Between stacks, pyramids, and chip towers
A small showcase of the different ways to stack your chips
After a stop at the buffet, and another coffee down, the energy slowly comes back. It’ll be needed, as we’re not even halfway through the day in this Main Event. Time for a walk around the room to get a feel for what’s happening at the tables.
First observation : with the field shrinking, only a third of the room is now needed to host all remaining tables. A far cry from the packed chaos of yesterday at noon. The tournament is progressing well, fewer than 250 players remain.
As I wander between tables, one detail catches my eye : how players stack their chips. While there’s an unwritten rule to stack them in piles of twenty for easy counting, the way they’re arranged is entirely up to each player. And what you get are almost artistic creations.
There are three main styles that stand out. The most common is simply stacking chips in rows, with slight variations, either forming a horizontal “wall” or lining them vertically toward the player’s stack. Another popular method is the pyramid. Though to pull it off convincingly, you need a decent stack, otherwise it looks more like a sandcastle than an Egyptian monument. Finally, some players favor height above all: starting with a solid base of five or six stacks, then building upward into a towering structure of chips. And for the shorter stacks ? Well, it’s usually just one modest pile holding everything together. Different styles, perhaps reflecting personality ? I’ll leave that analysis to the psychologists.
Another moment worth noting after the break is the arrival of players at the feature tables. There are three of them at this event, all set up on the main stage. Before stepping into the spotlight, players must pass through the tech crew. Phones, headphones, smartwatches, everything is collected. In exchange, they’re fitted with a microphone and granted access to the stage.
From there, it’s all about stepping up and putting your skills to the test in front of the world. For some, it’s the highlight of their tournament. For others… maybe not so much.
Paul Koessler