# Please explain this poker chip question **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 10, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485 "2004-10-10T17:42:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/21 "2004-10-12T18:05:21Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Some experts consider it a better test of skill than no-limit. While pot-limit is probably considered the game where skill matters the most. No-limit is definitely starting to lost it’s luster imo with so many preflop all-in’s and worse yet calls. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/22 "2004-10-12T19:48:15Z")
But it’s the idiots who make those dumbass all-in moves and call with hideous draws that pay you off more often than not. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/23 "2004-10-12T19:53:17Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > It seems like a lot of the problems cited with plastic chips are due to the serrated edges. Wonder why they don’t just ditch those? You’d still have the lack of weight but at least they’d stack better. They’re serrated to stack better, not worse. Because theose super cheap Hoyle chips are so light, a stack would blow over in mild breeze. The serrations let the chips sort of lock together, giving more stability to the stack. “Real” chips are heavy enough to be immobile. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/24 "2004-10-12T20:07:30Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > But it’s the idiots who make those dumbass all-in moves and call with hideous draws that pay you off more often than not. [slight hijack] I’ve been curious about this, especially watching the non-pro celebrity matches. Are you saying that, even though it’s a very unsophisticated strategy, it is often a winning strategy? It sure seems like it in my admittedly anecdotal observations.[/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/25 "2004-10-12T20:27:11Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > (1) The game is **always always always** no-limit Texas hold-'em. Always. You are never allowed to play draw poker, or 5 card stud, or anything that doesn’t involve flops, turns, and rivers. And what the hell is up with that? What ever happened to stud poker? This Texas Hold-em crap reminds me of playing in fifth grade when every other frappin’ card was wild. Real poker = 5 card stud. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/26 "2004-10-12T22:01:00Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > [slight hijack] > I’ve been curious about this, especially watching the non-pro celebrity matches. Are you saying that, even though it’s a very unsophisticated strategy, it is often a winning strategy? It sure seems like it in my admittedly anecdotal observations.[/slight hijack] It’s a very swingy strategy. Either you make a ton of money, or are gone really quickly. But when you are at a table with, say, five of these goons, and only two or three careful players, then the odds are that at least one goon will hit big, and now you have to deal with a big stack who can afford to throw money around. Bottom line: It’s not something I’d recommend for individuals to try. However, when playing against several people employing this strategy, you lose some of your best weapons. You can’t bluff someone who is willing to call anything with marginal hands, for example. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/27 "2004-10-12T23:07:02Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > But it’s the idiots who make those dumbass all-in moves and call with hideous draws that pay you off more often than not. No doubt. But alot of pros would rather give up some big gains for consistency of return. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/28 "2004-10-13T00:34:19Z")
I’m way glad that **tracer** hijacked this into a discussion of Texas Hold-'em Poker. All this talk of chips was making me want a snack. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/29 "2004-10-13T00:57:01Z")
Believe me, 13.5 gram potato chips are anything but appetizing. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/30 "2004-10-13T00:58:21Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > This Texas Hold-em crap reminds me of playing in fifth grade when every other frappin’ card was wild. What, you don’t like to play “7 card stud, hole cards wild and all like 'em”? Here’s an idea: 6-card stud where you have to make the best **six-card poker hand!** “Hah! My two three-of-a-kinds beats your three pair!” ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/31 "2004-10-13T03:51:31Z")
> [@](#): > > And what the hell is up with that? What ever happened to stud poker? > > This Texas Hold-em crap reminds me of playing in fifth grade when every other frappin’ card was wild. > > Real poker = 5 card stud. Nope. Texas Hold’em requires more skill. There’s a reason why 5-card stud has died out. Now, 7-card stud is a MUCH better game. The additional betting rounds allow a good player to bet more or less as he gains information. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/32 "2004-10-13T03:56:14Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > It’s a very swingy strategy. Either you make a ton of money, or are gone really quickly. But when you are at a table with, say, five of these goons, and only two or three careful players, then the odds are that at least one goon will hit big, and now you have to deal with a big stack who can afford to throw money around. > > Bottom line: It’s not something I’d recommend for individuals to try. However, when playing against several people employing this strategy, you lose some of your best weapons. You can’t bluff someone who is willing to call anything with marginal hands, for example. That’s pretty much it exactly. You can make money even at a table full of them (often referred to as “maniacs”) but it’s hard. You have to tighten up, restrict your play to higher quality starting hands and be prepared to throw away hands which you otherwise wouldn’t. In the long run these sorts of players tend not to do well; they throw money at hands they shouldn’t be anywhere near and the few times they hit are generally far outweighed by the many times they don’t. I was in a single table side game with three of this type out of nine players. I wasn’t getting much of anything in the way of cards so I was holding back. I ended up taking second (and doubling my buy-in) without winning a single pot until there were only four players left because the maniacs kept battling each other and taking chunks out of each other, weakening themselves to the point where the more solid players could pick them off. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/33 "2004-10-13T06:49:41Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > This Texas Hold-em crap reminds me of playing in fifth grade when every other frappin’ card was wild. Why? I’ve never played in a hold-'em game with wild cards. I don’t think anyone does. > [@](#): > > Real poker = 5 card stud. It’s fun, but it’s not a game I’d play seriously. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/34 "2004-10-13T13:02:03Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > And what the hell is up with that? What ever happened to stud poker? > > This Texas Hold-em crap reminds me of playing in fifth grade when every other frappin’ card was wild. > > Real poker = 5 card stud. I could certainly understand how you might think 7-card stud is “real poker,” but certainly not 5. There just isn’t a nice enough range of probable hands to make it interesting. OTOH, after two rounds of 7-card stud, I’m exhausted. already. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/35 "2004-10-13T14:57:40Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > I could certainly understand how you might think 7-card stud is “real poker,” but certainly not 5. There just isn’t a nice enough range of probable hands to make it interesting. OTOH, after two rounds of 7-card stud, I’m exhausted. already. I liked 5-card stud, because it took real intestinal fortitude. Unfortunately, I am horrible at bluffing, and I like to keep my money, so I don’t play poker any more. Actually, I’m horrible at all types of gambling. Back to the OP, I feel chips is chips. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/36 "2004-10-13T15:39:46Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > That’s pretty much it exactly. You can make money even at a table full of them (often referred to as “maniacs”) but it’s hard. You have to tighten up, restrict your play to higher quality starting hands and be prepared to throw away hands which you otherwise wouldn’t. In the long run these sorts of players tend not to do well; they throw money at hands they shouldn’t be anywhere near and the few times they hit are generally far outweighed by the many times they don’t. > > I was in a single table side game with three of this type out of nine players. I wasn’t getting much of anything in the way of cards so I was holding back. I ended up taking second (and doubling my buy-in) without winning a single pot until there were only four players left because the maniacs kept battling each other and taking chunks out of each other, weakening themselves to the point where the more solid players could pick them off. ::blink, blink:: Didn’t we already have this conversation in a pit thread a while back? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/37 "2004-10-13T16:03:50Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > I just bought (and gave it to my wife to give to me for Christmas) a clay composite poker chip assortment in an aluminum case for $60 at Costco. It contains: > > 150 white chips > 150 red chips > 100 blue chips > 50 green chips > 50 black chips > 2 decks of cards (bicycle decks) > 5 red craps style dice > > I’m pretty sure thats the correct counts of chips…if not, I will post again to clarify. Really, really nice. It’s one of those “I gotta haves”. I tried to give a link to Costco, but it’s not on their online shopping site. I love, love, love Costco. I had been in the market for poker chips for awhile, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend the dough for clay chips, so I was thrilled to see the chip set at Costco for a very reasonable price. The chips were all wrapped up, so I wasn’t sure if they were clay or clay composite, but they were certainly heavy enough, so I got 'em. I really like them. They’re not the top of the line, but they’re nice and heavy and feel good in your hand. They don’t sound perfect when you riffle them, but you really can’t beat them for the price. I also noticed that the entire pallet sold out in about 3 days. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/38 "2004-10-13T16:16:03Z")
Since we’re talking about buying chips, I’ll bring to your attention that if you sign up at Party Poker now, you can get a free 300pc 11g set by for playing just 250 raked hands with a minimum deposit of $100. That’s a damn good deal. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/39 "2004-10-13T17:04:56Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > ::blink, blink:: Didn’t we already have this conversation in a pit thread a while back? 🙂 Naw, in the Pit thread I was telling the poker posers who hit with crap over and over in the same session not to lecture like they were lord god king poker. If they’re losing they can lecture all they want. I’ll remember everything they’re saying about why they’re playing their shitty hands the way they’re playing them and use it against them and take even more of their money. Although now that I think about it, I pretty much was just giving out a synthesis of the comments some folks were making in that thread. Must be good advice if I paid attention to it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485/40 "2004-10-13T19:16:08Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > What, you don’t like to play “7 card stud, hole cards wild and all like 'em”? > > Here’s an idea: 6-card stud where you have to make the best **six-card poker hand!** > > “Hah! My two three-of-a-kinds beats your three pair!” Slight correction: In 6-card stud ‘two three-of-a-kinds’ is called a ‘Full House Royale’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-this-poker-chip-question/268485.md?page=3)