Good points all.

Something that seems to make the most sense to me is specialize. However you might need to collect a bunch of chips, before you decide what you like best.

1) Pick local casinos, or closest states
2) $1 and under Nevada would keep anyone busy for life
3) Collect for what you like, not value.

You can make a much larger collection of "cheap chips" than expensive chips. And every one of them whether it's a 10c old chip or $25 new chip, is just about as much fun. In theory you can get 25 $1 chips, in person, for the same cost as one $25 chip.

Oh yes, buy The Chip Rack or any guide to local casinos, or what you decide to collect, for relative values, so you know what's harder to get and what's common.