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.
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.