Casino & Table Games
Casino chips
Casino chips are small discs or tokens that replace cash at gaming tables, making bets easier to place and settle.
- Also called
- poker chips, gaming tokens, checks/cheques, casino tokens; large high-stakes versions are gaming plaques1
- Typical size
- about 39 mm wide2
- Typical weight
- casino-quality chips are 9 to 11 grams6
- Common colour values (Las Vegas)
- $1 white/blue, $5 red, $25 green, $100 black, $500 purple, $1,000 yellow5
Key points
- Chips are a substitute for cash at the table, letting players place bets more easily on the layout or in the pot.34
- The casino assigns value through colour or printed denomination; winnings and losses are settled in chips or cash depending on the game and house rules.25
- In some jurisdictions, such as Nevada, the casino retains legal ownership of the chips until they are redeemed by a legitimate patron.6
- Chips are used across table games including craps, poker, roulette and blackjack.3
Common chip colour values in Las Vegas
| Colour | Value |
|---|---|
| White or blue | $1 |
| Red | $5 |
| Green | $25 |
| Black | $100 |
| Purple | $500 |
| Yellow | $1,000 |
How chips work at the table
Players buy chips at the casino cage or directly at the table with cash. The chips are then used to place bets on games like craps, poker and roulette.34 After a hand or round, the dealer settles bets by awarding chips for wins and collecting them for losses. Chips can be cashed out at the cage for money, though the casino retains legal ownership until redemption in some jurisdictions.6
Common questions
What are casino chips made of?
Modern casino chips are typically made from a clay composite or ceramic material. Some high-end chips include a metal insert for weight and durability.
What do casino chips look like?
What are casino chips called?
They are also called poker chips, gaming tokens, checks or cheques. Large high-stakes versions are known as gaming plaques.1
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Casino gambling chips — a phrase that can emphasise the gambling-token function rather than the venue object
- Casino max free chip — a promotional non-negotiable chip, not a standard cash-equivalent chip
- Casino — the venue itself, not the gaming token
Related terms
Sources
- Casino chip en.wikipedia.org Provides the core definition and alternative names for casino chips.
- Glossary of poker terms en.wikipedia.org Supplies typical chip size and weight figures.
- Craps en.wikipedia.org Confirms chip use in craps and as a cash substitute.
- Betting in poker - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Supports chip use in poker betting.
- Ask The Wizard #351 wizardofodds.com Provides common Las Vegas chip colour values and how value is assigned.
- Casinos - FAQ - Wizard of Odds wizardofodds.com Gives casino-quality chip weight and notes on legal ownership in Nevada.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.