Casino Chip of the Day
January 7th, 2017 at 10:44:08 AM
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In the vicinity of Arica, there are two (according to our guide) or three (according to my interpretation of the GoogleMaps terrain view image) valleys with their own "rivers" from the mountain regions. I think most of us would characterize these waterways as streams or creeks. Some fresh water is derived from these rivers, while much of it is from desalination plants. I think that some of the agricultural irrigation uses treated and recycled wastewater. Arica is much too far from other developed areas for it to be economically feasible to transfer water supplies by artificial means.
I think the target patrons for the casino(s) are locals plus visitors from Peru, Bolivia, and other parts of Chile. It does not seem to be a tourist destination for a world-wide audience. We were told that cruise ships stop there once every month or two, and the tourist-oriented businesses look to benefit from the opportunity. Our guide noted that she has a career as an abogada, i.e., a lawyer, specializing in civil, administrative, and family law. We struck up a side conversation, and she gave me one of her business cards. At several of the tour stops, we encountered another group from the ship, and their guide was our guide's sister -- also a lawyer specializing in water rights issues and other fields. Apparently, serving as a guide when a cruise ship comes to town is more rewarding than a normal day as an attorney.
As for colors of the chip, I think you must be seeing colors that are not on the chip nor on the image as it appears on my computer and phone screens. My screens show the plastic as blue, not gray, and only very slightly lighter than the true color of the chip. Also, in my image, the center inlay of the chip appears as a slightly-dingy white, with no indication of orange, while the real chip has a very, very slight tint of blue compared to the image. The gold "Arica" on the inlay seems to be more visible on the chip when it is viewed straight on, but it tends to fade when viewed at an angle to the light so that it picks up reflection on the rest of the inlay. I think the illumination for my photo was at just such an angle because I prop the chip and a piece of background felt on a slanted board for the photograph. Perhaps the important angle for displaying the gold letters is the one between the light source and the chip rather than the camera angle.
I do have a UV/daylight filter on my lens, but I don't think that really causes a noticable color shift on the images -- I think most of my chip color disparities come from the fact that I set up the tripod and the chip/felt support in the poor incandescent lighting of a small bathroom, where it is also convenient to turn off the lights and set up my UV lamp to reveal hidden images and fluorescence.
Edit: Perhaps, as they say, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. My wife says she can see orange in the center inlay of the same image I am looking at, but she sees the plastic as gray-green with purple markings!
I think the target patrons for the casino(s) are locals plus visitors from Peru, Bolivia, and other parts of Chile. It does not seem to be a tourist destination for a world-wide audience. We were told that cruise ships stop there once every month or two, and the tourist-oriented businesses look to benefit from the opportunity. Our guide noted that she has a career as an abogada, i.e., a lawyer, specializing in civil, administrative, and family law. We struck up a side conversation, and she gave me one of her business cards. At several of the tour stops, we encountered another group from the ship, and their guide was our guide's sister -- also a lawyer specializing in water rights issues and other fields. Apparently, serving as a guide when a cruise ship comes to town is more rewarding than a normal day as an attorney.
As for colors of the chip, I think you must be seeing colors that are not on the chip nor on the image as it appears on my computer and phone screens. My screens show the plastic as blue, not gray, and only very slightly lighter than the true color of the chip. Also, in my image, the center inlay of the chip appears as a slightly-dingy white, with no indication of orange, while the real chip has a very, very slight tint of blue compared to the image. The gold "Arica" on the inlay seems to be more visible on the chip when it is viewed straight on, but it tends to fade when viewed at an angle to the light so that it picks up reflection on the rest of the inlay. I think the illumination for my photo was at just such an angle because I prop the chip and a piece of background felt on a slanted board for the photograph. Perhaps the important angle for displaying the gold letters is the one between the light source and the chip rather than the camera angle.
I do have a UV/daylight filter on my lens, but I don't think that really causes a noticable color shift on the images -- I think most of my chip color disparities come from the fact that I set up the tripod and the chip/felt support in the poor incandescent lighting of a small bathroom, where it is also convenient to turn off the lights and set up my UV lamp to reveal hidden images and fluorescence.
Edit: Perhaps, as they say, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. My wife says she can see orange in the center inlay of the same image I am looking at, but she sees the plastic as gray-green with purple markings!
Last edited by: Doc on Jan 7, 2017
January 8th, 2017 at 8:19:25 AM
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State: Maryland
County: Prince George's County
Casino: MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor is the newly-opened casino closest to the capital, just a mile south of the DC line at the junction of I-295 and I-495. I visited around 11AM on 1/2/2017 and the games were $25-200 and $300 roulette, $15-500 UTH, $15-500 3CP, $25-500 4CP, $15-500 LIR, $25-1000 BJ with CSM, $50-5K with 6 decks I believe, Mini Baccarat $100-20k (don't know how much more it is to squeeze cards), $50-? PGP, $25-5K Craps 345x with ATS and 3/10 open tables. There were plenty of people since it must have been a day off for many people but it didn't feel too crowded.
I had a very good impression of the property. It was non smoking and all very new and bright, but the table minimums are beyond my reach. There were armed security foot patrol in the garage, and police presence at the casino entrance so it felt pretty safe.
I did my usual column bet at roulette when faced with high minimums, which in this case was buying in for $30, one green and five whites. I was still choosing which one to keep so I bet the green and promptly lost. Went to the cage and got my 4 georgies back, for a loss of $25. Both sides of the chip are the same.
This is the only chip I have to post until the end of January, when I return from Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
County: Prince George's County
Casino: MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor is the newly-opened casino closest to the capital, just a mile south of the DC line at the junction of I-295 and I-495. I visited around 11AM on 1/2/2017 and the games were $25-200 and $300 roulette, $15-500 UTH, $15-500 3CP, $25-500 4CP, $15-500 LIR, $25-1000 BJ with CSM, $50-5K with 6 decks I believe, Mini Baccarat $100-20k (don't know how much more it is to squeeze cards), $50-? PGP, $25-5K Craps 345x with ATS and 3/10 open tables. There were plenty of people since it must have been a day off for many people but it didn't feel too crowded.
I had a very good impression of the property. It was non smoking and all very new and bright, but the table minimums are beyond my reach. There were armed security foot patrol in the garage, and police presence at the casino entrance so it felt pretty safe.
I did my usual column bet at roulette when faced with high minimums, which in this case was buying in for $30, one green and five whites. I was still choosing which one to keep so I bet the green and promptly lost. Went to the cage and got my 4 georgies back, for a loss of $25. Both sides of the chip are the same.
This is the only chip I have to post until the end of January, when I return from Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
I CD-ROM.
January 8th, 2017 at 9:25:53 AM
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Yes, $25 minimum for craps is a little too rich for my blood and the amount of time I would like to spend at a table.
I have some friends who live in central Virginia, not far from Charlottesville. Last spring, they suggested that whenever the MGM was open, my wife and I should come to visit them and then join them for a day trip to the casino. That plan sounds great to me, but not if I would want to leave after the first roll or two of the dice. Hopefully, the tariff will subside over time. If not, the only plausible opportunity I can think of is to stop by very briefly when traveling from home in NC to visit my sister-in-law in New Jersey. We usually avoid the DC area on those trips.
So who is next in line to share a casino chip of the day with us? Surely someone has a chip or three from casinos that have not yet been covered!
I have some friends who live in central Virginia, not far from Charlottesville. Last spring, they suggested that whenever the MGM was open, my wife and I should come to visit them and then join them for a day trip to the casino. That plan sounds great to me, but not if I would want to leave after the first roll or two of the dice. Hopefully, the tariff will subside over time. If not, the only plausible opportunity I can think of is to stop by very briefly when traveling from home in NC to visit my sister-in-law in New Jersey. We usually avoid the DC area on those trips.
So who is next in line to share a casino chip of the day with us? Surely someone has a chip or three from casinos that have not yet been covered!
January 8th, 2017 at 10:55:43 PM
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Doc I read your Arica post days ago but forgot to comment. I absolutely loved your write up! It was beyond interesting, thank you for that.
Konbu is it just me or does that chip already look quite worn out for an almost brand new chip?
I leave for Asia tomorrow and I will be starting a thread when I get there. I hope it is enjoyable.
Konbu is it just me or does that chip already look quite worn out for an almost brand new chip?
I leave for Asia tomorrow and I will be starting a thread when I get there. I hope it is enjoyable.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
January 9th, 2017 at 9:51:27 AM
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Quote: Doc...As for colors of the chip, I think you must be seeing colors that are not on the chip nor on the image as it appears on my computer and phone screens. My screens show the plastic as blue, not gray, and only very slightly lighter than the true color of the chip. Also, in my image, the center inlay of the chip appears as a slightly-dingy white, with no indication of orange, while the real chip has a very, very slight tint of blue compared to the image. The gold "Arica" on the inlay seems to be more visible on the chip when it is viewed straight on, but it tends to fade when viewed at an angle to the light so that it picks up reflection on the rest of the inlay. I think the illumination for my photo was at just such an angle because I prop the chip and a piece of background felt on a slanted board for the photograph. Perhaps the important angle for displaying the gold letters is the one between the light source and the chip rather than the camera angle.
I do have a UV/daylight filter on my lens, but I don't think that really causes a noticable color shift on the images -- I think most of my chip color disparities come from the fact that I set up the tripod and the chip/felt support in the poor incandescent lighting of a small bathroom, where it is also convenient to turn off the lights and set up my UV lamp to reveal hidden images and fluorescence.
Edit: Perhaps, as they say, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. My wife says she can see orange in the center inlay of the same image I am looking at, but she sees the plastic as gray-green with purple markings!
Hmm... Perhaps white balance calibration/adjustment? Could it be a security measure built into the chip to make it difficult to counterfeit like that found in American currency and copiers/scanners?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
January 9th, 2017 at 1:48:34 PM
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No, the edge is sharp, it's just dirty
I CD-ROM.
January 20th, 2017 at 10:16:04 AM
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So the final numbers are in. I collected chips from 17 different casinos in Macau. Of those 4 have already been posted here. That means that I will have 13 new chips plus 1 from Malaysia and 2 from Singapore totalling 16 new chip of the days. I think Konbu will have a bunch of new ones too so we might hit 1000 chips soon in this thread.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
January 30th, 2017 at 4:33:04 AM
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Just booked a trip to maine. I see there are only 3 casinos that I can get clips from and they are already posted on here. Owell maybe next trip Ican add some
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
January 30th, 2017 at 4:42:24 AM
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Quote: GWAEJust booked a trip to maine. I see there are only 3 casinos that I can get clips from and they are already posted on here. Owell maybe next trip Ican add some
You have failed us GWAE, plan your trips to benefit the chip of the day better. How inconsiderate. I'm guessing you are going to those three casinos though?
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
January 30th, 2017 at 5:14:18 AM
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Quote: GWAEJust booked a trip to maine. I see there are only 3 casinos that I can get clips from and they are already posted on here. Owell maybe next trip Ican add some
I thought there were only 2 Maine casinos with chips,does Scarborough downs have chips also?
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
January 30th, 2017 at 5:14:37 AM
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Quote: PokerGrinderYou have failed us GWAE, plan your trips to benefit the chip of the day better. How inconsiderate. I'm guessing you are going to those three casinos though?
Haha yeah I will definitely be there. We are flying in to Boston then driving through RI, NH, Mass, and Maine. Trying to figure out how to incorporate Vermont as well but it is 90 minutes out of the way and can't find anything worthwhile near the border.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
January 30th, 2017 at 9:37:07 AM
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Quote: HunterhillI thought there were only 2 Maine casinos with chips,does Scarborough downs have chips also?Quote: GWAEJust booked a trip to maine. I see there are only 3 casinos that I can get clips from and they are already posted on here. Owell maybe next trip Ican add some
May have been a typo by GWAE, since he indicated that they were posted here already. In case anyone has forgotten, the index for all of the chips that have been posted in this thread is on page 1 of the thread, and only two chips are shown for Maine.
The MoGH Chip Guide does show a number of other chips for Maine casinos, including a number of fraternal lodges and private clubs plus a number of Harley-Davidson locations. I don't know what those are all about.
January 30th, 2017 at 11:28:17 AM
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The third one is from new hampshire
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
January 30th, 2017 at 11:49:21 AM
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Quote: GWAEThe third one is from new hampshire
There are 3 or 4 chips that you can get in Nh.
A new casino was opening in the Nashua area,replacing the one in Milford I believe.
I see the casino in Salem has closed ,but another is supposed to be opening in May.
The other one is in Belmont NH.
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
January 30th, 2017 at 12:53:45 PM
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OK I collected from 20 casinos in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, several with 2 denominations collected. Here comes my first post for Nicaragua! I'll try for a daily posting but can't guarantee it.
I CD-ROM.
January 30th, 2017 at 12:55:02 PM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Fiesta Managua
Note: This chip was obtained at the Zona Pharaohs casino.
This is the first chip I collected in Nicaragua, but not my first stop. My first stop was at the Pharaohs Camino Real about 1km away from the airport. I walked there right after arrival around 2PM, but the tables weren't opening until at least 4PM. At all the places I visited that had tables but weren't open, none of the cages were willing to sell me a chip. There are 4 casinos in Managua with the Pharaohs name and I managed to visit 3 of them, collecting 2 chips.
Zona Pharaohs is located at Multicentro shopping mall. It has a total of 3 tables, one 4 deck BJ S17 at $5-100, about 1.5 deck cut. There's also a BJ Switch that they are promoting at all Pharaohs casinos in Managua because there was a human-size banner in Spanish nearby introducing it as the "exciting new game that's taking over the world." The other table is a roulette table at $3-20 with double zero. I think the minimum value of roulette chips were 50 cents each.
Of note is all the casinos in Managua I visited the chips are only in US dollars. There were no chips in the local curency, the Cordoba. If you buy in with Cordobas the supervisor will calculate the exchange and round up (they had $2.50 chips).
There were also plenty of slots and video poker which all take Cordobas. They had bonus poker and deuce wild at 1 cordoba minimum (about 3 cents). The paytable for DW was 1,2,2,3,4,13,16,26,200,250. I didn't look up the payback but can't imagine it being much good.
As for the chip, I don't know under what name Doc wants to file it. The chip says Fiesta Managua. Google search shows there was a Fiesta Casino in Managua, near Plaza Inter. My guess is that Pharaohs recycled Fiesta's chips at the Multicentro location. Both sides of the chip are the same, with a slightly recessed center.
City: Managua
Casino: Fiesta Managua
Note: This chip was obtained at the Zona Pharaohs casino.
This is the first chip I collected in Nicaragua, but not my first stop. My first stop was at the Pharaohs Camino Real about 1km away from the airport. I walked there right after arrival around 2PM, but the tables weren't opening until at least 4PM. At all the places I visited that had tables but weren't open, none of the cages were willing to sell me a chip. There are 4 casinos in Managua with the Pharaohs name and I managed to visit 3 of them, collecting 2 chips.
Zona Pharaohs is located at Multicentro shopping mall. It has a total of 3 tables, one 4 deck BJ S17 at $5-100, about 1.5 deck cut. There's also a BJ Switch that they are promoting at all Pharaohs casinos in Managua because there was a human-size banner in Spanish nearby introducing it as the "exciting new game that's taking over the world." The other table is a roulette table at $3-20 with double zero. I think the minimum value of roulette chips were 50 cents each.
Of note is all the casinos in Managua I visited the chips are only in US dollars. There were no chips in the local curency, the Cordoba. If you buy in with Cordobas the supervisor will calculate the exchange and round up (they had $2.50 chips).
There were also plenty of slots and video poker which all take Cordobas. They had bonus poker and deuce wild at 1 cordoba minimum (about 3 cents). The paytable for DW was 1,2,2,3,4,13,16,26,200,250. I didn't look up the payback but can't imagine it being much good.
As for the chip, I don't know under what name Doc wants to file it. The chip says Fiesta Managua. Google search shows there was a Fiesta Casino in Managua, near Plaza Inter. My guess is that Pharaohs recycled Fiesta's chips at the Multicentro location. Both sides of the chip are the same, with a slightly recessed center.
Last edited by: Konbu on Jan 30, 2017
I CD-ROM.
January 30th, 2017 at 3:27:37 PM
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That's kinda funny that they did that. Looks horrible. Were all their chips like that?
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
January 30th, 2017 at 4:06:08 PM
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Quote: KonbuAs for the chip, I don't know under what name Doc wants to file it. The chip says Fiesta Managua. Google search shows there was a Fiesta Casino in Managua, near Plaza Inter. My guess is that Pharaohs recycled Fiesta's chips at the Multicentro location.
Konbu, I think this situation is quite similar to what I encountered at many casinos on the Caribbean Islands, where I have said the casinos don't really seem to care whose chips are in play. In those cases, I have posted the chips under the name of the casino as it appears on the chips. This allows for the possibility that some day a member can post a chip that has the current name of the casino that has/had been using the "borrowed" chips. Under that plan, I am listing this chip under the index's Central America category as "Fiesta Managua (Nicaragua)".
To show how extreme these situations can become, the South America category includes a chip from Bolivia, a country that apparently hasn't had any casinos in quite a while. I picked up that chip at a casino in Curaçao but posted it according to the casino name on the chip.
If this strikes you as suitable, Konbu, and if you still have time to edit your post, you might change just the line with the casino name to say "Fiesta Managua" and just note that you received it in play at the Zona Pharaohs casino rather than the apparently defunct Fiesta.
January 31st, 2017 at 12:11:45 AM
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Quote: KonbuOK I collected from 20 casinos in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, several with 2 denominations collected. Here comes my first post for Nicaragua! I'll try for a daily posting but can't guarantee it.
Perfect this brings the thread to 998 chips and I will have like 15-20 to post after you are done posting yours. 1000 chips is on the horizon...
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
January 31st, 2017 at 1:30:47 PM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Nicaraos
Nicaraos is located just a short walk away across from Metrocentro, another large mall and an important landmark in Managua. If you look up Nicaraos in Google maps you will see there's a Casino Nicaragua right next door. Nicaraos is in fact located where Casino Nicaragua is.
The dealers were chilling and talking at the bar but when they saw me looking at the tables they immediately came over, opened the tray cover and started dealing.
It has a total of 3 tables, one BJ with CSM at $5-100, the cards are fed back in after about a deck's worth in the discard tray. There's also a roulette table where my notes state 1000 Cordoba max bet on 1 to 1 bets, C 500 on 2 to 1, and max spot of C 100 (Exchange rate around 29.4 to a dollar) with double zero. I don't remember seeing chips in the local currency so I don't know why I wrote down the max bet in Cordobas. The other game was Caribbean Stud Poker probably also at $5 minimum, with a bonus structure of 1,2,3,4,5,7,20,50,100 if no additional card was bought, and 1,2,3,3,4,5,10,25,50 if card was bought for original wager. There were also around 50-70 slot machines, mostly electronic reels.
The chip just says DM with a satin finish. I think the $5 chip might have had the Nicaraos name but I cannot remember for sure. I should have taken a picture of it so I can refresh my memory.
City: Managua
Casino: Nicaraos
Nicaraos is located just a short walk away across from Metrocentro, another large mall and an important landmark in Managua. If you look up Nicaraos in Google maps you will see there's a Casino Nicaragua right next door. Nicaraos is in fact located where Casino Nicaragua is.
The dealers were chilling and talking at the bar but when they saw me looking at the tables they immediately came over, opened the tray cover and started dealing.
It has a total of 3 tables, one BJ with CSM at $5-100, the cards are fed back in after about a deck's worth in the discard tray. There's also a roulette table where my notes state 1000 Cordoba max bet on 1 to 1 bets, C 500 on 2 to 1, and max spot of C 100 (Exchange rate around 29.4 to a dollar) with double zero. I don't remember seeing chips in the local currency so I don't know why I wrote down the max bet in Cordobas. The other game was Caribbean Stud Poker probably also at $5 minimum, with a bonus structure of 1,2,3,4,5,7,20,50,100 if no additional card was bought, and 1,2,3,3,4,5,10,25,50 if card was bought for original wager. There were also around 50-70 slot machines, mostly electronic reels.
The chip just says DM with a satin finish. I think the $5 chip might have had the Nicaraos name but I cannot remember for sure. I should have taken a picture of it so I can refresh my memory.
Last edited by: Konbu on Jan 31, 2017
I CD-ROM.
January 31st, 2017 at 1:49:46 PM
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"DM"? Are they initials?? If so, what do they stand for? Perhaps the name prior to "Casino Nicaragua"?
I wonder if there were casino's back in the days of the Sandinistas?
I wonder if there were casino's back in the days of the Sandinistas?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
January 31st, 2017 at 4:12:19 PM
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I have no idea what the "DM" stands for on the Nicaraos chip. I even looked around all of the Central American countries in the MoGH Chip Guide for one like this but did not find anything. At least I can offer that the chip is from Chipco International, because we can see the CI logo just above the big M.
I suspect (not certain) that the Fiesta Managua chip is from Bud Jones because of the Right-on-Top diamond pip, but I don't have one in my collection that has those triangular edge inserts, like a split pyramid or something.
I suspect (not certain) that the Fiesta Managua chip is from Bud Jones because of the Right-on-Top diamond pip, but I don't have one in my collection that has those triangular edge inserts, like a split pyramid or something.
January 31st, 2017 at 4:16:45 PM
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Always enjoy your posts Konbu. Looking forward to the rest of your chips.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 1st, 2017 at 7:46:56 AM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Princess Casinos
Princess is located just next door to the Holiday Inn, which has it's own casino (Riviera) onsite that I'm presenting tomorrow. I walked from my hostel near the Metrocentro mall to the Princess and Riviera in the early evening around 6-7PM and did not feel danger, despite advisories online saying that Managua is a dangerous city.
Their website (http://princesscasinomanagua.com) claims to be the biggest and most modern casino in the country. They might have an airy floor with high ceiling, but they certainly don't have the most tables and variety of table games. That honor goes to the other Pharaohs casino which I will present in a few days.
I lost my notes for this casino as to the exact number of table games, but what they have on the website sounds about right. 2 roulettes, 3 BJ, 3 CSP, and the Baccarat Hold'em game where you get to choose to play bac and/or UTH. My notes have me playing $5 CSP and losing $37. They have a stage where there's live music on the weekends. The band was still setting up when I got there.
This chip is probably the nastiest chip I've ever collected. There were cleaner (relatively) ones but I chose this because it was in the best condition. One can imagine how much worse condition the other specimen were. I still haven't gotten around to cleaning it but I definitely need to give it a good bath before storage.
An additional note is that not all casinos here have $2.50 chips, so it's best to bet even amount in BJ to not get shorted.
City: Managua
Casino: Princess Casinos
Princess is located just next door to the Holiday Inn, which has it's own casino (Riviera) onsite that I'm presenting tomorrow. I walked from my hostel near the Metrocentro mall to the Princess and Riviera in the early evening around 6-7PM and did not feel danger, despite advisories online saying that Managua is a dangerous city.
Their website (http://princesscasinomanagua.com) claims to be the biggest and most modern casino in the country. They might have an airy floor with high ceiling, but they certainly don't have the most tables and variety of table games. That honor goes to the other Pharaohs casino which I will present in a few days.
I lost my notes for this casino as to the exact number of table games, but what they have on the website sounds about right. 2 roulettes, 3 BJ, 3 CSP, and the Baccarat Hold'em game where you get to choose to play bac and/or UTH. My notes have me playing $5 CSP and losing $37. They have a stage where there's live music on the weekends. The band was still setting up when I got there.
This chip is probably the nastiest chip I've ever collected. There were cleaner (relatively) ones but I chose this because it was in the best condition. One can imagine how much worse condition the other specimen were. I still haven't gotten around to cleaning it but I definitely need to give it a good bath before storage.
An additional note is that not all casinos here have $2.50 chips, so it's best to bet even amount in BJ to not get shorted.
I CD-ROM.
February 1st, 2017 at 8:00:36 AM
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Lol it looks like chunks of mud on the chips, I can only imagine how bad the others were that this is the one that you chose to keep. I had this issue with a few of the Illinois casinos where all the chips were terrible so I chose the least terrible one.
I'm really fascinated by these posts Konbu. I'm sitting here and as I am reading thinking that this will be much easier for me if I end up collecting from Nicaragua in the future. So thank you for that.
I'm really fascinated by these posts Konbu. I'm sitting here and as I am reading thinking that this will be much easier for me if I end up collecting from Nicaragua in the future. So thank you for that.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 1st, 2017 at 8:58:56 PM
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I just wanted to say I've located my notes and there are exactly 8 tables at the Princess Casino. 4 CSP at $5-50, 2 BJ with CSM, and 2 roulette.
I CD-ROM.
February 2nd, 2017 at 7:23:54 AM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Riviera
Riviera is located onsite of the Holiday Inn. It's very compact and small casino. They have 1 roulette at $5, 2 CSP probably also at $5, and 1 BJ 4 deck shoe at $5- with several bonus bets. One is the face card insurance where you get paid 2 to 1 if the dealer doesn't pull a face card. Does that make sense? Unfortunately I didn't take very good notes and this is only from memory. The reason I remember is I watched a man playing $25-$50 a hand and $10 sometimes $20 on the bonus and the dealer would wait for the man to rebet the bonus each time after pulling a card. Note that the dealer in Nicaragua does not pull a hole card when dealing, and you only lose your original wager if the dealer gets BJ. Anyway, the max bet escapes my memory, but my notes do say that if betting more than $200 there's no doubling.
I ended up doing my usual column bet at roulette and lost $9. I cannot recall at all why I have a roulette chip. I wonder if I was in such a hurry that I forgot to exchange it back to cash chip?? And they let me walk away with it??? Almost everywhere I went where I did roulette, I had problem getting cash chips, and it's not like I don't speak Spanish. Even after I explained to the dealer I was only playing for one spin and I'm keeping one as a souvenir, they would still give me roulette chips. And so this will have to do!
City: Managua
Casino: Riviera
Riviera is located onsite of the Holiday Inn. It's very compact and small casino. They have 1 roulette at $5, 2 CSP probably also at $5, and 1 BJ 4 deck shoe at $5- with several bonus bets. One is the face card insurance where you get paid 2 to 1 if the dealer doesn't pull a face card. Does that make sense? Unfortunately I didn't take very good notes and this is only from memory. The reason I remember is I watched a man playing $25-$50 a hand and $10 sometimes $20 on the bonus and the dealer would wait for the man to rebet the bonus each time after pulling a card. Note that the dealer in Nicaragua does not pull a hole card when dealing, and you only lose your original wager if the dealer gets BJ. Anyway, the max bet escapes my memory, but my notes do say that if betting more than $200 there's no doubling.
I ended up doing my usual column bet at roulette and lost $9. I cannot recall at all why I have a roulette chip. I wonder if I was in such a hurry that I forgot to exchange it back to cash chip?? And they let me walk away with it??? Almost everywhere I went where I did roulette, I had problem getting cash chips, and it's not like I don't speak Spanish. Even after I explained to the dealer I was only playing for one spin and I'm keeping one as a souvenir, they would still give me roulette chips. And so this will have to do!
I CD-ROM.
February 2nd, 2017 at 7:36:50 AM
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Thanks for the posts Konbu, I am enjoying them very much. Are there a lot of internationals in the Managuan casinos?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:11:57 AM
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Konbu (or anyone), can you identify that small emblem that appears four times on each side of the chip? Other than its having some similarity to a disoriented sperm cell, I don't recognize it at all.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:26:04 AM
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Hebe... Is it a version of the Riviera's "R"?Quote: DocKonbu (or anyone), can you identify that small emblem that appears four times on each side of the chip? Other than its having some similarity to a disoriented sperm cell, I don't recognize it at all.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 3rd, 2017 at 8:20:21 PM
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I can't identify it either, but I can confirm it is not printed on, but debossed into the chip.Quote: DocKonbu (or anyone), can you identify that small emblem that appears four times on each side of the chip? Other than its having some similarity to a disoriented sperm cell, I don't recognize it at all.
And whew! I made the cutoff for CotD post!
Last edited by: Konbu on Feb 3, 2017
I CD-ROM.
February 3rd, 2017 at 8:39:58 PM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Palms Casino
Palms Casino is located on the Masaya Highway not too far away from the Metrocentro mall . This is the main highway to Masaya and Granada. They have 2 roulette at $5-500 and $5-50 for inside bets, with other bets like the 1-9 10-18 19-27 28-36 that pays 3 to 1 (what is it called??) among others, 2 CSP at $10-100, 2 BJ at $5-300. It's the best casino in my opinion because it also has PGP!!! at $10-300, just installed 2 weeks ago according to the supervisor. But that's not it! I thought I pushed once when my low copied but I got paid! I looked at the posted rules and it said if low hand pushes and high wins then I win! It didn't say anything about if low wins and high pushes though, so I assume in that case the bet would push. Also there was bonus bet but the paytable was really lame like 1 Straight / 2 Flush / 3 Full House / 5 Poker (whatever that means, probably A 10 J Q K unsuited??) / 25 St Flush / 50 Royal Flush / 75 Five Aces. I played 2 hands at $10~20 and lost $7 after about 10-12 rounds. It was hand shuffled. Per the dealers and super mostly Asian people would play it but not the locals. It's the complete opposite in Costa Rica.
This chip feels just like the Riviera one, but without any emboss or deboss.
City: Managua
Casino: Palms Casino
Palms Casino is located on the Masaya Highway not too far away from the Metrocentro mall . This is the main highway to Masaya and Granada. They have 2 roulette at $5-500 and $5-50 for inside bets, with other bets like the 1-9 10-18 19-27 28-36 that pays 3 to 1 (what is it called??) among others, 2 CSP at $10-100, 2 BJ at $5-300. It's the best casino in my opinion because it also has PGP!!! at $10-300, just installed 2 weeks ago according to the supervisor. But that's not it! I thought I pushed once when my low copied but I got paid! I looked at the posted rules and it said if low hand pushes and high wins then I win! It didn't say anything about if low wins and high pushes though, so I assume in that case the bet would push. Also there was bonus bet but the paytable was really lame like 1 Straight / 2 Flush / 3 Full House / 5 Poker (whatever that means, probably A 10 J Q K unsuited??) / 25 St Flush / 50 Royal Flush / 75 Five Aces. I played 2 hands at $10~20 and lost $7 after about 10-12 rounds. It was hand shuffled. Per the dealers and super mostly Asian people would play it but not the locals. It's the complete opposite in Costa Rica.
This chip feels just like the Riviera one, but without any emboss or deboss.
I CD-ROM.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:27:07 AM
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Quote: Konbu... with other bets like the 1-9 10-18 19-27 28-36 that pays 3 to 1 (what is it called??)
This chip feels just like the Riviera one, but without any emboss or deboss.
I'm not a roulette player, but I don't think I have ever seen that set of bets. I have usually just seen "dozens" (1-12, 13-24, and 25-36, paying off the same as the columns) and Low/High (1-18 and 19-36, paying off like red/black or odd/even).
Again, we obviously have a ceramic chip from Chipco International, with the CI logo visible at about the 1:30 position and about half way out.
February 4th, 2017 at 8:00:04 PM
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Country: Nicaragua
City: Managua
Casino: Pharaohs (From Pharaohs Central)
Pharaos Central is also located on the Masaya Highway near Palms casino and not too far away from the Metrocentro mall. They have the most games but none which I particularly like. They have a roulette at $5-25 inside and max $250 for 1 to 1 bets and max $125 for 2 to 1 bets. 1 CSP at $3-100, 2 BJ from $5, 1 BJ Switch also from $5, and 1 3CP at $3-100 with a pair plus min $1 paytable of 1 Pair / 3 Flush / 6 Straight / 30 Trips / 40 St Flush. Remember that human sized banner advertising BJ switch at the other Pharaohs casino? Yep they had it here too, but no one played it while I was there. I played 3CP for the chip and luckily hit a trip with $2 on the bonus. There was a live band playing music and drink service was pretty fast. I don't know if alcoholic drinks are free or not.
This chip is the nicest one I got in Nicaragua. The insert is copper color that has a little shimmer to it, kind of like the ink bottle on the $100 bill.
Tomorrow we move on to Costa Rica!
City: Managua
Casino: Pharaohs (From Pharaohs Central)
Pharaos Central is also located on the Masaya Highway near Palms casino and not too far away from the Metrocentro mall. They have the most games but none which I particularly like. They have a roulette at $5-25 inside and max $250 for 1 to 1 bets and max $125 for 2 to 1 bets. 1 CSP at $3-100, 2 BJ from $5, 1 BJ Switch also from $5, and 1 3CP at $3-100 with a pair plus min $1 paytable of 1 Pair / 3 Flush / 6 Straight / 30 Trips / 40 St Flush. Remember that human sized banner advertising BJ switch at the other Pharaohs casino? Yep they had it here too, but no one played it while I was there. I played 3CP for the chip and luckily hit a trip with $2 on the bonus. There was a live band playing music and drink service was pretty fast. I don't know if alcoholic drinks are free or not.
This chip is the nicest one I got in Nicaragua. The insert is copper color that has a little shimmer to it, kind of like the ink bottle on the $100 bill.
Tomorrow we move on to Costa Rica!
I CD-ROM.
February 4th, 2017 at 8:48:21 PM
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Very cool Konbu! If the $1 chips are sand colored, what colors are the other denominations? Are they consistent within Nicaragua?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 4th, 2017 at 9:43:00 PM
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This chip design is similar to the Icon "6 split" design, but doesn't quite match, since the edge inserts of each of the six pairs are split a little too far, I think. The real 6 split design is shown on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas chip posted by wezvidz. I have just one chip with the same (?) design as this Pharaohs chip, and that is the one I posted from the Seaport Casino in Aruba and speculated that it might be a 6 split. Now I don't think it is and don't know who made it. Anyone got better ideas?
As a side note, I have a terrible time remembering how to spell "pharaohs". And why do so many casinos and chips seem to have themes based on ancient Egypt?
As a side note, I have a terrible time remembering how to spell "pharaohs". And why do so many casinos and chips seem to have themes based on ancient Egypt?
February 5th, 2017 at 1:39:52 AM
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Konbu that chip is gorgeous! Every so often I collect a chip and think wow that's an amazing design, that is what I thought when I saw this chip. When's the next flight to Nicaragua? 😂
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 6th, 2017 at 12:38:11 PM
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Country: Costa Rica
City: Liberia
Casino: Gallo Group (Casino Liberia)
Casino Liberia is one of two casinos in Liberia that I'm aware of. It is about 2 blocks east from the south side of the main town square. The other one I went to is the Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino near downtown, but when I went in the afternoon they said they would open tables at 7PM but when I went back the place was still empty and the lady manager said they weren't reopening the tables until early February. I told them I was upset because the day shift could have told me that when I went the first time but the lady kept a straight face and told me their tables were closed for some renovation. So the end is I did not get a chip from there. There may be other locals slots only parlors or pachinko / pinball style amusement games parlor in the area that I don't know about(see photo below). I've seen these everywhere, especially in the capital San Jose. They look like partial skill and luck game. I'm sure has been repurposed to be gambling machines, but in the 10-15 mins I watched people play in both Puntarenas and San Jose, no one won anything.
They have a Canasta table they were opening so I observed their opening procedures. The sup or dealer was pulling ping pong balls from a fabric bag one by one and weighing each ball on a small electronic scale like the postage/kitchen kind, recording the weight on a clipboard, then placing the balls on the felt in its number box. After that with one hand he grabbed 3 at a time starting from 36 and would load them into the spinning cage. Anyway, the limits were C 500 or $1 min inside and C 5000 or $5 outside (approx $1 ~ 550 Colones). Don't ask why such discrepancy exist for the outside minimum bet between the two currencies. I've found out it's pointless to discuss pricing differences in Latin America in general. Different mentality, perhaps. The other game they had was PGP at C 5,000-100,000 or $10-200, but it wasn't yet open by the time I lost at roulette erm I meant canasta.
They also had an electronic roulette game made by Abaco d.o.o Slovenia http://www.abaco-gm.com/roulette5ar.htm that has an older look with not a touch screen but a layout of about legal paper size 8.5" x 14 with soft buttons like in the slim remotes http://previews.123rf.com/images/mbongo/mbongo1011/mbongo101100009/8138288-Small-remote-control-isolated-on-white-background-Stock-Photo.jpg
So anyway I bought in to Canasta for $20 and asked for 2 $5 and 10 $1. I bet $10 on column and spread $9 inside, and the dealer decided (or the sup next to her told her to) give me $2 more to bet while the cage was being spun. I thanked them and put it inside as well, but nothing hit. So I lost $19 + $2 !
This chip is one of the crappiest I've collected because it looks just like home poker chips from Walmart! Only the C 5,000 and $1 chips and above have any printing on the chips, lower denominations in colones did not have any identifying printing on them.
As well, the Kamuk casino at Best Western in downtown Quepos and Hotel Byblos Resort and Casino near Quepos also shared the same chips from Gallo Group. I had the pleasure of losing $160 at BJ with CSM at Byblos without even adding anything to my collection.
Found on Google:
City: Liberia
Casino: Gallo Group (Casino Liberia)
Casino Liberia is one of two casinos in Liberia that I'm aware of. It is about 2 blocks east from the south side of the main town square. The other one I went to is the Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino near downtown, but when I went in the afternoon they said they would open tables at 7PM but when I went back the place was still empty and the lady manager said they weren't reopening the tables until early February. I told them I was upset because the day shift could have told me that when I went the first time but the lady kept a straight face and told me their tables were closed for some renovation. So the end is I did not get a chip from there. There may be other locals slots only parlors or pachinko / pinball style amusement games parlor in the area that I don't know about(see photo below). I've seen these everywhere, especially in the capital San Jose. They look like partial skill and luck game. I'm sure has been repurposed to be gambling machines, but in the 10-15 mins I watched people play in both Puntarenas and San Jose, no one won anything.
They have a Canasta table they were opening so I observed their opening procedures. The sup or dealer was pulling ping pong balls from a fabric bag one by one and weighing each ball on a small electronic scale like the postage/kitchen kind, recording the weight on a clipboard, then placing the balls on the felt in its number box. After that with one hand he grabbed 3 at a time starting from 36 and would load them into the spinning cage. Anyway, the limits were C 500 or $1 min inside and C 5000 or $5 outside (approx $1 ~ 550 Colones). Don't ask why such discrepancy exist for the outside minimum bet between the two currencies. I've found out it's pointless to discuss pricing differences in Latin America in general. Different mentality, perhaps. The other game they had was PGP at C 5,000-100,000 or $10-200, but it wasn't yet open by the time I lost at roulette erm I meant canasta.
They also had an electronic roulette game made by Abaco d.o.o Slovenia http://www.abaco-gm.com/roulette5ar.htm that has an older look with not a touch screen but a layout of about legal paper size 8.5" x 14 with soft buttons like in the slim remotes http://previews.123rf.com/images/mbongo/mbongo1011/mbongo101100009/8138288-Small-remote-control-isolated-on-white-background-Stock-Photo.jpg
So anyway I bought in to Canasta for $20 and asked for 2 $5 and 10 $1. I bet $10 on column and spread $9 inside, and the dealer decided (or the sup next to her told her to) give me $2 more to bet while the cage was being spun. I thanked them and put it inside as well, but nothing hit. So I lost $19 + $2 !
This chip is one of the crappiest I've collected because it looks just like home poker chips from Walmart! Only the C 5,000 and $1 chips and above have any printing on the chips, lower denominations in colones did not have any identifying printing on them.
As well, the Kamuk casino at Best Western in downtown Quepos and Hotel Byblos Resort and Casino near Quepos also shared the same chips from Gallo Group. I had the pleasure of losing $160 at BJ with CSM at Byblos without even adding anything to my collection.
Found on Google:
I CD-ROM.
February 6th, 2017 at 1:14:15 PM
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Is the Gallo Group logo supposed to be a rooster? I like the deep blue color. Strange about not opening tables for weeks on end. From your description, it sounds like you got an informal 86'ing.
Regarding the "skill" machines, how does the game play work? I see three buttons on the console, and what appears to be a "plunger" on the front of the cabinet. Are there flippers?
Regarding the "skill" machines, how does the game play work? I see three buttons on the console, and what appears to be a "plunger" on the front of the cabinet. Are there flippers?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 6th, 2017 at 1:18:12 PM
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Really interesting write up. I've yet to encounter too many problems like this. You and Doc seem to find these problems in central and South America. That chip is lower quality than anything I've ever collected. I'm thoroughly confused why they gave you $2 extra.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 6th, 2017 at 2:15:19 PM
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That Gallo Group chip reminds me a bit of a similar-but-different low-end chip I got at the Ocean Gaming facility in New Hampshire. That one looks like something you could get from a dozen different manufacturers in China. Do you know whether there is any significance to the Gallo Group chip having three different designs of crowns?
February 6th, 2017 at 3:44:10 PM
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Quote: DocThat Gallo Group chip reminds me a bit of a similar-but-different low-end chip I got at the Ocean Gaming facility in New Hampshire. That one looks like something you could get from a dozen different manufacturers in China. Do you know whether there is any significance to the Gallo Group chip having three different designs of crowns?
The three crowns appear to not be significant as this chip design is offered on the same website as a Chinese manufacturer referenced in Doc's Ocean Gaming entry linked above. See the "three crowns" for sale here.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 6th, 2017 at 7:21:15 PM
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Wow, they are really cheap chips!
The design is an outline of a cock.
There are I think 6 balls that you shoot into the game area with a manual plunger. I think you are supposed to get the balls into a particular set of holes and the top board lights up a certain way as confirmation. There are no flippers, so your only control is how hard you work the plunger, and maybe bumping the machines pinball-style, though I'm sure the attendant wouldn't be too happy.
The $2 was perhaps a bonus/welcome gift of some sort. I got unsolicited match plays at 2 other casinos right after I sat down and bought in.
The design is an outline of a cock.
There are I think 6 balls that you shoot into the game area with a manual plunger. I think you are supposed to get the balls into a particular set of holes and the top board lights up a certain way as confirmation. There are no flippers, so your only control is how hard you work the plunger, and maybe bumping the machines pinball-style, though I'm sure the attendant wouldn't be too happy.
The $2 was perhaps a bonus/welcome gift of some sort. I got unsolicited match plays at 2 other casinos right after I sat down and bought in.
I CD-ROM.
February 6th, 2017 at 8:13:54 PM
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Hey free money is free money I guess. How many more chips do you have to post cause I haven't even attempted to clean or photograph my chips yet.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 6th, 2017 at 9:12:24 PM
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Well, back here, he said:Quote: PokerGrinderHow many more chips do you have to post cause I haven't even attempted to clean or photograph my chips yet.
So far, he has posted 7 of them, so it looks as if you have almost two weeks to get ready.Quote: KonbuOK I collected from 20 casinos in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, several with 2 denominations collected. ... I'll try for a daily posting but can't guarantee it.
However, we know that it will take you a month. ;-)
February 6th, 2017 at 11:34:26 PM
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Quote: KonbuWow, they are really cheap chips!...
Well, the minimum order is 200,000 pieces.
If you win on the 6 ball game, how do you cash out? I doubt it prints a ticket. Is there a coin tray? This could certainly be a "skill based" game in Las Vegas or New Jersey.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
February 7th, 2017 at 5:08:57 AM
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Quote: DocWell, back here, he said:
So far, he has posted 7 of them, so it looks as if you have almost two weeks to get ready.
However, we know that it will take you a month. ;-)
I actually just laughed out loud when I read that comment Doc. It's so true 😆
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
February 7th, 2017 at 8:39:34 AM
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There is a coin tray in the lower left of the machine.Quote: AyecarumbaIf you win on the 6 ball game, how do you cash out? I doubt it prints a ticket. Is there a coin tray? This could certainly be a "skill based" game in Las Vegas or New Jersey.
I CD-ROM.
February 7th, 2017 at 8:44:10 AM
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Country: Costa Rica
City: Jacó
Casino: Croc's Casino Resort
This was the nicest casino I visited in Costa Rica, with a good number and variety of games that would rival even a smaller downtown Las Vegas. It is a bit away from the main drag of Jaco where all the bars/party goes on and away from the famous/infamous Cocal, which will be covered next.
It has a total of 16 tables. 3CP $5-100, Roulette $5-? outside $10 min, PGP $25-?, Baccarat, Rummy, and a Craps table that wasn't yet open at 630PM at $5-300 345x odds double field. All the tables here only posted in USD and I didn't look hard enough in the tray to see if they might have chips in Colones.
Only the 3CP, Rummy, and Roulette was open so I went to the Roulette table. I had the most trouble here with my usual request of 3 red and 5 whites. There was no one at the table so I bought in for $20. After a few quick back and forth in a hushed tone with the nearby sup, he gave me 4 reds. I gave one back and asked for change telling the dealer specifically I wanted 5 ones of "value chips, not roulette chips" in Spanish. He talked to the sup some more then gave me 5 roulette chips. The whole time there the only thing the dealer said to me was "the minimum outside is $10" after he gave me the 5 roulette chips so I'm upset by now and told him he didn't have to tell me because I saw the info on the plaque. I placed $19 in one of the column and promptly lost (feels like I always lose when in a bad mood) so I threw in my lone roulette chip and said "cambio!" At last I got my $1 chip. I made sure they saw me put it in my pocket and out I walked without looking back. I know the Wizard have said dealers there are not conversant but that wasn't my experience everywhere else I visited, especially in Nicaragua. This dealer and the sup were both either stickler for some procedures or being big time HOLES looking down on my $20 buy-in. No wonder the place was empty because all the ladies were at the Cocal. And with this attitude I can't see them having much repeat customers at the casino (the hotel itself is really nice though).
Anyway, rant over. The chip is your standard tophat chip. The second tophat I collected on this trip that's in good condition, compared to the Princess. Nothing special to report.
City: Jacó
Casino: Croc's Casino Resort
This was the nicest casino I visited in Costa Rica, with a good number and variety of games that would rival even a smaller downtown Las Vegas. It is a bit away from the main drag of Jaco where all the bars/party goes on and away from the famous/infamous Cocal, which will be covered next.
It has a total of 16 tables. 3CP $5-100, Roulette $5-? outside $10 min, PGP $25-?, Baccarat, Rummy, and a Craps table that wasn't yet open at 630PM at $5-300 345x odds double field. All the tables here only posted in USD and I didn't look hard enough in the tray to see if they might have chips in Colones.
Only the 3CP, Rummy, and Roulette was open so I went to the Roulette table. I had the most trouble here with my usual request of 3 red and 5 whites. There was no one at the table so I bought in for $20. After a few quick back and forth in a hushed tone with the nearby sup, he gave me 4 reds. I gave one back and asked for change telling the dealer specifically I wanted 5 ones of "value chips, not roulette chips" in Spanish. He talked to the sup some more then gave me 5 roulette chips. The whole time there the only thing the dealer said to me was "the minimum outside is $10" after he gave me the 5 roulette chips so I'm upset by now and told him he didn't have to tell me because I saw the info on the plaque. I placed $19 in one of the column and promptly lost (feels like I always lose when in a bad mood) so I threw in my lone roulette chip and said "cambio!" At last I got my $1 chip. I made sure they saw me put it in my pocket and out I walked without looking back. I know the Wizard have said dealers there are not conversant but that wasn't my experience everywhere else I visited, especially in Nicaragua. This dealer and the sup were both either stickler for some procedures or being big time HOLES looking down on my $20 buy-in. No wonder the place was empty because all the ladies were at the Cocal. And with this attitude I can't see them having much repeat customers at the casino (the hotel itself is really nice though).
Anyway, rant over. The chip is your standard tophat chip. The second tophat I collected on this trip that's in good condition, compared to the Princess. Nothing special to report.
I CD-ROM.
February 7th, 2017 at 8:53:05 AM
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Love that this thread is alive and kicking!
Got a question for ya'll. Doing a trip in 2 weeks to collect chips around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
My current driving plan:
ABQ
Isleta Casino & Resort
Route 66 Casino Hotel
Sky City Casino Hotel
Sandia Resort & Casino (stay overnight)
------------------
Santa Ana Star
San Felipe Casino Hollywood?***
Camel Rock Casino
Buffalo Thunder
Big Rock Casino
Ohkay Resort***
hotel
------------------------------
fly out SAF
The two *** casinos have a chip posted in this thread as of 2013, but neither site lists table games at all anymore. Both just mention slots. I'm going to call this week to see if they're worth a stop or if table games were shut down.
Anyone know if I'm missing any easy stops around those cities that aren't on my list? New places or casinos I missed on Google?
Looks like Isleta Casino & Resort will be a new contribution for this thread when I collect that one. Thanks for any info ya'll.
Got a question for ya'll. Doing a trip in 2 weeks to collect chips around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
My current driving plan:
ABQ
Isleta Casino & Resort
Route 66 Casino Hotel
Sky City Casino Hotel
Sandia Resort & Casino (stay overnight)
------------------
Santa Ana Star
San Felipe Casino Hollywood?***
Camel Rock Casino
Buffalo Thunder
Big Rock Casino
Ohkay Resort***
hotel
------------------------------
fly out SAF
The two *** casinos have a chip posted in this thread as of 2013, but neither site lists table games at all anymore. Both just mention slots. I'm going to call this week to see if they're worth a stop or if table games were shut down.
Anyone know if I'm missing any easy stops around those cities that aren't on my list? New places or casinos I missed on Google?
Looks like Isleta Casino & Resort will be a new contribution for this thread when I collect that one. Thanks for any info ya'll.
