Sometimes referred to as the wild and wonderful (and sometimes zany) world of chip collecting, but none the less a fun place to be.

As new collector myself (just at four years) I will agree that there is no one place to go to quickly and completely fill-up on the basics of chip collecting. However, you have entered the one location that can provide you the basics (and then some) over time.

I invite you to do two things with this web-site:
1. Read it daily, and
2. Search the archives for more information.

Since it's inception I dare say that there has not been a single thing regarding chip collecting that has gone by un-discussed on this web-site And evey single post and reply (except for a hand-full that have been deleted for extreme usage problems) continues to exist in the archives.

This site is fully searchable, so that is always at your command. But sometimes, better yet, is to simply ask a question. Often times an informative response is a short wait away.

Anyway, no for some direct replies:

$1 chips are the most common chips traded, this is most likely because they are the most plentiful, the cheapest, practical denomination. However, your question is not answered if you are asking "most common traded" based on geographic locations (Atlantic City vs. Las Vegas, vs. Colorado, etc.), or type of chip (rack/house chips vs. Limited Edition chips, vs. No Cash Value chips, vs. roulette chips, etc.).

A "good" trade is when both parties are satisfied with the outcome. The underlying idea is that the trade is fair.

This hobby is not particularlty inexpensive! If you were to "buy the ones you wanted" to begin with, then you would likely pay a premium for evey chip. About $3 for evey $1 chip and $8 for every $5, and up depending on the popolarity and other factors. Of course you can go to the casinos and get them at face value, but there is a cost to drive/fly around.

The cheapest way to increase the collection is to have a casino nearby, where you have a ready suppy of chips at face value. Get some and then begin trading with others in your same position, but near another casino. Trade 10 for 10, or 5 for 5, with different people, to build your trader base. Then, participate in the Round Robins (RR). (Briefly, a round robin is where one collector puts up 30 - 50 traders and asks who is interested in being in on the RR. Once the list is full (8 - 10 people) the first person get all the chips and can exchange any and all for like amounts. The chips are then sent to the second person, who also exchanges and sends it on until it returns to the originator. (Search "Round Robin" in the archives.)

Yes, nearly all current chips sell at (or for more) than face value. Many, many obsolete chips sell for more than face value, HOWEVER some obsoletes sell for far less than face value. This is why a price guide is a good investment! You can also ask on this BBS for a value.

Anyway, just ask your questions here.

Now, its your turn. How long have you been collecting? Do you have a particular area of interest? Are you familiar with the chip collecting club? It is full of many, many wonderful members and offers a great annual convention and first-rate quarterly publication.

One such member is Greg Susong, the owner and web-master of this fine site. A site that can meet or excede all your expectations in the chip collecting world.

Let me once more say, Welcome aboard. I look forward to hearing more.

Jim Follis
On-Line Communications Director
CC&GTCC