They clutter up the design with superfluous info, since I’m never going to sit in any new game for more than 90 seconds without memorizing the denoms instinctively by color alone... And I pretty much only play in private games where I can become a reg, so this is a one-time thing.

 

[Highli99]

My CPC set does not have denominations and it hasn't been an issue in STTs. In MTTs there are more people who get confused. I use standard colors which helps a little.

The main reason I decided against denominations when I did my set was to have cash/tournament flexibility. I now understand the security risk that can create and only use the non-denominational set for tournaments. If you have separate sets already that is less of an issue.

All future sets I get will have denominations.

 

[Taghkanic]

The first might become an issue if you really do change the values of your chips. Say a chip that stands for a quarter goes missing one night, but in another game that chip stands for 20 and someone finds the chip on the floor. All of a sudden the bank has to eat that, and this could happen completely on accident with no one deliberately doing anything wrong.

Well, if I alter the denoms, the base colors are pretty much going to remain the same. I’m thinking more of scenarios where one might add a new value (say in a game that used to be 1/2, but bumps down to .50/1, or a $2 chip to a 1/2 game that bumped up to 2/5), or a new high-denom chip when I do my twice-annual bigger tourneys, and I need a 50K chip beyond the usual 10K max. With non-denoms like Starbursts, I can have extra chip colors on hand and decide at any time to add or subtract colors, no need to have the right amount marked on them.

But, even in a hypothetical scenario where a .25 chip were to became a $20 one then yes, I might have to eat the $19.75 one time... and that would not be the end of the world. (I would have the sense not to turn a quarter into a $500 chip.) It is also my responsibility as a host to account for chips between games—no one has ever taken chips home, and I’d notice if racks that were full suddenly were light...

A real-world example might be when a new reg joined the game who was colorblind. It turned out that he could not distinguish two of the colors. So I was able on the fly to swap out one color for another I had in my cabinet, right then and there, and solve the problem immediately. I did not have to have duplicate chips marked with that precise denomination.

 

[Perthmike]

It probably sounds a bit stupid, but I don’t think I could bring myself to put a non-denominated chip into play. I hate seeing them on the table.

I don’t think a denom looks any better on the chip, so it’s not a design thing.

The closest thing I can think of to explain why I feel this way is that I think it’s one of my basic expectations of a chip. To me it would be like trying to buy a new car only to find out that it doesn’t have any tyres on it.

Maybe I’m just ocd.

Edit. Also I think it comes down to the fact that most of us aren’t buying chips for flexibility and practical uses. No one needs as many chips as most of us have. I want lots of chips with lots of denoms.

 

[bigdonkey]

For several years now, I’ve hosted a twice-monthly home game which uses two different sets of Paulson Starburst THCs, one for the tourney, one for the subsequent cash game.

Neither set has any tourney or cash value markings. And it is not an issue.

The regs know our color scheme by heart; and any new players learn it usually learn within one orbit. (Honestly, a player who can’t keep these values in their head is probably someone who I don’t want in the game, anyway, as they are likely also fail to remember the blinds, who’s dealing, who’s turn it is to act, etc.).

I do have cards printed up with the chip values, but I rarely if ever have to pull them out.

One useful part of non-denoms (like Starbursts) is that you can assign any value you want to them. You can change the stakes; you can swap in a new color chip, or add a color, without having to find that exact denomination.

I understand that values/dollar amounts are part of the chip design tradition... and probably casinos are required to have the denom clearly indicated on the chip face. I just am not sure what real need there is for them in home games. Am I missing something?

This is absolutely true. But these people are my friends and family. They are there to socialize and chase inside straight draws. If I can't be bothered to add denoms to make a more pleasurable experience for them, I'd kind of consider myself an asshole. It makes it easier on me too, not having to repeat the denoms every 12 seconds.

I certainly don't need them, and if you're at a serious poker game full of regs, I agree they are superfluous.

But, I find them much more visually appealing. A design with no denom looks incomplete to me. So, yes, a toast/bagel situation.

ETA - MOAR Chipes!!!! Who wants to use one chip for multiple denoms, when you can buy multiple chips of one denom?

 

[slurpeee]

Even with denominations, there’s always that one person who asks “What’s every color worth?”

That warm fuzzy feeling one gets by answering “It’s on the chip dumbass!” is incredibly satisfying. It is a chippers mic drop moment.

Those who have been there know what I’m talking about.

 

[FDLmold]

I recently started a game. Neighbor comes over for the first time, gets his chips, shuffles them a little, and I can tell he likes the quality. Then he says, "Good, your chips have the value on them. I like that.".

 

[CdnBeerLover]

We have players who are colour blind, so denominations are helpful for those players.

 

[Taghkanic]

We have players who are colour blind, so denominations are helpful for those players.

I actually now have two colorblind players in my game... But they play easily with my non-denom chips, because I worked with them on colors they can both distinguish. (There are multiple varieties of coloblindness.)

Also, there are other ways besides denominations that chips can be distinguished by the colorblind: Progressive edgespots, shaped inlays/labels, label design variations, etc.

 

[Frogzilla]

“How much are the blues worth again”

 

[Taghkanic]

I recently started a game. Neighbor comes over for the first time, gets his chips, shuffles them a little, and I can tell he likes the quality. Then he says, "Good, your chips have the value on them. I like that.".

But will he actually need these the next time?

Really, I don’t find that even the most... limited players really need these numerical cues. People recognize chip colors far more readily than 14-point type. When trying to assess the size of the pot before callling a raise, no one says “can you spread the pot so I can read the type?”

I can always give a newbie a cheat sheet if necessary to remind them of the values.

Anyway, I just couldn’t handle playing with someone who couldn’t remember chip values after a few orbits, or less. So maybe I’m using this as a new player filter...

 

[WedgeRock]

Wait, I thought all chips were the same value.

 

[allforcharity]

I think non-denom chips can be used well in all sorts of scenarios, but I think one of the scenarios which may be used most commonly is as a frac for cash games. Most people have denominated chips for anything that's $1 or above. But put one or two colours of non-denoms into play (especially solids!), and you've got flexible fracs to use for your game. Maybe you just need half-dollars. Maybe one night you just need quarters. Maybe you've got some microstakes action going on and you need a dime, or a nickel and a quarter at the same time. Something non-denom that you can apply a value to at the spur of the moment gives good flexibility. And the chips can be just as good looking, too!

 

[Old State]

I used denominations on my custom ASMs because I wanted casino looking chips and hated people constantly asking was the value was. To my dismay people still ask despite the denomination being clearly marked! I only made one color, blue, without denominations to be used as a $.25 or $10 chip ...or anything if ever needed.

Honestly, using standard color and monetary units is more important to me. It’s a personal pain point. It perpetually irks me playing in a back yard dice chip tournament where the host has white $25, red $50s, green $100s, black $500s, and blue $1000s...oh and my favorite (next to the $50) the $2500 chip.

 

[FDLmold]

But will he actually need these the next time?

That depends on how much alcohol he has consumed.

 

[Beakertwang]

Wait, I thought all chips were the same value.

This only applies to dice chips.

 

[detroitdad]

OK, sure... But why do you like them? Or is that like asking why some people like toast for breakfast, while others prefer bagels—they just do?

Personally, my eye finds denoms a little annoying: They clutter up the design with superfluous info, since I’m never going to sit in any new game for more than 90 seconds without memorizing the denoms instinctively by color alone... And I pretty much only play in private games where I can become a reg, so this is a one-time thing.

I think a cash chip looks better, and is improved with a denomination on it. I think they look "classier" with denoms than without. If I'm going with non denom chips I might as well go with dice chips.

 

[sem0030]

Even with denominations, there’s always that one person who asks “What’s every color worth?”

That warm fuzzy feeling one gets by answering “It’s on the chip dumbass!” is incredibly satisfying. It is a chippers mic drop moment.

Those who have been there know what I’m talking about.

It's a home game tradition like no other!

 

[DoubleEagle]

If I'm going with non denom chips I might as well go with dice chips.

^^That!

Never been a fan of non-denoms. They’re like road signs with no lettering.

 

[ChipEnvy]

I like denominations on my chips because I try to get my game as close to a casino experience as possible in a better environment with friends.

Why do we all covet Paulson chips? It’s because they are the industry standard. Industry standard also dictates chips have denoms on them.

I’m curious as to why you have two sets of non-denominated chips used specifically for cash and tourney? I think the coolest thing about that type of chip is their versatility and two sets seems redundant. Don’t get me wrong, everyone should collect what they like, so there is no right way to do it, I’m just curious.

 

[jazzV3]

I don't like playing with non-denominated chips on the table.

They just lay there, struggling with identity issues, a profound lack of sense of self, and no self esteem.
They scream, "WHO AM I???"
I scream back, "IMPOSTERS - PRETENDERS!!"

Na....not for me.

 

[DJ_Fett]

I’ve played with groups who are (mostly) good enough players to learns the colors and be familiar with standard colors and not have the need for denoms.

I’ve also played with groups that (again, mostly) can’t function without demons and need their hands held.

For me personally, it’s a less competitive but much more fun group with the latter, so I went with denoms

 

[kmccormick100]

I have both a Cali colored cash set (yellow $5, black $20, white $100) and a traditional color (red $5, green $25, black $100) for variety and because I love the different color combos and the denoms make swapping sets in a regular game not problematic.

I’m also a designer by background and appreciate the beauty of a good inlay/hotstamp from an aesthetic standpoint.

Lastly, I think a lot of us got into premium chips because it lends as authentic a casino feel as possible to our home games (paired with casino grade cards and hi quality tables) and denominations are a feature of casino chips, in addition to a lot of people prefering actual casino-used chips.

 

[kmccormick100]

Ps - I’ve played in $2/5 games with dice chips where we had $12k+ on the table and I refused to go back until my buddy the host introduced some more secure chips, if we don’t know and explicitly trust the players, it’s a huge security risk IMO.

 

[Beakertwang]

Two sister casinos near me, Rhythm City in Bettendorf, IA, and Riverside in Riverside, IA, both have non-denominated tourney chips, in non standard colors, no less. IIRC, green 25, blue 100, pink 500, and maybe orange 1000? PITA!

I like denoms as they eliminate confusion, but mostly because they make my home game look and feel more legit.

 

[Lash]

Id rather a cluttered up denom than the same hotstamp across every chip I owned.

 

[BGinGA]

I prefer denominations, mostly because they are more authentic, and lend to less confusion in play. A single no-denom chip can add flexibility to a set, but I wouldn't want an entire line-up of them. Good Fixed-Limit sets can get by with just two chips, and making them both no-denom allows the set to be used at different times for different stakes. But an entire cash or tourney set with no denominations? No way.

Personally, I think the simplistic starburst hot-stamp design is butt-ugly. It is, after all, a cancellation stamp -- intemded to mark the death of a true denominated chip.