Poker players covet them; but, how many actually know how to use their chips to their best advantage? Not many, I’d wager. In this article, we’re going to talk a little bit about the chips and some of their strategic benefits.

There are many different types of chips out there. Generally speaking, you’ll probably want a good quality poker chip for learning tricks. Many experts recommend the 11.5 gram chips because they are closest to what is used in the casinos. These chips are more expense than the 9.5 gram chips, so if budget is a big concern, start low and work your way up as you improve. The important thing is to find chips that you like and will want to practice with, right?
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What kinds of benefits do chip tricks offer a poker player? Are they just neat visual tricks and nothing more? Not necessarily. Poker is a game in which you play the player just as much (if not more) than the cards you’re dealt. As a result, chip tricks can enhance your strategy in three very important ways.

1) Distract or intimidate your opponent. If you are playing with your chips, it will remind your opponent, especially if you are the chip leader, just how many chips you do have. If your opponent is watching you play with your chips, he or she is not watching his or her cards. That is to your advantage.

2) Grounding in the game. Poker is all about chips. Whoever has the most chips wins. If you are checking out your chips, then you are reminding yourself what the object of the game is. You may also be able to count your chip stack without garnering too much attention, from the other opponents. This can be especially helpful in those difficult pots in which you’re on the defensive.

3) Assistance in sizing up your opponents. Let’s say you’ve just been check-raised. You’re trying to gauge your opponent’s reaction. If you look him or her dead-on, your opponent may be able to adjust him or herself and keep from giving away his or her tell. Now, if you are playing with your chips and checking out your opponent out of the corner of your eye (which works even better if you’re wearing sunglasses like many of the pros do), he or she may not pick up on it and will give something away. It goes back to the distraction/intimidation factor.

When playing poker, you must remember that you have to use everything to your advantage – including your chips. The ones you use, the way you stack them, the way you play with them – all of these things can give you a leg up over your competition, which will lead to an increase in your stack.

So, let your chips fall where they may but always remember the purpose they serve.