The History of Poker Chips

Ah, poker chips. Those colourful little discs of fun that we stack, shuffle and slide across the poker table like we're in a blockbuster Hollywood movie. 

Poker chips may be tiny, but these things have the power to separate the big ballers from the folks keeping a close eye on their online casino bankroll, and pack plenty of punch. Unless you're an exclusive online poker player, chances are you've handled a poker chip or two before. 

But have you ever stopped mid-bluff to wonder - where did these bad boys come from? Well, saddle up, because we're about to dive into the surprisingly fascinating history of poker chips! 

The Wild West: When Anything Could Be a Chip  

Back when poker was first invented in the 1800s, playing was a wild ride, with gamblers using anything they liked to represent a bet. We're talking gold nuggets, coins, animal pelts and random personal items. Cowboys could even bet their horse if they really wanted to up the stakes. 

Naturally, this led to some issues, like folks arguing over whether their pile of gold dust was worth more than another player's silver coins. And since nobody likes math (especially early day cowboy gamblers in the Wild West), saloons and gambling houses decided it was time to standardize the system. 

Enter our star player: the poker chip. 

The First Poker Chips: Fancy, Fragile, and the OG in Casino Currency 

In the 1800s, the first real poker chips were made from materials like ivory, bone, wood, and compressed clay - because nothing says 'this is a serious game' like gambling with pieces made especially. 

These early poker casino chips were usually simple, but some poker players hoping to elevate the experience (or their image) opted for chips with carvings or markings to demonstrate their value. 

But, because humans have always loved finding new ways to win, counterfeiting became a big issue as players took to sneaking their handmade chips into their stacks before asking to cash out. 

We know, we know, part of the fun of playing poker is the thrill of seeing who'll win fair-and-square. So, gambling establishments decided to step in by stamping chips with custom designs to prevent would-be thieves from bringing in counterfeits. Spoiler alert: People still tried. 

The Plastic Takeover: Affordable, Durable, and Slightly Disappointing 

Fast forward to the 20th century, and plastic poker chips crash the party. Cheap, long-lasting, and mass-producible - what's not to love? Well, for one, they don't have the same satisfying weight as wood or clay chips, making them the fast food of the poker world: convenient but a little soulless. 

That's why real land-based casinos (and people who take their poker night very seriously) use high-quality clay-composite or ceramic chips instead. These casino chips have the right feel, the right look and the right sound – meaning they're just right for making you feel like a badass while playing a poker game.

Modern Poker Chips: Security Features Stronger Than the White House 

Today's poker chips aren’t just colorful hunks of clay and ceramic! Nuh-uh. These things are mini fortresses of anti-counterfeit technology. UV markings, embedded microchips, intricate inlays – brick-and-mortar casinos go all out to make sure no one's slipping in fake chips. 

Check out some of the top ways casinos stop would-be fraudsters: 

Consistency

All the best tricks are simple, and casinos agree! See, to reduce the risk of counterfeit chips making it into a poker prize pot, casinos will ensure all their chips are identical – right down to the tiniest detail. This makes it easier to spot any fakes should they appear.  

Weight & Feel

Real casino poker chips have a distinct weight and texture that's nearly impossible to replicate with cheap knockoffs. If a chip feels even slightly off, trained live casino game dealers and security staff will spot it in an instant. 

Unique Inlays & Edge Spots

Remember we said gambling establishments like to brand their poker chips with custom designs? That isn't just a cool marketing trick, bud. Lots of casinos will design their chips with hard-to-replicate inlays and edge spots (the patterns along the chip’s outer edge) to make duplication even harder.  

UV & Infrared Markings

Kicking things up a gear is the use of UV and infrared markings. These can only be seen under special lights, adding an extra layer of security and helping the casino staff working the cash-out desks to spot counterfeits instantly. 

RFID Technology

Some high-end casinos embed tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips inside their high-value poker chips. This means that each chip can be tracked in real time, preventing thieves from swapping in fakes and ensuring that every chip in play is legit. 

Serial Numbers & Color Coding

Some casinos go even further by assigning serial numbers to high-value chips, keeping a record of each one in circulation. Plus, every casino has its own custom colors and patterns, meaning you can't just walk in with a generic £5 chip and expect it to pass. 

And if someone does manage to sneak in counterfeit chips? Well, that spells big trouble. Try this move and you could face charges for breaking fraud laws, plus a ban from playing at any of the land-based casino establishments or online casino sites owned by the gambling company that you tried to cheat. 

Poker Chips in Pop Culture: The Real MVPs of Every Action Movie 

Poker chips aren't just for gambling anymore. They've become iconic symbols of risk, reward and thrills. 

These small pieces of casino currency have been tossed dramatically in movies, used as plot devices in nearly every Vegas action movie ever, and flicked across the table in home poker game nights where Steve from Accounting always goes ‘All in’ on a pair of twos. Seriously, Steve – you've gotta brush up on your poker hand rankings. 

Nowadays, y'all can buy poker sets containing chips in all the colours under the rainbow, with plenty of designs and custom options to choose from. 

Keen to see your face on your own poker chip? You betcha! There are even World Series of Poker chips available to buy too.

Just take a browse online and you'll find a whole world out there, folks. 

TLDR: Key things to take away from today's read 

• Poker chips exist because gamblers and gambling establishments needed a fixed form of currency. And fewer arguments while playing. 
• Ivory and clay chips ruled the 1800s, plastic took over later, and casinos got paranoid. For good reasons. 
• If you're bringing your own poker chips to a game, you're either an artist, carrying the agreed chips for all the players, or in big trouble. 
• Modern casinos treat poker chips like the big bucks sitting in a bank – because, let's be honest, they kind of are. 

Experience the fun of poker today 

Now that you know the history of the chips, keen to start playing? You're in the right place. Forget booking a flight to the States or heading to your local. With our epic collection of online poker games, y'all can experience all the thrill of poker chips for yourself. 

Become a Bally Casino member and you'll find a whole suite of American-style poker tables sitting pretty on our online casino floor. We're taking classic Texas Hold'em poker, live poker tournaments, free poker games and more - all offering real money prizes and thrills.

Just hit that ‘JOIN NOW’ button to dive in. Go on, it's right there. 

Check out the Bally Casino blog for more insights into popular online casino games from the top writers in the business, including live dealer casino titles and jackpot slots.