Chip Counting

I've never played live poker, does it take a long time to estimate the number of chips the players have and are there any short cuts to determine how much is in a players chip stack?

Most players will stack chips twenty to a stack. Most casinos have $1 as white or light blue, $5 as red, $25 as green, and $100 as black. Color variations exist from casino to casino.
20 white chips is $20
20 red chips is $100
20 green chips is $500
Never be afraid to ask for a players chip count. The player isn't required to speak but must make his chips available to the dealer for counting.

TonyTwoCheeks said:

Most players will stack chips twenty to a stack. Most casinos have $1 as white or light blue, $5 as red, $25 as green, and $100 as black. Color variations exist from casino to casino.
20 white chips is $20
20 red chips is $100
20 green chips is $500

Large denominations belong on top or out front.​

Never be afraid to ask for a players chip count. The player isn't required to speak but must make his chips available to the dealer for counting.

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I've never heard or seen a dealer count a players chips. My understanding was you had to let any player see your chips well enough to see them all but you were under no obligation to give an exact count or have dealer do so, unless you are betting allin, then of course players are obv allowed to get exact count. I'm curious to know if this is case.

Back to op, as prev post said most players stack their chips either 20 or 10 high, pretty easy to estimate imo

Ask for a count like Tony said if you can't work it out yourself.

:top:

tomk7788 said:

I've never played live poker, does it take a long time to estimate the number of chips the players have and are there any short cuts to determine how much is in a players chip stack?

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I try to keep track of my opponents' big denomination chips and number of 20-chip stacks (stacks could be other than 20). If you ask a player how much they have in front of them - they are not obligated to say anything. But, they must allow you to see their stack and the big denomination chips must be in front or on top of the stack as Tony stated. Now, if that same player moves all-in...then you should ask the dealer for an accurate count.


You can ask the dealer how much Seat 5 has in front of them - but that will also just be an estimate.
Most players will just tell you if you ask as a courtesy. "Hey Seat Two - how many $100 bills do you have behind your chips stack?"

Good luck !

I'm sure there's a learning curve but it looks difficult to keep track of.

Chips

Hey,guys!What are the chip's value.Colours?How to count them fast and also if you could give me some notes?

Chip colors can vary from casino to casino. The most common scheme I've seen is this:
$1 - White
$5 - Red
$25 - Green
$100 - Black
$500 - Purple
$1000 - Orange

But I know Commerce in LA has yellow $5 chips for example so these can vary from room to room.

The easiest way to count them is to use smaller portions of stacks. The standard chip stack is 20 chips high so 20 reds would be $100. Many people will break it down in smaller stacks of 4 or 5 chips and match up 3 stacks of 5 for example to count to $75 in red chips. If you keep the stacks 5 or shorter they are easier to count from across the table so the game will run faster. So count in stacks of 20 or stacks of 5 or less to be more efficient. Otherwise other players will always be asking how much is that? Since they cant tell if it's a stack of 8 or 9 or 10 chips. Then the dealer has to count and it just slows everything down.

madjek said:

I've never heard or seen a dealer count a players chips. My understanding was you had to let any player see your chips well enough to see them all but you were under no obligation to give an exact count or have dealer do so, unless you are betting allin, then of course players are obv allowed to get exact count. I'm curious to know if this is case.

Back to op, as prev post said most players stack their chips either 20 or 10 high, pretty easy to estimate imo

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This is true, the dealer will not count out a stack that is not in play just so you know how much someone has. The dealer will force players to make big denomination chips visible in front. As a player you'll have to estimate and if the stacks are 20 or so it shouldn't be too tough. If there is a bet in the pot then you can ask the dealer for an exact count. Some players stack very high stacks which may be the toughest to estimate but I think most can get a close enough idea to make the proper decision.

tomk7788 said:

I'm sure there's a learning curve but it looks difficult to keep track of.

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It's not as difficult as it sounds. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Just don't get too nervous. If you're taking too long to estimate someone else at the table will likely chime in and help out. Don't let this get you flustered or make you feel rushed. You're playing for real money so take your time and make the best decision you can. Tougher to count the pot in my opinion than a players stack. Easiest way there is to remember the action and add it up on each street since it's just one big pile of chips.

The best way to find out how many chips a player has, as said before, is to simply ask for a chip count.

Even if you're an expert in knowing how much a chip color is worth, the truth of the matter is that not everyone has 20/20 eyesight, or an opponent might have towers of chips... Asking is easier, faster and more precise than taking guesses.

Pimp 007 x said:

The best way to find out how many chips a player has, as said before, is to simply ask for a chip count.

Even if you're an expert in knowing how much a chip color is worth, the truth of the matter is that not everyone has 20/20 eyesight, or an opponent might have towers of chips... Asking is easier, faster and more precise than taking guesses.

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You are under no obligation to give a chip count of you stack and dealers won't count anyone's stack. You only can get dealer to count chips that are bet

I for one will give a rough estimate when asked like around 150,000 or what not. But I always keep my chips in stacks of 20 and leave the larger denominations in front. So after a while you'll be able to have a good idea what they have. Also sometimes it is a good idea to ask if they have any big chips behind their stack cause some players will. I was playing 1-2 at foxwoods and a player went all in a guy asked for a count and he said 2 20 stacks of 5$ chips so the guy called thinking he was calling off 200. The player had 2 black and 3 green chips hidden behind so it was actually 475. The dealer called the floor and the caller was forced to pay the 475 because he called the all in. The villain was just warned to keep his big chips visible. So just always beware of stacks...

madjek said:

I've never heard or seen a dealer count a players chips. My understanding was you had to let any player see your chips well enough to see them all but you were under no obligation to give an exact count or have dealer do so, unless you are betting allin, then of course players are obv allowed to get exact count. I'm curious to know if this is case.

Back to op, as prev post said most players stack their chips either 20 or 10 high, pretty easy to estimate imo

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I'll admit that I'm speaking from logic rather than experience here. But I know that as a player you don't have to speak or answer. At that point, a player in seat 2 has to have some recourse to get an answer. Especially if you're up against a player in seat 7 or 8. I mean it's like 7 feet away. I have glasses...not binoculars. Additionally, I've seen other players with real sight problems, they have to have some recourse.

tomk7788 said:

I've never played live poker, does it take a long time to estimate the number of chips the players have and are there any short cuts to determine how much is in a players chip stack?

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It takes very little time to calculate. You will learn quickly and by experience I think we are much more concentrated.

If you ask, sometimes you can detect a bluf. For example if hes really nervous. So dont be afraid.