I really can't say with any certainty if the Hacienda chip would have brought more money at a live auction or not. Nobody can answer a hypothetical. I'm sure that Jim Steffner is pleased with the Ebay results for his chip and that's all that matters.

I do know that sometimes people afflicted with the "auction fever" will bid more than they had intended when the back and forth competitive juices start flowing during a "live" auction and they have additional time to think if they want to risk letting go a four-figure chip .... or stay in the bidding with another hundred dollar bid before the auctioneer says, SOLD! Then the other bidder thinks the same way and pretty soon we're off to the races. How many times has a completely new bidder jump in on the action at the last minute after he/she has some time to digest who is bidding on the item on the block. I've witnessed too many scenarios as I've just described to discount the benefits of a live sale. My only point is that Ebay is not the final word on worth.

John; I'm sure that you know some high-end buyers who do not frequent this bb, nor do they buy chips on ebay. I personally know of a few such buyers who simply don't have the time to cruise ebay and rely on word of mouth when a scarce chip is offered.... or they have standing offers through some of the high-end dealers to purchase such items for them as they want to remain annonymous. Some of them are present at the annual club auctions though. You probably know a few of them too. I know that the three "wise-men" know their identities.