Chip tricks

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Chip tricks are manipulations of poker chips. Unlike in magic, chip "tricks" are not demonstrated to fool a spectator. Rather, in the poker community, chip tricks are a way of passing time, fidgeting, showing off, looking impressive or intimidating other players.

[edit] History of chip tricks

Since the beginnings of organized gambling, people have fidgeted with their money, gold nuggets, chips, etc. Only in the 20th century, with the development of better stacking and uniform chips, have modern chip tricks become more common. Dealers and players passing the time would inadvertently play with their chips. Of course, after years of practice, one little and unbecoming skill becomes quite smooth and interesting. Others would try their luck at a technique or two that they might have seen somewhere.

This slow process continued in casinos and private games for years. Only magicians and performers would ever take the time to try to master multiple stunts with coins or chips as part of a demonstration. After all, tricks were subtle at the table and not meant for being flashy or intimidating. But, times change. Since 1970, it has definitely become less of an etiquette issue to do fancy things at a table. In fact, players, spectators and dealers welcome unique skills at a table and consider anyone able to do masterful chip tricks and card handling as someone who “really knows how to play!" It is now part of the game and part of your poker image.

[edit] Examples of chip tricks

the Butterfly

The butterfly is a technique in which 4 chips are used. With one hand, a stack of four chips can be divided evenly between the five fingers, clamping the sides of each chip in between. They are basically 'spread out'.

the Twirl

With one hand, the middle chip in a stack of three is pushed out, turned, and put back in between the other two.

the Shuffle

Two stacks of at least 3 chips (but mostly 5, up to 10 or more) are pushed together, so that the two stacks will become one like a zipper. This is definitely the most popular chip trick.

the Knuckle Roll

One of the more difficult techniques, in the knuckle roll a chip is clamped between the thumb and index, and from there moved to the other side of the hand, clamping it three times between the fingers. The chip does not actually roll, but is flipped over each time.

the Muscle Pass

One of the lesser known tricks, in the muscle pass trick a chip is put into the palm of the hand in classic palm position and squeezed until it flies upwards. The chip is then caught with the other hand, and dropped again. This gives an effect as if the chip were floating up and down.