In most casinos, if you need a Roulette or a NCV Poker Tourney chip, you need to sneak it into your pocket. If someone in authority saw you do it, there is a good chance you will be challenged. A collector knowing he needs to sneak the chip out of the casino implies that he/she knows they are doing what they shouldn't. Also, in many places where the harvesters of the club are plying their trade, they are doing so because they have already asked for the chips they want, and were turned down, or they are afraid to ask because they suspect they will be turned down.

No one will ever stop you from putting a house issue chip into your pocket. You may or may not be stopped walking out with a rack of 1"s in plain view, but ask if it OK to take home a house chip or two----I am guessing only a small handful of places would say no. I have not come across one yet though.

My real issue, though, is not with the "harvesters". It is not for me, so I don't do it. And the casino won't go under because you swiped a NCV chip.

My issue is with the club. We tout the importance of reputation and ethics, yet we treat "harvesting" with a wink and a nod. Now, we scream bloody murder because someone harvested from our convention host. Why is one absolutely wrong, and the other OK? Because we have our convention there? Because it can hurt our status with our host?

We should hold everyone to the same standard. If it is wrong to do to the South Point, then IT IS WRONG TO DO PERIOD.