Recently, I was visiting a friend’s home, and the poker topic came up. He asked me if I could play poker without having to use chips. After that, I thought about it and decided to share some tips.

The basis of poker games is betting or wagering. If you play poker for pleasure, you will need some currency or another monetary option. It is possible to tell who wins and loses with a cash or economic substitute. Poker chips are the most commonly used alternative to real currency.

Sometimes, however, an impromptu poker game will occur, and there will be no actual poker chips. Don’t worry. There are likely many other options available to you in your home or business. I know this because I searched my home and office for alternatives to satisfy avid poker players who want to play without chips.

These are some of the more obvious, but not always so obvious, quasi-poker chip options.

1. Spare Change

It is obvious, but you may need to remember your child’s piggy bank or the coins stored in your car’s center console. I did build a $4,000 bankroll using spare Money lying around. You could surely use your accidental savings to play a quick round of poker with your friends or family if I can do it. You could use rolls of pennies, nickels, dimes, or any combination thereof. Set the parameters before the time to determine who gets the Money.

2. Play Money

The most common way to have Money lying around is through playing Money from different board games. Monopoly and Payday are the most common. Most likely, one or more of these games is hidden in a cabinet or closet. You can use the fake Money to play poker if you have it. The best part about using counterfeit Money is pretending it’s real Money and that you’re a high-roller group!

3. Board game pieces

If you discover that your game collection does not include play money, don’t despair. Other games have game pieces that are perfect substitutes for poker chips. These are just a few games that offer money-altering game pieces. Three games have suitable substitutes for poker chips: Othello and Connect 4. Backgammon is also available. One could also use Scrabble tiles to make a bet.

You can mix and match game pieces from multiple games to make enough poker chips. Scrabble tiles can be as low as $1. Red Connect 4 chips, $5. Black Othello pieces could cost up to $1,000.

4. Dried Foods

You can also use dried foods from your kitchen pantry, which could cause problems for your partner. Dry beans, corn, and other legumes are a good choice because they don’t create a mess and can be bought in large quantities. Even better, you could boil them and make some poker chili.

Be careful to avoid eating foods that are already cooked. The temptation to eat all profits is too strong for most people. Aside from that, who would want to eat an M&M after everyone has touched it at The poker table? It is pretty disgusting.

5. Office Supplies

You will only have a few options if you have poker chips if you play an impromptu card game at work. Many items in your desk drawers would be great for a poker game. Make sure your boss is not around.

These are some things you might have lying around or in your desk drawer.

• Paper clips (Preferably color)
• Tacks
• Rubber bands
• Posted Notes (Fold them)

6. Color Popsicle Sticks

It is an excellent option to stack, and most families, especially with children, keep it in a drawer. To increase your number of chips, divide each stick into three. It will give you a lot of variety in your game.

It doesn’t take long to write different denominations on each stick if you don’t have colored popsicles. It is best to give each player a stack and have them each note on an additional amount. You can also have the sticks be one denomination.

7. Garage Items

Most garages have many items that come in multiples, which can be used as poker chips. It is especially true for those who have a toolbox that contains almost all of the following:

• Nuts
• Bolts
• Nails
• Washers
• Fasteners
• Electric Terminals

How many “Chips” do you need to play poker?

You will typically need 500 poker chips to play most poker games. You can get by with 300 poker chips for games with fewer than six players. Although this sounds like a lot, it is not. Most people have several items that can be used as substitutes for poker chips in their homes or offices. If you have coins in rolls, you can distribute them evenly among the players.

Which Game Should We Play?

I recommend only playing short-stacked cash games and tournaments in which the blinds are not rising. It will allow you to play poker without having to buy replacement chips. Your boss or partner might not like you digging around like a groundhog making a mess.

Assigning Denominations

You can’t use real poker chips, so it is best to keep things simple. I recommend that you play 25/50 blinds and give the following “chips” or denominations to players who are in your stack:

• $25-8 Chips
• $100 – 8 Chips
• 500- 2 Chip

Each player will receive $2,000 and 40 big blinds as a starting point. This setup allows for exciting, action-packed games. Signing up for my newsletter gives you a short guide with charts. You can use my raising ranges and whatever you want to dominate your friends.

What if someone runs out of chips?

I advise that if someone loses, they “rebuy” for a full stack of 20 big blinds (20 or 1,000). It will ensure that no one is left out and others can continue to play deep-stacked.

Other Methods of Playing

You can play against your friends for Money if everyone has access to a computer, a smartphone/tablet, or a laptop. Many poker sites offer play-money games that allow you to set up your table and compete against your friends. Pokerstars has the best software and a way to create private home games.

Remember to use good playing cards.

The cost of good playing cards is relatively low. Get a high-quality deck of cards if you need more Money to buy good poker chips but still want to enjoy a great game.