Quick answer: Guests can receive tickets to exchange for 1,000 play chips, or receive chips directly. BC Event Makers uses solid-colour play chips with no real-money wagering. Casual play can include a reset to 1,000 when chips are depleted; tournaments use a fixed allocation with no buy-ins.
Explain the chips before guests reach the tables
A first-time guest may see casino tables and wonder whether they need to bring money. A short explanation in your invitation or welcome announcement can answer that immediately: this is entertainment using play chips, and there is no real-money wagering.
Our trained dealers teach beginners as they play, so guests do not need to arrive knowing the games. Hosts can help by explaining how guests receive their starting chips. The table guidance and the event-wide chip instructions then support each other.
Choose tickets or direct chip distribution
There are two ways to introduce guests to their play chips. They can receive a ticket to exchange for 1,000 play chips, or they can receive chips directly. Discuss which approach fits your arrival arrangements before printing tickets, preparing welcome envelopes or briefing a registration team.
If you choose tickets, explain where guests should exchange them. If you choose direct distribution, agree how that handoff fits the start of play. Neither approach needs a long speech; guests simply need to understand what they have received and what to do next.
If you choose tickets, name the exchange point and give the welcome team the same instructions you will give guests. This example shows a simple handoff; confirm the actual arrangement for your event.
| Distribution method | What the host prepares |
|---|---|
| Tickets | Make sure the welcome team knows the agreed exchange arrangements and can direct guests. |
| Chips distributed directly | Agree the handoff and keep the starting instructions consistent with the event announcement. |
Keep casual resets and tournament allocations clear
The answer to “what happens when my chips run out?” depends on the format. Confirm this with our team before you write guest instructions; do not promise casual resets for a tournament.
Casual resets help the host frame the activity as something guests can try and enjoy without treating a depleted stack as the end of their evening. Tell guests how to ask for help when their chips run out.
Do not announce casual resets if you have chosen a tournament. Agree its arrangements with us before writing guest instructions, especially if your team wants a prize presentation. Guests should hear the same explanation from your welcome team and in your event announcement.
The solid colours of the chips are part of the equipment. Avoid inventing denominations or colour values in your invitations. Let the dealers explain the chips guests are using at the event.
Prepare a short, consistent guest briefing
Use the points below as a checklist for your host briefing. Choose the ticket or direct-handoff wording and the casual or tournament wording that matches your confirmed event plan.
- Say that the activity uses play chips and involves no real-money wagering.
- Explain whether guests receive tickets or chips directly.
- State whether the evening uses casual play or a tournament.
- Mention that dealers can help guests who have never played.
- Share any agreed prize arrangements separately from the chip explanation.
If your team supplies prizes, confirm how they will be awarded before making promises in the invitation. The chip allocation alone does not tell guests the prize process. Keep those instructions consistent across emails, signs and announcements. If you also plan a raffle or other prize draw, review the Province of B.C.’s gambling event licence guidance before advertising that separate activity.
Questions about play chips
What if a guest arrives after play begins?
Include late arrivals in your handoff plan. With tickets, the welcome team needs to know whether the exchange point will still be staffed and where to direct someone who arrives later. With direct distribution, decide who can provide the agreed starting chips after the main welcome. Make that person easy for the venue or host to find. Do not assume that someone can join a tournament after its shared start; confirm the format rules with us before telling guests what to expect. A short instruction for your door team can prevent a late guest from being sent between the entrance and the tables.
What should happen at the end of play?
Name the person who will announce the closing period and agree the timing with the casino team. Tell guests clearly when the last play will begin, especially if dinner, speeches or a prize presentation follows. If your event includes prizes, keep the award process separate from the chip explanation and confirm it before the event; the number of chips alone is not a complete prize instruction. Do not suggest that play chips can be exchanged for money. Use the final announcement to direct guests to the next part of the evening, and give the crew a named contact for any practical questions during takedown.
Do guests buy their play chips?
No real-money wagering takes place. Tournament play uses a fixed allocation with no buy-ins. Ask us to confirm the chip distribution for your event before briefing guests.
Can our event include prizes?
The client supplies any prizes. Discuss how you want to award them before announcing a prize process to guests.
Do we need to teach guests what the chip colours mean?
You do not need to create your own chip guide. Our dealers explain the play at their tables and help beginners as they go.
Plan the chip arrangements with us
Explore our full-service casino nights, then send your event enquiry. Include your date, location and whether you are considering casual play or a tournament.