I think we as collectors are seeing these types of auctions from a different viewpoint. The people buying these chips for huge prices are not buying them for their collectability. The people buying them (and selling them for that matter) are not chippers, but poker players. They are trying to put together a playable set for their home game. Everyone wants to play poker like the guys on TV. The chips in these auctions are high quality chips like those guys on TV use. I think the sellers could care less what we (as collectors) deem "rare". From the sheer volume of the chips up for auction (not to mention the picture shows about 20 of the chips) the buyer must know that the chips are not "rare" as we define it, but perhaps more scarce than the lower denomination chips from the same set. Sellers try to sell their goods for as much as they can, thus the terminology they use. Rare is a realitive term and is also dependant upon one's point of view. The seller's are not bound by the same code of ethics and rules that we are as club members.

I think it is time for the hobby to realize that with the poker boom, and the part that chips play in the game of poker, our terminology will not apply to all things that deal with chips. I also do not think that we need to "protect the public" against such auctions as these auctions are only remotely related to our intrests. Meaning this is a poker auction, not a collectable chip auction.

I hesitate in posting this because it may be misunderstood. But not all people view chips from a collectors viewpoint. I am jealous of the winners of these auctions because I would love to have a home set similar to them. I feel we as chip collectors need to broden our horizons and realize the people involved in this auction are neither crazy or ill informed. They are just not chippers, they are poker players (so I guess that makes them a little crazy).

Tom Hanson
R-6618