A stack literally refers to the stack of chips a player has in front of them. Abstractly it simply refers to the amount of money a player as at the table.

A player wishing to sit at a table is required to buy chips. At live casinos this can often be done at the table or a separate location and the chips brought to the table. In a tournament the chips are assigned in exchange for an entry fee. In this case the chips tend to have only numeric values and lack a currency.

Players' stacks are typically subject to table stake rules. These, along with buy-in determine how money enters and leaves the tables.