Chips

Instead of playing with money, players use colored plastic or metal discs, called "chips". This enables the games to run quickly and smoothly, as the chips can be piled up into stacks and easily counted. Players can purchase chips at the cash point (in any currency), or on the gaming tables (in the local currency).

Each casino has its own exclusive set of chips that can only be used in that particular establishment. If a casino is part of a group, it may be possible for cash chips from one location to be used at another casino in the group, but it is best to confirm this before removing any chips from a casino.

There are two types of chips - cash chips and table chips. Cash chips are the casino's general currency. They can be used to buy into any games, place bets, pay for food and drinks and to tip the staff. Each chip is marked with the cash value, the name of the casino and the casino's logo. Cash chips are often referred to by their color. For example, in London casinos 5 pound chips are called reds, 25 pounds chips are blacks, 100 pounds chips are pinks, and 1 pound chips are referred to as singles.

Lower denomination chips are disc-shaped (round). Higher denomination chips, called "plaques" or "biscuits", are rectangular or oval. On leaving the casino, all cash chips are usually returned to the cash point to be exchanged for money or a check.

2 Types - Table Chips

Table chips are only used for playing the game on that particular table. Chips from different table can be distinguished by the colors and designs printed on them. They are not valid at other tables but may be used for tipping staff. To buy table chips you simply place your money or cash chips on the table, making sure they are not on the betting layout, and ask the dealer for "color". The dealer will give you table chips to the corresponding value. For ease of handling and counting, table chips are kept in stacks of 20. To prove that the correct number of chips is being handed over the dealer will cut the a stack into four piles of five chips, and spread out one of the piles to show five single chips. Before leaving a gaming table, ask the dealer to exchange your table chips for cash chips.

Some casinos allow players to bet by placing cash directly onto the betting layout. The dealer exchanges it for a specific marker, announcing "money plays". If a cash bet wins it will be paid out in chips.