And some other minor details.

When someone says trade face for face, they mean, a $1 for a $1, $5 for $5 Etc. You won't find anyone I know who will trade you five $1's for a $5 however. So like chips, trade for equal chips.

You can also trade, value for value. Say that you have a common $5 chip which is still in play, close to you, and you want a chip which isn't in play anymore from someplace else. Let the negotiating begin. Maybe a $1 and $5 from your local casino, which you pick up in person, and the other person sends you a $5 LE from someplace you will never get to visit. Both parties pay the postage to ship to each other.

Yes, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, have more interest than other areas. However, there are people who collect Mississippi or Colorado or other areas. Some like riverboats which can be from a broad area.

Some states seem more like orphans, but still have many collectors. I collect Wisconsin and don't know many active collectors of this state. Also I have trouble finding missing chips that I would like to add, because many other people aren't interested.

Getting your traders, is as easy as picking them up from the casinos you visit. Start close and spread out when you have a weekend for a chip-trip.

You don't need to buy chips for your collection if you want to just trade for them. Eventually you will find what interests you, and there are many, many areas of casino chip collecting that you have to choose from.

I started with only $1 chips and soon moved up to $5 and $25 from some areas. Now I wish I had just said to myself, $2.50 chips and under only. Just for the reason that I am missing so many $1 chips from so many places, and it is just as much fun (maybe more?)having 100 $1 chips as 20 $5 chips.

When someone says "fractional" chips that means fractions of a dollar. You might find some around you. 50c and 25c chips. If not, they are less common, most of the time, than $1 and $5 chips.

But whatever you do, collect for fun. Any trade you make, that makes you happy and the other person happy, is a Good Trade. Don't get all tied up in values, if you find a chip you want. Don't think of this as a way to make a profit or as investment. It's a hobby.

I would say, that after cataloging, or looking through my chips, or maybe running my fingers through a box of chips, the most enjoyment for me is not the worth of the chips, by the value in the enjoyment and the hunt.

If I might be redundant, this goes for anyone getting started... 1) Join the club, the magazine is wonderful, 2) Buy a guide to chips from your area. Knowledge is the greatest protection you can buy. Most people are friendly, helpful and won't take advantage of a new collector. They want to continue to trade and build a good reputation. 3) Read this BB on a regular basis. You never know what little tid-bits from all over, will come up. 4) HAVE FUN!