In Puerto Rico, it goes both way, depending per casino, but most of the time you have to buy at the table. There have been times when I was looking for a specific chip that was not available at the table, they looked through the cage supply, and then made a request for a "re-stock" for the table so the chip can leave the cage and be used at the table, at this time is when I can buy it. Is a little time consuming, but it works.