Katie, I rarely have trouble getting chips from the cage in Nevada casinos. Can be different in other places. An easy alternative is to buy a stack of chips at the crap table. You can stand at the rail without betting, pretending to get a feel for the action on the table. Just make sure you aren't next to the shooter, or you will have the dice presented to you if he sevens-out (although you can pass the dice). Sort through the stack for the best ones, then cash in the balance at the cage. This is less conspicuous than buying-in and not playing at blackjack or most other table games.