This may not be a big deal to you old timers and high end collectors but I have been collecting casino chips for a little under 2 years now.

It all started New Years Day 2004 when we decided to visit a local Chicagoland casino after a night of parties. I got talking to the dealer at a roulette table and she was telling me that her husband collects casino chips (maybe a member, not sure) and that the casino was going to change the house rack soon. She told me to pocket a few of the old chips, they might go up in value, so I took 2 home. When I got home I was curious and started to investigate this hobby and checked out e-bay and found lots of chips for sale, hummmm there might be something to this hobby. Then I made the big mistake, I found The Chip Board website and promptly joined The Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club, I am proud member #R-6696. Well the rest is history.

* A trip to Iowa to visit relatives and a few Riverboats
* A trip to Minnesota to visit relatives and a few Indian Casinos.
* A trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives and more Indian Casinos.
* A vacation driving around Lake Michigan and more Indian casinos.
* A vacation to Las Vegas
* A birthday trip to Biloxi (sure glad we made this trip).
* Another birthday trip to Reno
* Several E-Bay purchases and sales.
* Several purchases from club members.
* And hundred and hundreds of trades. I have to admit, I have even traded with the famous Vic, but always on my terms, but that is another story (don't hate me).
* I even won a few contests on The Chip Board.

When I started I was overwhelmed by the number of different chips available, so I told myself I would only collect $1 chips. I also set a rule the first year that I would only pay $3 for a current chip and $5 for a obsolete chip until I know more. I only broke this rule once when I got carried away on an e-bay auction. I also made a point of buying several of the price guides.

Here is a break down of my collection:
My passion is Riverboat, Indian and Reno chips.
413 Indian Casino Chips
175 Riverboat Chips
149 Las Vegas Chips (not actively pursuing)
79 Reno Chips
64 Other Nevada Town Chips
51 Atlantic City Chips
26 Race Track & Card Room Chips (lots of room to grow here)
17 North Las Vegas Chips
17 Cruise and Day Cruise Chips
13 International Chips (mostly Caribbean chips from a vacation)
1 Colorado Chip (Lots of room to grow here)

As you can see there are many areas of collecting $1 chips that I have only scratched the surface and there are many more trades, trips and purchases that lie ahead.

HERE IS THE BEST PART: The average cost of all these chips (excluding gas, hotels, food, etc.) is only $2.36 per chip. Thanks for humoring me and listening to my story.