Small Chip Denominations

by El Blondie & Marcel Luske
Submitted by: snoopy on Wed, 22/02/2006 - 5:24pm

As 'professional' poker players traveling to many countries, playing in many different tournaments, we encounter many different tournament structures, set-ups and local nuances. After attending a well-run event, it can be disappointing when the next event is not run to the same standard. The following article is not meant to be another whine at tournament directors and organizers. We hope it will be treated as a respectful request for change, and hopefully will be taken as a positive contribution to tournament organisation. This is a sceam from the players though. "Please give us more chips to play with". And it is borne from years of frustration.

In re buy tournaments bringing one big chip for the player who is re-buying is illogical. Most of the time, the player has just gone broke. He has no small chips. The first thing he has to do is obtain change. This takes up the dealers time and annoys the players. Similarly, the winner of the last pot, now becomes the exchange beaurau. This is distracting. We want to play poker not make change.

In Pot Limit tournaments a shortage of small chips regularly causes difficulties. Players constantly call bets with oversize chips. There is then difficulty counting the pot for any potential raise. This leads to dealer mistakes, or perceived mistakes which aren't mistakes, disagreements, dealer abuse and general unhappiness at the table.All of which can be easily avoided.

Most dealers and card room staff will agree that the best way of controlling a pot, is to leave all the bets in front of each player until the betting has finished. This clarity keeps all the players calm, as they can see what is going on. Often though, this practice is just not possible, because there are not enough small chips in play. The dealers have to bring the bets into the middle just so that they can make change. If subsequently there is a raise and a re-raise, there is the inevitable confusion, dealer mistakes, or perceived mistakes which aren't mistakes, disagreements, dealer abuse and general unhappiness at the table. Again, all of which can be easily avoided.

Yes it is also true that we players like to have large stacks of chips in front of us, just because it looks good. But if we are doing well, and have won the chips, why shouldn't we? There are practical disadvantages of having too few small chips in front of you. We often see players bet a 500 chip when really they would have preferred betting 400, but couldn't be bothered with the hassle of getting change. Also, if you should throw in a large chip and verbally declare the size of your bet, players may well get a 'read'. A crack in someone's voice, or a sign of uncertainty is easily given away in your voice.

So the question is, why the shortage of chips? Is it because the tournament organizers or floor people are lazy? Is it because the casino does not have enough small chips? The only sensible argument against having too many chips on the table, is that occasionally it takes slightly longer to count how large someone's bet is. This is a small price to pay for the advantages of having more chips in play.

The truth is that this situation is just not good enough. We are the paying customer. We want, and expect enough chips to enable a smooth flowing game. Surely the costs of chips is small compared to the current levels of entry fees and house percentages ? Increase the amount of small chips. You never know, it might help the tournament run smoother and cut down on those silly arguments.