[Matthew]

1. One solution is non-denomination chips.

3 colors ($.05, $.25, $1 for 1st ring game)
3 colors ($1, $5, $25 for 2nd ring game)
3/4 colors ($5, $25, $100 maybe $500 for $500/$1000 tournaments - may need the $500 for multiple re-buys)

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2. Otherwise with denominations it sounds like you need:

$.10 chip - 1st ring
$.25 chip - 1st ring
$1 chip - 1st and 2nd ring
$5 chip - All 3
$25 chip - 2nd ring and Tournament
$100 - Tournament
$500 - Tournament (maybe)

7 colors - or 5 if you use nickels and no $.10 or $.25 - but in my opinion mixing change and chips stinks.

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3. Go with no $ sign and just a number

5 = $.05 or $5 handles lowest levels of 1st ring and tourney
10 = $.10 or $10 same as 5
25 = $.25 or $25 - 1st ring and tourney
100 = $1 or $100 for both ring games and tourney
500 = $5 or $500 for both ring or tourney

5 colors

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I use my 11.5 gram suits for Tournamanets (1250 chips) and went with NEXGENs - 400 chips - 4 colors with denominations ($.50, $1, $5, $20) for the cash games ($1050 value - never had it all in play) - but we don't have 2 levels like you describe

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Matt