Poker chip colors and values have been an integral part of the game since centuries ago, when gamblers used various tokens in games like poker. In this article, we'll delve into the world of tournament poker chips, exploring their history, types, and values.
Tournament Poker Chip Colors and Values
In a typical major poker tournament, the value of the chip starts at T$25 (or just 25) and increases per standard blind structure. Here's a breakdown of the most common colors and their corresponding values:
- Green: $25
- Black: $100
- Purple or Light Blue: $500
- Yellow or Gold: $1,000
- Orange or Gray: $5,000
- Dark Green or Brown: $25,000
- Pink or Lavender: $100,000
- Red: $500,000
- Light Yellow: $1,000,000
Only in the late stages of very large tournaments, such as the WSOP Main Event, do the higher-valued professional poker chips come into play.
A Brief History of Poker Chips
Centuries ago, gamblers used various tokens, such as tokens, jettons, fiches, mils, checks, or cheques, in games like poker. The modern-day customisable poker chip came into play when saloons and early casinos realized using a standard set of betting chips would prevent misunderstandings between players and dealers.
Clay Poker Chips
Original poker chips were made of clay, but they were brittle and needed frequent replacements. As the years and games progressed, manufacturers began to use clay composite materials with additives to make them more durable. Today's most commonly found chips are made of mineral clay with additives for strength.
Plastic Home Game Chips
Home game chip sets are often made of plastic. The very cheap, original chip sets consisted of very thin, plastic discs. Those transitioned to stronger plastic chips with metal inserts to make them heavier. Manufacturers eventually added some amount of clay to better mimic the look and feel of real casino chips.
Poker Chip Sizes
Over time, the size of casino chips has changed, but it's now consistent in almost all casinos. Poker chips are 39mm in diameter, with only an occasional high-limit chip a little larger – possibly up to 48mm. The standard thickness of a poker chip is 3.5mm. The weight can vary from 7g to 20.5g, though most stay between 8g and 14g.
What is an RFID Poker Chip?
Today's casinos have begun to incorporate RFID poker chips into their rotation. These chips contain radio frequency identification (RFID) using electromagnetic fields for tracking purposes. Manufacturing these chips can be expensive, but using them can prevent theft and help track player action at the tables, as well as dealer performance.
Poker Chip Values FAQs
- What color poker chip is worth the most? In most casinos, the light blue or grey poker chip is worth $100,000, which is the highest chip value available.
- What color poker chip is usually assigned the lowest value? White poker chips are typically assigned the lowest value, usually starting at $1 in casinos.
- Are casino chip colors universal? There is no universally standardized color scheme for the value of poker chips, even though many casinos follow the same system as introduced above. It always makes sense to familiarize yourself with the value of each of the chips used by a casino before buying and placing your bets.
- Do all US casinos use the same color chips? Most US casinos follow the standard poker chips' value and colors, although there are a few exceptions.
- How do casinos verify chips before cashing them? Casinos have various high-tech ways of verifying their chips before cashing them. Some use holograms and color-shifting ink, while other casinos have RFID transmitters, which make them impossible to replicate.
By understanding the values and colors of poker chips, you'll be better equipped to navigate the world of tournament poker and enjoy the game with confidence.