Gaming chips have been made from a varied range of materials in an almost infinite selection of variations since the birth of betting and the need to keep track of winnings. The most common materials employed at present in the creation of new poker chips are plastic, clay composite, and acrylics. Clay chips, the original of the group, have been manufactured in the US since the late 1800s.

Back in the 19th century, poker enthusiasts appear to be using any small item with value imaginable. Early poker players occasionally used rough gold pieces as well as chips – chiefly manufactured of wood and clay. By the 20th century, poker chip features began to play a greater prominence, and the smooth sides of older chips gave way to chips with ridges to hold them neatly piled up together.

There is no doubt that poker has expanded steadily in popularity ever since its beginnings in the 19th century. With the huge increase of web gambling and unique television shows, public appeal in poker has feed the fire more rapidly than ever before. Most individuals are initially introduced to poker by TV showssuch as "Celebrity Poker" or "Poker After Dark," and many will wager on their 1st hands on the net. Regardless of internet poker’s growth, not much replaces the feeling of holding heavy clay poker chips in your hand, throwing chips into the center of a casino table, or stacking tall pilesstacks of chips after showing a victorious hand.