Collecting casino chips
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:43:17 AM
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I've noticed in some of the posts by the various chip collectors that they occasionally get their chips from the casino's cashier.
I've been collecting chips for about 4 years and have not been able to get a single chip from the cashiers.
Each time I've been been told that the casino rules do not allow them to sell me a chip. This has happened in casinos in NV., WI., MN., and MI.
I'm buying a single chip in case that may make the difference.
The cashier at one of the Fremont St. casinos told me that not only she couldn't sell me a chip but that the table dealers aren't allowed to either. I would have to find a cocktail waitress and try to buy one of her chips that she might have gotten as a tip.
Since I'm not a table game player my only option has been to find a open table without any players and try to buy a chip from the dealer.
This summer I'm planning on an 8 casino, 2 day round trip in Michigan's UP. Unfortunately, many of those smaller casinos won't have their table games yet open when I stop in.
Thus, I'm thinking about trying leaving the $ with a SASE.
Anybody tried that approach? If so, was it successful?
I've been collecting chips for about 4 years and have not been able to get a single chip from the cashiers.
Each time I've been been told that the casino rules do not allow them to sell me a chip. This has happened in casinos in NV., WI., MN., and MI.
I'm buying a single chip in case that may make the difference.
The cashier at one of the Fremont St. casinos told me that not only she couldn't sell me a chip but that the table dealers aren't allowed to either. I would have to find a cocktail waitress and try to buy one of her chips that she might have gotten as a tip.
Since I'm not a table game player my only option has been to find a open table without any players and try to buy a chip from the dealer.
This summer I'm planning on an 8 casino, 2 day round trip in Michigan's UP. Unfortunately, many of those smaller casinos won't have their table games yet open when I stop in.
Thus, I'm thinking about trying leaving the $ with a SASE.
Anybody tried that approach? If so, was it successful?
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:09:35 AM
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Why don't you just buy in for $20 in chips at a $5 or $10 table or at the cashier and then cash out $19.
If these idiots want to make more work for themselves, that's up to them.
I doubt they would mail you a chip if they wouldn't sell you one in person.
If these idiots want to make more work for themselves, that's up to them.
I doubt they would mail you a chip if they wouldn't sell you one in person.
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:19:23 AM
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If the casino is that small, then the one cage also handles cashing out slot tickets.Quote: mapleman... Unfortunately, many of those smaller casinos won't have their table games yet open when I stop in.
I.E. The cage is always open.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:14:20 AM
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I have only purchased chips at the cage for my collection in the three instances where the table games were closed when I got there. In each of those cases, I asked the cashier when the tables would be open, and explained my interest in collecting. Each time, they offered to sell me the chip if I wanted. Seems you have had a different experience.
I know that when casinos issue commemorative chips many people buy them at the cage. Sometimes, that is the only place you can get the commemoratives, at least until the interest dries up and they start using them at the tables.
I would not recommend leaving money with anyone you don't know personally, even $1, in hopes of having them send a chip later. I would expect it to go directly into their pocket and stay there.
For the casinos that are in operation, if they insist on your getting chips at the table and if you are willing to risk paying $2 for your chip, here's my suggestion: head to the Big 6 wheel, buy two $1 chips from the dealer, bet one of them and leave, with or without any winnings. Losing a buck in each casino won't hurt your wallet all that much, and it could be a moment of surprise/pleasure if you hit something on that one spin. Then you could take those winnings back to the cashier and smirk at them while you cash in all but one.
I know that when casinos issue commemorative chips many people buy them at the cage. Sometimes, that is the only place you can get the commemoratives, at least until the interest dries up and they start using them at the tables.
I would not recommend leaving money with anyone you don't know personally, even $1, in hopes of having them send a chip later. I would expect it to go directly into their pocket and stay there.
For the casinos that are in operation, if they insist on your getting chips at the table and if you are willing to risk paying $2 for your chip, here's my suggestion: head to the Big 6 wheel, buy two $1 chips from the dealer, bet one of them and leave, with or without any winnings. Losing a buck in each casino won't hurt your wallet all that much, and it could be a moment of surprise/pleasure if you hit something on that one spin. Then you could take those winnings back to the cashier and smirk at them while you cash in all but one.
March 22nd, 2012 at 9:40:30 AM
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I just read that ACH in Atlantic City has gotten permission to use 25-cent and 50-cent gambling chips.
ACH gambling chips
ACH gambling chips
"What, me worry?"
March 22nd, 2012 at 9:46:53 AM
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I played at the Atlantic Club on Monday night and i can confirm
they were using $0.50 (sky blue) and $0.25 (peach) chips at the $3 craps table,
and to make change on commission at pai gow.
The place was nearly empty by the way.
I do not think it is going to last for much longer.
they were using $0.50 (sky blue) and $0.25 (peach) chips at the $3 craps table,
and to make change on commission at pai gow.
The place was nearly empty by the way.
I do not think it is going to last for much longer.
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:06:23 AM
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There should always be a place for grind joints.
"What, me worry?"
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:08:49 PM
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I've heard innumerable times that postal agencies the world over encourage stamp colelcting, becasue that gives them a market for stamps that won't be used. On that vein, why don't casinos encourage chip collecting? Say you can sell a couple of hundred dollars a day of chips that won't be used. That does add up eventually. Not to mention the opportunities for multiple special editions, commemorative editions, collectors' sets, etc etc.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:14:23 PM
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They do. That's what commemoratives are all about. It's also why $1 commemorative chips like the one I posted as today's Casino Chip of the Day are not very common -- they would prefer that you take home the higher denomination chips.Quote: NareedOn that vein, why don't casinos encourage chip collecting?
Some casinos have wall displays of various commemorative chips they have issued, to try to attract attention to the idea of collecting, the same way the post office (in the U.S. at least) has images of new issue stamps on display.
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:20:08 PM
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I think Nareed's asking why some people have gotten resistance when attempting to purchase chips at the cage or at an idle table.
GOOD question.
For the record, the Palms has so many different designs, that it actually worked against them. I only played there once, for about an hour, this past October. In that time, I counted about 17 different $5 designs - and I only bought in for $100! When I went to the cage, they had every design on the wall, with indicators of which ones were still available. Although I didn't ask (hell, I didn't even keep one of the chips I had to cash in), but I bet they will sell you whatever design you wanted. It would not surprise me to learn that they keep a batch of uncirculated chips at the cage, just for collectors.
GOOD question.
For the record, the Palms has so many different designs, that it actually worked against them. I only played there once, for about an hour, this past October. In that time, I counted about 17 different $5 designs - and I only bought in for $100! When I went to the cage, they had every design on the wall, with indicators of which ones were still available. Although I didn't ask (hell, I didn't even keep one of the chips I had to cash in), but I bet they will sell you whatever design you wanted. It would not surprise me to learn that they keep a batch of uncirculated chips at the cage, just for collectors.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:33:10 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearI think Nareed's asking why some people have gotten resistance when attempting to purchase chips at the cage or at an idle table.
In part. They should be happy to make a small, easy profit on the side. I understand Doc saying the casinos would steer you to the higher denominations. It costs about the same to make a white than a red chip, after all, but you charge more for the latter.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:40:33 PM
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I have run into a similar situation. The work around that I use is to buy into a craps or blackjack game and request $1 chips, and let them know you are looking for some to save.
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:09:58 PM
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It becomes an accounting issue. Just as revenue cannot be recognized on a sale until the transaction is complete, this would be considered "open" money. For all they know you could have the intention to return to the casino and use/cash in the chips, so they cannot declare the cash received as revenue because essentially you are still holding a cash equivalent. With stamps it is different because once the stamp is purchased the transaction is complete, you can't return your stamps and demand your money back, or try to make money money off of your stamp by gambling it.
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:18:04 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBear
For the record, the Palms has so many different designs, that it actually worked against them. I only played there once, for about an hour, this past October. In that time, I counted about 17 different $5 designs - and I only bought in for $100!
Wait until you find out how many designs the Hard Rock has...They have well over 100!
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:18:42 PM
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Quote: winmonkeyspit3With stamps it is different because once the stamp is purchased the transaction is complete, you can't return your stamps and demand your money back, or try to make money money off of your stamp by gambling it.
You can use them to mail something. I think with stamps the transaction is complete only when a post office cancels them with a rubber stamp.
But I do take your point. A "sold" chip is like a writen check not yet cashed. You can't count on that money in your account, nor write it off, until you get the check back, or the person you gave it to cashes it.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:24:15 PM
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Maybe it depends on the casino.
The plaza, and a few other Vegas places let me buy a dollar chip from the cage. The hard rock in Tampa wouldn't.
The tropicana gave me a rack of 100 $1 chips no questions asked when I was getting them for wedding favors.
The plaza, and a few other Vegas places let me buy a dollar chip from the cage. The hard rock in Tampa wouldn't.
The tropicana gave me a rack of 100 $1 chips no questions asked when I was getting them for wedding favors.
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:34:16 PM
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Quote: dlevinelawThe tropicana gave me a rack of 100 $1 chips no questions asked when I was getting them for wedding favors.
Did they give you the rack? SCORE!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:37:15 PM
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I've been collecting chips for a couple years now, but they are all $5 chips (about 30 casinos). Should I be collecting $1 chips instead? Whatcha think?
"I don't have a gambling problem. I have a financial problem."
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:38:05 PM
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Yep! I keep some of my chips in it.
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:42:48 PM
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Quote: DanMahownyI've been collecting chips for a couple years now, but they are all $5 chips (about 30 casinos). Should I be collecting $1 chips instead? Whatcha think?
As in gambling, the advice is the same: collect what you enjoy collecting.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:19:22 PM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:01:50 PM
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In the UK I find it almost impossible to buy chips from the cashier. One reason is they like to keep an accurate count of each game's handle (i.e chips bought) so selling them at the cage distorts the figures. Also the chips at £1 or less cost more than that to make.
In the UK there have been a few commemorative chips - but not as many as you can see at some of the casinos. Sometimes it seems they have lots of issues, as you say on sale. For me that devalues the idea, so I only collect any strictly less than $5 (i.e. $4 and less).
I play 18xx (a railway board game) and came across a Station Casino (Colorado) mid-afternoon where I asked for 200 $1 and admitted that I'd like to take the best 20 home - they seemed quite happy. (As an aside we use chips rather than paper money when playing the game as it makes it faster.) The other place was Cripple Creek where quite a few of the casinos had put out Millennium sets in perspex - I think on one occasion I handed back the biggest chip but kept the rest.
The worst case was trying to get a Euro1 chip from Monte Carlo (see http://www.capatrick.freeserve.co.uk/images/gmch-0001.jpg on http://www.capatrick.freeserve.co.uk/gmch-chips.html) - they only use it on Trente et Quarante.
In the UK there have been a few commemorative chips - but not as many as you can see at some of the casinos. Sometimes it seems they have lots of issues, as you say on sale. For me that devalues the idea, so I only collect any strictly less than $5 (i.e. $4 and less).
I play 18xx (a railway board game) and came across a Station Casino (Colorado) mid-afternoon where I asked for 200 $1 and admitted that I'd like to take the best 20 home - they seemed quite happy. (As an aside we use chips rather than paper money when playing the game as it makes it faster.) The other place was Cripple Creek where quite a few of the casinos had put out Millennium sets in perspex - I think on one occasion I handed back the biggest chip but kept the rest.
The worst case was trying to get a Euro1 chip from Monte Carlo (see http://www.capatrick.freeserve.co.uk/images/gmch-0001.jpg on http://www.capatrick.freeserve.co.uk/gmch-chips.html) - they only use it on Trente et Quarante.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:06:42 PM
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I don't collect chips and I fail to see why casinos don't approve of chip collectors since those chips will never be redeemed.
I've seen a middle aged woman walk up to a craps dealer and ask for a souvenir chip. He not only gave her one promptly, he commented that it was a fresh one that had just seen action that morning... and he handed it to her directly into her hand without anyone writing him up for it.
Its known as customer service. She wants a momento... she gets a momento. You want to keep a customer happy or you want to make an enemy?
I've seen a middle aged woman walk up to a craps dealer and ask for a souvenir chip. He not only gave her one promptly, he commented that it was a fresh one that had just seen action that morning... and he handed it to her directly into her hand without anyone writing him up for it.
Its known as customer service. She wants a momento... she gets a momento. You want to keep a customer happy or you want to make an enemy?
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:31:19 PM
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Most of the $5 chips look much prettier than most of the $1 chips. But I'm too cheap to collect anything but the $1 ones. There are currently 285 of them, representing 285 casinos, on display on my desktop, under the glass. In terms of face value, they cost me $285; if I had collected reds, I would have $1,425 tied up in a pretty display. The greens tend to be even prettier, but going down that road, I would have more than $7,000 tied up in souvenir chips. That isn't compatible with my cheapskate nature. If I collected blacks .... nah, the $1 chips are enough fun for me.Quote: DanMahownyI've been collecting chips for a couple years now, but they are all $5 chips (about 30 casinos). Should I be collecting $1 chips instead? Whatcha think?
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:33:53 PM
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Quote: DanMahownyI've been collecting chips for a couple years now, but they are all $5 chips (about 30 casinos). Should I be collecting $1 chips instead? Whatcha think?
The nice thing about the $5 chips is that if a casino was going to do a special insert, it would usually be the lowest value. It is relatively expensive to produce limited editions, and having them start at $5 provides the casino with a comfortable margin.
For me, it is too expensive for a souvenir. I wouldn't spend $5 on a souvenir in the gift shop, but I might spend a buck.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:49:57 PM
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Unless there is a significant market with upward potential, I would not buy a chip as a souvenir either. My companion is Queen of Knick Knacks and tends to buy such things as tiny little guitar pins from the Florida Hard Rock.Quote: AyecarumbaFor me, it is too expensive for a souvenir. I wouldn't spend $5 on a souvenir in the gift shop, but I might spend a buck.
Some of those one and two dollar moments are useful: paper clips, giant pens, etc.
Mostly the souvenir is the memory of "almost". Almost remembered the odds, almost took something down in time, almost ... .
