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Home Poker Tournaments - Chip Races

The poker tournament usually starts with each player with their own stack of chips at the lowest denomination. The dealer will pay each player with blinds as the game progresses.

Normally as the game progresses, the blinds increase making it uneasy for players because their chips are not improving. Blinds are often around $75 and $150, and shelling fifteen $10 chips for a big blind is inconvenient.

The chips will be removed from play when their value does not meet the required amount to pay the rest of the blinds. It is likely these chips will be cashed for a much higher denomination chip. If one player comes to possess the odd chips, he could ignore it or he could put it all in an all-in. Some players would just gather all the small denomination chips then cashes them. Or he can race off those smaller denomination chips for the smallest value. Chip races begin with a player in the dealer's position who has odd chips. If he has three of which, he will get three cards faced up. The round continues until all players have exchanged their odd chips for cards.

The accumulated chips will be totaled and the pile with the same value will be made using the next higher chip and it will be set aside to be used as award at the end of the race. If in case the numbers don't match they will be rounded up and the difference will be awarded.

Whoever has the highest card will receive one chip, then the next player with second highest, and so on. Each of the players will only receive a chip and all his cards will be taken.

In chip race, no player is eliminated from the tournament. Even if one player has a small chip, it can be exchanged for a card. If he will lose in the chip race, he will be given additional chip to keep him in the tournament.

The tournament could be fun, but sometimes it bores other players. However, try to improvise and make the game fun and entertaining. Always keep it light and cool in order to enjoy the game.