Why poker chips and coins?

[Aussie888]

So I've noticed that quite a lot of projects have poker chips and coins as various rewards. I can understand the poker chips in a way, since you'd find both in a gaming room or something, but why the coins too?

[montecarlojoe]

Decorative coins can be used as dealer or blind markers, or as card weights. In a competitive game you want to take any precaution you can and a small weight on top of your cards whilst they are on the table can prevent accidental turning or tampering.

plus they look cool.

[Strag]

http://dictionary.pokerzone.com/Card+Protector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A small object placed on top of a player's hand for the purpose of preventing it from being mucked or fouled.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Typically, if another player's cards accidentally touch your cards, then your hand is declared dead. This declaration may not apply if it is clear which cards belong to which player, and the protection of one's cards with an object on top of them makes this determination easier. While the origin of the card protector seems to stem from this rule, the device has expanded into a unique way to express one's personality at the table. Players use a variety of fun, decorative, or personally significant items as card protectors.

EXAMPLE: "I forgot to bring my lucky card protector to the casino, and ended up taking a lot of bad beats. Lady luck is fickle."