Yippee! As good as #000 mailers in your box is Doug Saito's Chip Chat. This issue has got to be one of the all-time best. Well, it was for me since it pushed a few of my buttons and illuminated and cast shadows (!) on some of my chips. The story of the Castaways dovetail only points up my ambivalence to some chip pricing conventions. I've "blue-dotted" the price I paid (smiley face on me!) because the guy I bought it from polarizes the hobby, but he was kind to me when I was a collecting tyro. Naw, I'm not interested in some silly potshots at him, so just guess what this badboy was asking. The story of the Bank Club chips left me to wonderin' about the trip my examples took into my pile. Hmmm.

For those of you who still aren't Chip Chat subscribers or are new, here are the particulars of this outstanding publication. Contact:
Doug Saito
4056 Front St.
San Diego, CA. 92103 (619) 296-3502

Doug doesn't have an online presence so best bet is to call him (one of the nicest guys around) and order up six issues a year for the cheap price of $18. An issue typically has 25-30 chips on auction (Doug's or consignment) and maybe 15 for sale. Cheapies to so-called "better" (la-de-dah!) chips. Included is authoritative chip history of included chips ("The Way It Was At XYZ Casino") as well as Saitoisms and artifacts from the Saitosonian! Want some 30¢ chips? They're in this issue! Want another take on chip cleaning? Included! Commentary on Doug's view of a particular chip's place in the hobby. Look out for the postcard and matchbook images if you're overly sensetive... or have no sense.

Also, to try before you buy, stop by Doug's table at Jim Munding's Reno show and pick up the next issue of Chip Chat! Sorry to be so Chatty, but we like to drink good beer here in Portland.