I was browsing some auctions this evening and a couple things came to mind that I hoped that someone might be able to enlighten me on.

Regarding Table Felts, I was noticing lately some listings for felts where the logo for the casino is cut out. Unlike chips, cards and dice which can be used in a game to cheat or scam the casino out of money I wonder what the rational is for such control over the used felts. You can't bring your own layout to a game and if you could what advantage would you get from it? It isn't like someone can take a bunch of old layouts and start their own Casino with them and convince anyone that they are associated with the original user of the felts either. Besides what harm is there if some guy mounts one and hangs it on the wall in his den or builds a bar out of one. On a similar note, one auction was for a Hard Rock Roulette layout. The seller said that they now destroy them on the spot. Is that true and Why? The only rational for that statement or explaination that is, that I can think of might be the way felts are changed. One night, a few years ago, I was at The Orleans, playing BJ when a crew came in to change the felts. It was about 2am as they started stripping the felts from about 4 or 5 tables. We were allowed to keep playing at our table but were told that when they got to us we would be given 30 minutes warning. Between hands I would watch as the upholsterers stripped all the old felts and sub materials off the tables. We asked if we could get a couple and were given some when they closed our table. When the felts were completely installed and stapled down the excess was just sliced, or hacked, off. Thus when the felts were taken from the tables there were very rough edges that were of irregular thickness, especially along the flat side of the table. Several of the felts taken from the table seemed to be torn through in a few spots from being pulled off of the tables. They were in no way perfect but didn't appear to be "Deliberately" destroyed. The one I got was fairly soiled and worn, could be cleaned, had a few cigarette burns and was torn between the chip tray and the dealer. The Seller in the HR felt auction said that his felts are therefore very rare as they are in tact and weren't destroyed. Anyways, I see quite a few felts from time to time that are sold in tact. Surprisingly I see a lot of HR felts. In fact more, maybe, than any other casino. So, I ask why do some casinos cut the names out or "destroy" their felts.

On the shipping issue, not to start another thread on that subject, but I almost fell on the floor over this one. Thought some might enjoy a laugh and some holiday cheer.

What is this guy going to fill the bottle with before he ships it. Sand??? Maybe Lead?

I have ordered decks of cards by the dozen that didn't cost that much to ship. Cards I add are HEAVY when bought in quantity. I ordered 4 dozen over the summer and I don't think the shipping was over about 9 bucks. And, I don't think the bottle is really worth, say $15 either. I had figured on putting about $5 or $7 bucks for it, plus, REASONABLE, shipping but this is insane.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3261632206&category=35748