I read with interest Pam's question about taking chips from casino's. Here is an interesting story about that:

Last winter I was on vacation in Tampa, FL, and went to the new Hard Rock Casino. All they have there is a poker room. I could not believe my eyes, they had 25 cent and 50 cent chips.

So I walked up to the cage and ask for some of the chips. The nice young lady asked me what I wanted and I told her one hundred 25 and 50 cent chips. Which is a total of $75. I also ask for 5 of each of the other chips (not counting $100 and above).

She asked me what I wanted that many chips for. I told her I was a collector and that I traded chips with other collectors. She then asked me if I had anything to put them in and I said no.

Well, believe this or not, she sold me the chips and gave me the racks to keep them in. The only thing she requested was that if I was stopped not to tell them who I got the chips from and who gave me the racks.

The poker room at the Hard Rock is clear in the back of the casino and in order to get out you must walk all the way through the casino. Here I am wearing shorts and a tee shirt carrying two racks of chips the entire length of the casino. NOT ONE PERSON STOPPED ME. Several obvious manager types looked at me but not one soul said a word.

I headed straight for my car and left. I was afraid to go back in. This goes to show you that if you have brass ba--- and act as if you own the place, it can be done.