Chip Breakdown for .25/.50
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 49
I have recently seen the light and am selling off all my old Dice, Las Vegas Laser and Bicycle 12 stripe chips to get a nicer set. Im looking at the blank Claysmith Double Trapezoids (to be customized with labels at a later date).
I run/play a small monthly .25/.50 non raked fun home cash game with guys from work. Average about 5-9 people show up. No one is too serious and the buy-ins vary greatly, from $20(min.) with no reload, to $50(max.) with potential reloads.
This being said, I think I should get a set that will cover if I ever get swamped by a full 10 players and they all want multiple reloads. I also think I should get a set that will be able to grow if our game ever does.
So
$50.00 buy-in breakdown:
25’
x 20 = $5
$1
.. x 20 = $20
$5
.. x5 = $25
For 10 people @ $50 I would need a minimum of 200 quarters, 200 dollars and 50 $5 ($500 on the table) to start. If we add a couple of reloads (each) we end up with $1,500.
Now I know this will never actually happen in my game, but heres what I was thinking, to be covered
200 x quarters, 200 x dollars, 50 x $5 and add 50 x $20 for reloads. This will make reloading with $20 bills easy and add an additional $1,000 in reloads (which will never happen). Players can make change at the table and it also nicely rounds out the set to an even 500 chips. This brings the set to $1,500 face value.
Am I on the right track here?
Cheers,
Mr.Bl4ck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 22,537
Hello! Here's what I recommend for a one-table game at these stakes:
100 x 25c
300 x $1
200 x $5
That's over $1300. If you like, add another rack of $5s. I don't like $20s or $25s because they're not as fun, late in the night, as a bunch of $5s. If you're lucky enough to run out of chips, you can let $20s and $100s play on the table. You absolutely do not need more than 100 quarters on the table.
...
Don't worry about breaking down exact buy-ins. Here's how I do it:
First five players receive a stack of quarters ($5), a stack of dollars ($20), and fives to cover the remainder. Players after that receive stacks of dollars. Change makes its way around the table. If people have difficulty with it, sell yourself the first buy-in, so that you can quickly make change for people who seem confused.
The goal is to get rid of your quarters and dollars as quickly as possible, and use fives for the rebuys. But since the first five people are getting a stack of quarters, it's time-consuming to cut out thirty-five dollars for a $40 buy-in.
This way your chips stay in nice even racks, and you don't have to worry about breaking them down ahead of time.
...
Raise your cap to $60. Fifties are unlucky for poker (not that I believe in it), and are also cumbersome (I totally believe in that). A $50 bill doesn't divide evenly to $20s, and making change from a stack of $20s for someone who's buying in with a $100 can run into problems.
Good luck and have fun!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,791
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 49
Thanks guys,
I've read tons of your posts and have to respect the opinions!
I'll let you know what I finally buy!
Cheers,
Mr.Bl4ck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,365
Yes forget the chips over $5 value. Most of us in our game like to stack up our bright yellows (fools gold) if we actully can win lol. Also I make up just 10 $20 startup trays to begin with. 20 .25 blacks, 10 $1 reds, and 1 $5 yellow. If someone wants more than $20 we add yellows. All reloads are are usually yellows. Change is made off the various player stacks between hands or after folds. Once your players get used to making change it is not a delay. Our game is over 6 years old and has become a weekly event after every two weeks for a while, so our chip system works OK for us. Best of luck with yours.
