Hello all, first of all I just want to introduce my self to you guys. My name is Nathan, and I am indeed the seller of the chips in question on eBay. Long story short, Ricky Pushkin has been my go-between with you guys here on the chip-board. Ricky has been great. He took my story on how I received the chips, and through many correspondences between me, other people on this board, and also other contacts, the conclusion has been made that these chips were indeed produced for NBC/Universal... they are not fake. I have tried to be as forthcoming as possible, providing all the documemnts I have; including my receipt of purchase for the chips, and numerous printouts proving that the sale did indeed take place when and where I said it did and that I was there. All of my info and stories match up, I'm just a picker trying to find neat things to learn about and sell. I would like to thank you guys here for not writing me off, but rather letting me prove my story....It has paid off, Thanks!

The question still remains: What was the purpose of the chips, and why do they differ from the ones everyone has grown accustomed to seeing on the show? The answer is nobody really knows as there are many possibilities. I am leaning to the idea that they are more likely used as a set decoration, rather than props. I agree that a prop must be used by the actors in some way. Without seing these handled on screen by an actor I cannot prove this. You also cannot discount the idea that they were not just merely set decorations in the backgrounds...The reason why I am leaning to this direction is cause of some proof of sorts that I have found. I have found a record online of a supposed SAG (screen actors guild) in his words, taking them from a set and selling them on eBay in 2007

Here are the links:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/montecito-casino-chip-las-vegas-tv-show
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/montecito-casino-chip-las-vegas-tv-show-1
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/montecito-casino-chip-las-vegas-tv-show-2

This supports my case that there is a good chance they were indeed on the set.

Thanks for your time, I hope to learn plenty from you all. Since discovering these chips, I have been totally amused and excited about the entire poker chip collecting hobby. It has been really fun. Nathan