Follow the chip race, one stage at a time
A fixed teaching example: remove 25-value chips; 100 becomes the smallest denomination. All values below are tournament chip value. This page does not make a ruling for your event.
Step 1: Count the complete stacks
Before the exchange: A has 500 plus seven 25s, B has only three 25s, C has 500 plus two 25s. The table total is 1,300.
Player A
675
7 old chips + 500
Player B
75
3 old chips only
Player C
550
2 old chips + 500
Step 2: Exchange four 25s for 100
A exchanges four old chips. Retained value is now 1,100. The eight leftover 25s total 200 and fund two ordinary race chips.
Player A
600
3 old chips → race
Player B
0
3 old chips → race
Player C
500
2 old chips → race
Step 3: Award to two different players
A’s ace earns the first 100. Skip A’s king and queen. C’s jack earns the second 100. B has no award and no retained chips. This is an intermediate state, not an elimination.
Player A
700
Ace: ordinary award 100
Player B
0
No ordinary award
Player C
600
Jack: ordinary award 100
Step 4: Protect the player left with nothing
B receives one 100, the smallest denomination still in play. Final total: 1,400 = 1,300 original value + 100 protection. A and C keep their ordinary awards.
Player A
700
Ordinary award retained
Player B
100
Protection adds 100
Player C
600
Ordinary award retained