A reporter friend of mine, who works for the Star Ledger--New Jerseys largest newspaper, needed some help on a story about a $25,000 chip that will be available in Caesars Atlantic City. Jay Sands was kind enough to chat with her. Thanks for your help Jay, and the club got mentioned. Thanks to David Spragg who answered a few questions on plaques and James Bond prop chips. While I am no longer the clubs PR guy I try to get the club ink whenever the opportunity arises.

Biz Buzz: A casino chip Goldfinger would love
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Think of a high-stakes gambler, and James Bond comes to mind as he breaks the baccarat bank, wins stacks of "plaques" and goes off to woo some voluptuous babe.

Cool, yes. But those plaques! Sure, they connote wealth. The high-denomination casino tokens are used only by the highest of high rollers. But they're also big, bulky and old-fashioned. These days, most gamblers don't want to use them.

So, yesterday, at the request of Caesars in Atlantic City, the N.J. Casino Control Commission voted to allow gold-colored $25,000 chips, which can be used in place of the $25,000 plaque. Previously, the highest chip was $20,000. In contrast, a plaque can go as high as $100,000.

Jay Sands, vice president the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collector's Club, said the move was a long time coming. Chips are smaller and easier to carry and stack. And, let's face it, when you're wagering $50,000 a hand at a blackjack table, you don't want to be the dork -- Bond notwithstanding -- betting with plaques or $5,000 chips.

Sands said $25,000 chips have become the token of choice among high-stakes poker players in Las Vegas, who whip them out to buy-in to $100,000 games.

"The currency of Las Vegas is the Bellagio $25,000 chip," Sands said. "I haven't seen plaques used in a long time."