The shifting odds of poker can result in tremendous highs and crushing lows. Hot streaks and bad beats can happen to anyone, regardless of skill or strategy. It’s always thrilling to build the largest stack at the table, but it’s quite the opposite when you’re left with dwindling chips and the looming possibility of an early exit.

This is especially true when it comes to live poker tournaments. The further you go, the more blinds and antes increase, putting your stack under pressure. If you lose your last chips, you’re out of the competition. On the other hand, online cash games typically offer more flexibility, allowing rebuys and late buy-ins across a range of limit and no-limit poker variations.

So, what happens when you play poker online or in person and start running short on chips? How does the game flow change, and what choices do you have left? Get a broad-ranging breakdown in this article.

Going All In

When poker players don’t have enough chips to cover a bet or want to raise the stakes with everything they have, they go all in. It’s one of the poker basics that highlights the thrill (and risk) of committing everything in a single move.

In a tournament, going all in can be a strategic tool, but it carries massive risk. If you bust, you’re eliminated, and re-entry isn’t an option unless otherwise specified. Tournaments are designed to put players on a level playing field, with elimination as the ultimate motivator to play their best.

One of the advantages of cash games, by contrast, is flexibility. You aren’t forced to go all in—you can fold, cash out, rebuy, and continue playing with a replenished stack. However, rebuys usually happen between hands to keep gameplay smooth.

It’s also important to remember that many tables have maximum chip stack limits. If you win after going all in and your total exceeds the maximum allowed, the surplus is removed and credited back to your balance.

To maintain fairness, both in-person and online casinos carefully monitor chip play using microchip technology. Learn more about the process of how chips are tracked.

The Side Pot

When at least three players are involved in a hand, and someone goes all in, it’s possible to have multiple pots. The main pot holds the all-in player’s maximum bet. If other players wish to bet more than the all-in amount, a side pot is created.

Here’s how it works:

• The main pot is contested by all players still active in the hand.
• Additional betting goes into the side pot, which only involves players with chips remaining after matching the all-in bet.
• If an all-in player wins the showdown, they win the main pot. The side pot goes to the best remaining hand among the other players.

When multiple players go all in during the same hand, multiple side pots may form to ensure fair distribution based on chip commitments.

Buying New Chips

Buying additional chips is simple and efficient on the best online poker platforms, like BetMGM Poker. Transactions happen electronically, allowing you to top up your stack almost instantly between hands.

Home games, however, introduce a few unique dynamics. For instance, you typically decide your own poker chip values. A good starting point is ensuring each player receives enough chips to play (about 80–100 big blinds is recommended).

If the pace of the game slows too much, you can always increase the blinds. You’ll also need to decide if rebuys are allowed and, if so, whether they should be available throughout the entire game or cut off after a certain point.

If you’re planning to allow rebuys, it’s crucial to have enough chips on hand. Running out can derail the game, so careful preparation is key. Understanding how many poker chips you need for home games will help ensure you have the right setup for your group size.

Alternatively, if you’re short on chips, another option is to allow the players with the biggest stacks to “sell” some of their chips back into the pool, creating opportunities for rebuys without needing new chip sets.

For those interested in poker chip design and history, exploring how poker chips are made and the history of poker chips reveals how these colorful discs became an essential part of the game.

Play at the Best Poker Tables With BetMGM

Whether you’re holding onto your last few blinds or strategizing a comeback, understanding your options when you run low on chips is critical to surviving and thriving at the tables. If you’re ready to enjoy the thrill of poker from anywhere, register to play poker online at BetMGM.

As a new player, you can stretch your bankroll further with an exciting online poker welcome bonus. Find your perfect table, hone your skills, and make every chip count at BetMGM Poker.