Poker Chip Tricks

Poker chip tricks are impressive to watch and fun to do. They give the impression that you spend a lot of time at poker tables and are skilled at cards. Learning poker chip tricks is not difficult. The actual techniques are fairly straight forward---perfecting them is mostly a matter of practicing until you get the feel.

Function

One of the most functional poker chip tricks is the "backspin." You can use it to send a chip into the pot or pretend that you are. Start with a heavy poker chip and the smooth padded felt of a poker table. Hold the top and bottom of the chip between your thumb and middle finger, with your index finger on the edge. Place the bottom edge of the chip on the felt. Push the chip away from you by pushing downward on the edge of the chip on the side near you. This creates backspin as the chip rolls away. After it goes a few inches it will roll back to you. Only do this in a friendly game. Casinos frown on it.

Features

If you want to feature your poker chip trick ability while drawing other player's attention away from you contemplating your next move, do the "shuffle." This is where you shuffle two stacks of poker chips together with one hand. Place two stacks of chips next to each other. Start with four or five chips in each stack until you get better at it. Sandwich the two stacks between your thumb on on side and your middle and ring fingers on the other. Place your index finger in the middle of the stacks, right where they meet. Push the stacks together while you push up on the stacks with your index finger. This creates space so the stacks can zipper together.

Effects

If you want to perform a poker chip trick for effect, do the "knuckle roll." It requires a great deal of hand coordination to flip a chip back and forth across your knuckles. Place the chip flat on top of your index finger between your first and second knuckles. Raise your middle finger and pull down on the chip with it. This will make it roll over the middle finger. Do the same with the ring finger then the little finger. Once the chip is lying on your little finger, reverse the knuckle roll and bring the chip back.

Significance

You can signal to the rest of the poker table that you are a player of significance by performing the "chip twirl." It is one of the more difficult poker chip tricks to master, so they will know that you are the real deal if you can do it with ease. Hold three stacked chips by the edges, between your thumb and index finger. You will be pulling out the middle chip, twirling it around, then reinserting it into the stack. Do this by pulling down on the middle chip with your middle finger then catching it with your ring finger. The middle chip should now be between your ring finger and index finger. Spin the chip with your middle finger. After a half of a revolution, slide it back into the middle of the stack.

History

Poker legend Johnny Chan made history when he performed a poker chip trick in the movie "Rounders." It is known simply as "The Chan" and is the most famous poker chip trick of all because of its appearance in the movie. Place six or seven chips in your palm resting between your ring finger and little finger. Use your thumb to grab the three chips closest to your fingertips and roll them up to your index finger. Gradually loosen the three chips one at a time and let them roll down your fingers until they are back in the stack. You can do this move over and over as you sit at the poker table. It will make you look cool and distract other players.

Resources

• Chip Tricks
• Tricks with Chips
• Poker Compatibility