Poker chip values and colours: a simple guide
There’s no single worldwide standard, but many casinos and home games use similar colours: white $1, red $5, green $25, black $100, with purple, yellow or orange for $500 and $1,000. In a casino the value is printed on the chip; in a home game you decide the values before you start.
Common chip colours
Section titled “Common chip colours”| Colour | Typical value |
|---|---|
| White | 1 |
| Red | 5 |
| Blue | 10 |
| Green | 25 |
| Black | 100 |
| Purple | 500 |
| Yellow or orange | 1,000 |
Values can differ between countries and venues, so always check the chip itself or the house rules.
Tournament chips vs cash chips
Section titled “Tournament chips vs cash chips”- Cash game chips are worth real money and can be exchanged at the cashier.
- Tournament chips have no cash value. They only count inside the tournament.
Setting up chips for a home tournament
Section titled “Setting up chips for a home tournament”For 6–8 players, a simple starting stack of 10,000 in chips works well:
| Chip | Value | Per player | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 25 | 8 | 200 |
| Red | 100 | 9 | 900 |
| Green | 500 | 4 | 2,000 |
| Black | 1,000 | 3 | 3,000 |
| Purple | 5,000 | 1 | 5,000 |
| Starting stack | 10,100 |
Start the blinds at 25/50 and raise them every 15–20 minutes. As blinds go up, “colour up” by swapping small chips for larger ones.
Chips and big blinds
Section titled “Chips and big blinds”Remember that what matters in a tournament is not the chip count but how many big blinds you have.
Fun fact
Section titled “Fun fact”The yellow chip in our logo is a nod to the 1,000 chip: every pro started at the bottom, but the chips add up.
What is the most common value of a black poker chip?
Section titled “What is the most common value of a black poker chip?”In many casinos a black chip is worth 100.
Do poker chip colours have a universal value?
Section titled “Do poker chip colours have a universal value?”No. Many venues use similar colours, but values differ; check the chip or house rules.
How many chips do you need for a home poker game?
Section titled “How many chips do you need for a home poker game?”For 6–8 players, a set of 300–500 chips is enough for a tournament with a 10,000 starting stack.
Are tournament chips worth money?
Section titled “Are tournament chips worth money?”No. Tournament chips have no cash value; only cash game chips can be exchanged for money.