Ultra New Town Tavern is not that bad. Many collectors want you to think so so they can charge a million for a chip. (its worth a small premium for sure). I felt they do not like you to walk with chips. Poker is only game. Only at night. Yes it looks rough in this all black neighborhood behind Moulin Rouge. Ask for Mr. Green the owner. If you are lucky he might sell you a chip. He says he has old ones so good luck with that. I never got to see any.
Just act like you are the FBI (rent a white Chevy Impala & pull up right in front) like we did & talk to the nice old guys on the poker table. They were all real nice. Check that .45 the guy carries around that I noticed was a plain clothes security guard. If you want to interupt the poker game like I did & pass out flyers how you will pay top dollar for old chips that could be risky. You risk getting rolled so stay out of the bathroom. I didn't even get any old chips although a few said they had them. So you know what the place looks like heres a picture.
IF you meet a guy named Curtis & he promises to find you chips for money don't give him a dime! I got him to ride around in the back of my truck one day & show me houses that might have chips. We talked to about 6 people that thought we were a bit odd & we did get the New Brown Derby chips. Another family let us in & I could write a book on the stories. Thats where we got the old Cotton Club pics as the lady worked there & dealt to Sammy Davis & the colored who were not allowed to stay on the strip. Its a rough looking area but everyone was nice but be careful. THeres many bad areas in Vegas. This one is rough at times. Its 100% black. I guess I was a bit brave that sunny day I was there as my friend that went with me is a detective in Chicago & made me feel better when he told me how his neighborhood is just as bad. We did have to go back on Friday night to talk to guys at the poker table. I didnt get any extra current chips though.

Travelodge on Sahara by Freeway is now another name I noticed the other night. No games. Travelodge there didnt have any only the one on Tropicana. Western I agree is a spooky area. Its all the dope dealers & skanky hookers that make a person feel uncomfortable around there.

After all this maybe you are better off just buying chips you need off ebay or trading.