Casino Ethics: Cheques

Quote: Doc

I usually refer to the ones I collect as "chips", but I do accept that either "checks" or "cheques" is the proper term. Not sure which is really right. It is my understanding that "chips" is the proper term for the ones that do not have an imprinted value, such as the ones at the roulette table, ones in home sets, or ones sometimes used in tournaments that may have different values at different times.

Home and tournament "chips" with numerals but no "$" are sometimes referred to as "jetons" (like the counting stones used on an abacus).

Quote: Doc

I usually refer to the ones I collect as "chips", but I do accept that either "checks" or "cheques" is the proper term. Not sure which is really right. It is my understanding that "chips" is the proper term for the ones that do not have an imprinted value, such as the ones at the roulette table, ones in home sets, or ones sometimes used in tournaments that may have different values at different times.

I don't think there is any basis for considering it "unethical" for casinos to use them for the table games. To do otherwise would be inconvenient for most everyone and would basically be silly.

Quote: Doc

Face, thanks for the clarification. I'm a little confused on the poker issue, perhaps since I have only played poker in a casino two or maybe three times. Aren't the poker "chips" identical to the casino "cheques"? Why do they change name when moved into another room?

No problem, Doc. Our Poker Room, both back in the day when it was located inside our Class III casino and now when it is inside our Class II facility, has always used it's own value cheques with it's own design so I can't comment on your second question. If some do use the same cheques for both Table Games and Poker, I'd guess it's just a traditional vernacular thing.

And cardshark, it's definately "cheque change", as in a declaration of changing cheques, not a request of inspection. I couldn't tell you why, I just know it is...

Perhaps two friends, Jack and Jacques, can pose a chips vs cheques "Ask the Wizard" question ;)

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Quote: Face

Perhaps two friends, Jack and Jacques, can pose a chips vs cheques "Ask the Wizard" question ;)

In Spanish that word, pronouncing the "e" at the end, means "check" as in an instrument to transfer money from a bank account. This has odd consequences, as I can't see the word and not think of my checkbook or a cashier's check. But if I hear it, which would be pronounced as "check," I'd have no trouble. Since I read mroe about gambling than hear about it, though, I prefer to gow ith "chips."

Normally Spanish doesn't intrude in my English that way. I think the reason in this case is that I regularly handle lots of checks over a normal week.