Gene; You have worked at several different Las Vegas properties. How many incidents are you aware of where the casino has prosecuted a chip collector for taking roulette chips? How many incidents are you aware of where a player out to deliberately defraud the casino has re-introduced roulette chips into a game at a higher value than his/her buy-in? I'm not an insider privy to such information, but I've not heard of any such incidents in Atlantic City. If it has happened, it's got to be a very rare occurance.

Yes, people have been stopped by security or pit bosses and have been told to either play 'em or color them in at the table ... and I'm also aware of incidents where harvesters have outright said that they have taken no roulette chips (when they did) and were let go.

I'm also aware of pit bosses who have asked me on occassion ... "what colors will you be looking for tonight Mr. Black". On one occassion, a Harrah's pit boss told me ... "what I don't see I don't care about ... but if I observe someone pocketing roulettes... or if one of my dealers reports to me that some roulettes have walked and can identify the player, I'm obligated to do my job. All I ask is that you be discreet and don't embarrass me or the property."

At still another property in Las Vegas a few years ago, I was permitted to outright purchase a set of roulettes, one of each color from each table at a buck each. Ditto at Eddie's Fabulous 50's in Reno.

Admittedly, these are rare exceptions. I know the rules. I also know that the 65 MPH speed limit on the Garden State Parkway is seldom observed... as are "No Spitting On The Sidewalk" signs.

Geez; I could write a book. You can't make up some of this sh*t!