Microstakes Starting Stack Query (1 Viewer)

[Doublebassa]

Hi everyone,

I have a home game starting stack query.

Me and my friends (UK) are planning on having a regular microstakes cash game to shoot the breeze and goof about. This is my first time hosting, and even playing, a live cash game so I have no prior experience of what a cash game starting stack should look like. Most often we will play NLHE, if that is relevant.

The stakes will be 1p/2p, 100BB (£2) buy-in and then some reloading that I haven't figured out yet (any advice regarding that appreciated).

I am using crown casino royale chips and want to run some options past the more experienced hosts out there. I am using $1 chips as 1p, $5 as 5p and $25 as 25p, with a few $100 chips as £1 if ever needed.

My thinking is for a 200p (£2) buy-in, either:

20x$1
21x$5
3x$25

or
20 x $1
26 x $5
2 x $25

or
20 x $1
36 x $5

or
40 x $1
32 x $5

Or maybe something completely different that I haven't thought of?

I appreciate absolutely any and all feedback on this set-up, nothing is set in stone.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Thomacetti]

In a 1/2 game, the 1(p) chips are just for blinds and the 5(p) will be the workhorse.

20x$1
21x$5
3x$25

This will work but would prefer

10x$1
18x$5
4x$25

All rebuys in 25(p) chips

 

[tabletalker7]

Before the virus I had a weekly 5c/10c game and a buy in of 100BB ($10) was 20 nickels and 36 quarters. For you I would just use the 20 and 36 option. It makes sure there are plenty of blind chips on the table (very high on my pet peeves list is a game getting delayed because people need change too often just to pay blinds). Handle all rebuys with your 25 chips as there will be plenty of singles and 5 already on the table.

 

[mipevi]

All of your options would of course work, but having 20 x $1’s per player should be well enough (I would not any go lower if the players like limping pre). The casinos in the US would use a lot of $5’s, so you can leave out the $25’s if you want to have more chips on the table. Both options with the $25’s would work fine as well, if I have to choose between them, go with the one with more $5’s as that is your workhorse (as has been stated).

 

[Thomacetti]

When stakes are 1p/2p even if you play with the most nitty players from the whole UK...once the game is flowing it tends to play a bit bigger/deeper.
So while the fiver is your workhorse, you will see plenty of 25p chips in the pot (espec. after some rebuys). That's why I prefer limited blind chips, about 1-2 barrels of workhorse chips but also enough 'big bet' chips.

Often these games end playing 5p/10p blinds

 

[Doublebassa]

Thanks everyone this is just the info I needed and it has really helped me sort what chips I need, what I have that I can get rid of, and my home game is starting to take shape!

 

[Ben8257]

I like your original idea for starting stacks. When playing low stakes there will be plenty of shoves and rebuys, all of those rebuy will be 25p and get plenty of the larger denoms in n play pretty quickly. I agree with @tabletalker7 the constant making change is extremely annoying and slows the game. Have more low denoms in play of the break and it will even out when the rebuys begin. It shouldn't take long unless your players are extremely cheap!! Lol

When it starts 6p should be your average raise. By the second hour if it's not 30p average... tell your guests stop being so damn cheap!!

 

[Beakertwang]

I wouldn’t have more than 100 1’s on the table. Realistically, most bets will be in 5’s after the flop. Give the first five players 20x1, 16x5, 4x25, until all the 1’s are on the table. Later buy-ins make change at the table.

The exception would be if your game is really tight—lots of limping, min bets after the flop, etc. In that case, you may want more 1’s.