As if I didnt have my hands in enough fires at the moment (Treasurer, Personal chip Project, Personal Chip Auction, Collecting BOD comments) I am going to take take on yet another.......

My Mother would say I am glutten for punishment and my grandmother would use a great yiddish word that she used once in a while....... she would call me a shmuck........

However I still have an hour of two that I probably should use for sleeping or eating, but what the heck.

From today forward I would like to offer something new..... The "Newby, Tip of the day"

This will be an attempt to inform, educate, and possiblly even help those new to the hobby with some pitfalls that they might experience. I have about 20 or so in mind already but I am sure I will come up with a lot of others.

If those more experienced collectors would like to see me discuss something, please email me rather than post on the board and I promise I will work it in as soon as I can.

So Here Goes.........

Newby Tip of the Day #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Make a visit to the club website

The CC & GTCC Website @ www.ccgtcc.com is an invaluable tool for both members and non members alike. For those who havent been there before you can experience one of the most comprehensive archives of manufacturers records available anywhere. You can use this to ID many chips that were previously listed as unknown.

Also please check out the clubs Fakes, Fantasy and Counterfeit page. It is an invaluable tool for determining what chips are real and which are fakes.

How about the articles like Cleaning your chips, Chipology 101, Robert E's Rim Mold project, Buyers guide to casino collectables, Ask the expert program.

Lets not forget access to the Club Library where hundreds of great referance books can be checked out to members for free !!!!!!!!!

Email and mailing addresses for BOD members and chairpeople.

The Club Message Board.

Links to local clubs.

And Much Much more.

In my opinion, if you havent been to the club site and you collect chips your missing out. Whether your a current member or not, this is a LOT of great information !!!!!!!!!

And best of all, ITS ALL FREE information to use.

Please look for my future tips of the day and remember if you have any tips of your own, please email me and I will make sure to discuss them.

Thanks and happy chipping to all.

Doug "Cigarman" Smith
Proud Member of the CC & GTCC LM-3209-147