Casino Currency

As an alternative to playing with real money, casino players use colored plastic or metal discs, called "chips". This allows the games to proceed quickly and smoothly, as the chips can be collected into stacks and easily counted. Players can buy chips at the cash point (in any currency), or on the gaming tables (in the local currency).

Each casino has its own specific 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 casino to be used at another casino in the group, but it is best to verify this before taking any chips from a casino.
 

Chips Types

There are two types of chips - cash chips and table chips.

Cash Chips

Cash chips are the casino's general currency. They can be used to purchase 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.

Table Chips

Table chips are only used for playing the game on that particular table. Chips from different table can be recognized 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 just 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 let 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.