"Happy is a day that brings chips in the mail."

Well if that's true, I just had the happiest day a chipper could dream of. I went to the mailbox and found not one, but FIVE packages, so I knew it was going to be a red-letter day, but that turned out to be a huge understatement.

Two of the packages were trades that I was expecting but were notable in their own right...

One contained a pair of Binion's Horseshoe Club dice (I'm an avid poker player), and the other contained a 2003 COTY El Cortez Don't Tread On Me $10 chip.

But the other three packages were totally unexpected. Now remember, keep in mind that I'm a Four Queens collector and I have a VERY limited chipping budget. Ready? Here's what was inside...

The first contained a complete set of Four Queens Bus Cards - 20 to be exact - and a note that said, simply, "Enjoy".

The second contained one of every other card the Four Queens has ever used - 17 of them total - one of which I was informed was very hard to come by...

The third package contained not one, but SIX chips off the Top Ten list on my Want List page from my web site...
> a 4Q 1997 Christmas
> a 4Q 1999 Christmas
> a 4Q Arbor Day
> a 4Q Bastille Day
> a 4Q Election Day 2000

It also contained something that I ogled (no pun intended) several times at the convention but couldn't really afford - a complete set of Palms Playboy Weekend chips in the jewel case!

And for those who realized I only listed five chips above, not the six I mentioned... I saved the best for last. As I pulled the last chip out of the package, my mouth literally fell open... it was another chip I'd seen at the convention - except the one I'd seen was more dingy and worn and the guy offered me a discounted price of $150 for it (WAY out of my price range) - a 1966 Four Queens Arodie! And one that appears to be in mint condition (at least to my novice eye)!

So in a single day, I received the most valuable slot card and the most valuable chip in my collection - both unexpectedly and both at no charge! So to all you new chippers out there - when you hear that what makes this hobby great is not the chips, but the people, believe it, and do everything you can to keep it this way.

My friends, to quote Miller Brewing Company... it just doesn't get any better than this.