"That is why they started putting the grooves in them, to keep them from sticking."

It was to keep them from sliding off the stacks when a dealer cut them.
Actually the ones with the groves are a different formula chip.
They now sell a 3rd different formula chip without groves that is supposed to stay stacked when you cut them.
Both sell for less than the original BJ chip.

Dealers don't care what the formula is, they only know the reputation and it is guilt by association.