I had to go to a meeting in Leicester this morning, whichh is about 170 miles from here and so decided to stay overnight as it was an early meeting and busy roads.

I had to travel from the South East to the East Midlands and so with several casinos in the area (well, within a 40 mile radius anyway) that I hadn't been to before, and news that the Genting casino chain was starting to change the old Stanley chips (have a look on the global chipguide - they used the same design in all locations, but with the location name on them which gave UK collectors a big list to collect) the opportunity was too good to miss.

Starting off in sunny Basildon at 4.30, I headed north hoping to beat some of the rush hour traffic out of London. First stop would be one of the 2 Gentings casinos in Luton which is around half way, and has one casino within a couple of miles of the Motorway. Arrived just after 6pm as the traffic was already a little busy. Very small casino, even by UK standards, and disappointingly only one roulette table and on BJ table open. They did have new chips though - the Gentings Luton chips in the scans, so I had to get some somehow. The BJ was £5 minimum so they wouldn't let me buy £1 chips, so I played £40 on roulette, lost 3 spins in a row with 7 or 8 chips on each, and cashed in £19 which meant I had to be given 4 £1 chips. Made my excuses and left. Noticed on my way out a new 50p Gentings chip in the tip tray of the receptionist which she was happy to let me have for £2 in cash in the tray. Good start, new chips but £21 down!!!

Back on the motorway, and another hour or so to Coventry which has 3 casinos. I found both Gentings casinos, one Mint and one Maxims, but both were using old Stanley chips still so nothing new to pick up. The first casino was as small and quiet as Luton, and I left quickly. The second one wouldn't let me in to start with as they couldn't find me on the computer (even suggesting that my home casino, in Westcliff, didn't even exist!) so at least I have a trader card now! Just as small inside, and 2 roulette in play and no card tables, although they did rush to open the BJ when I sat at the table briefly to check my emails!

Decided to check out the G (Grosvenor) casino at the Ricoh Stadium (home of Coventry City FC) on the edge of town - this was very impressive inside and one of the biggest casinos in the UK that I have been too. Very high roof and bright and in a style of a (albeit small) Vegas style casino and not like the first 3 casinos of the night. Bars, restaurants, even a showbar and poker room. Generic 'G' chips though, although I picked up a £5 just in case and very glad that I did - when I got home and checked, the £1 and £5 were new varieties - the inserts are different, so glad I stopped here, even though I lost another £20 at this one. Also got a new player card which is dark blue rather than the black version I had before.

Next off to Nottingham, home of the Dusk Till Dawn poker club. The main A453 road was closed, so a bit of a diversion, and a call to my hotel in Leicester just to let them know I was still coming in case they cancelled my room, and eventually I found the place in an indistrial site in Nottingham. Definitely the largest poker place I have been to in the UK. They have tourneys, cash games and 2 roulette and BJ tables which were empty until I sat down. Almost the same story again and £20 down but did get a 50p chip from a blackjack hand and some £1 and £5 chips. Thought I needed these all until I got home and realised I already had a £1 but had listed in as Dawn Till Dusk incorrectly (it is Dusk Till Dawn) and so hadn't realised, but I needed the £5. I also already had a £2 which wasn't in use on the tables and so must only be used for poker games. Interestingly, when I went in, I was directed to the lap-tops in the lobby - you have to enter your own details and press 'join' and then the receptionist issues your card!

It was getting late now, so headed back to Leicester - avoided the road works only to find some more, so now after 11pm when I got to Leicester. They have changed chips though, so new £1 and £5 chips, and almost even when I came out. If I wasn't so keen to get my hotel I would have stayed for some of the free Indian Buffet being served as I left - half the people playing were having dinner at their seats!!!

Back to the hotel to count up, have a quick drink and sleep.
Overall I picked up £85 face value which cost me £150 in total (and of course I could of won something, just didn't this time) plus a new players card and one new variety, so very happy overall.

The chips in the first scan are all those that I picked up last night, and I have traders available of the £1 Leicester Genting, one only of the £1 Luton Genting, £1 'G', £1 Dusk Till Dawn and one £5 Dusk Till Dawn (I didn't pick up too many £5 traders other than one each for David as most people don't seem to collect them, but next time I'll try and make the decision for a trip in advance and let people know just in case anyone wants any). The Dusk Till Dawn chips have different front and backs - denomination on one side and logo on the other side. Same with the 'G' chips (I have scanned one side of each). The Gentings chips are all the same both sides. Interestingly, the new Gentings card that I picked up (the bottom one) is the older style without the embedded chip used to track slot play, which just meant these casinos weren't using the new technology on their slot machines and so I assume these are being upgraded slowly casino by casino. The 2 Gentings cards are available for trade for UK cards or any chips that I need. All chips are in good condition, although the DTD £1 chips are all just a little bit grubby but easily cleanable if you prefer clean chips!

The £5 DTD chips are red - my scanner just doesn't like the colours so much!

The second scan is of 2 lots of chips I managed to win on Ebay recently. The top row are the 5 I wanted for my own collection, but the rest of the second scan are all available for trade. The Gutshot Club was the first poker club as opposed to a casino that had poker tournaments. The Gala 20p chips are only used on craps tables and not many UK casinos have craps and even when they do they are only usually open at busy times, so not always easy to find these.

I have a full trade list is anyone wants to see, but in short I collect UK chips (but those I need are getting to be a smaller list!), $5 Vegas House chips, all Paris LV $5 and $8 chips, International CICs (one per country - with a list of those I need) and some small town Nevada (one per location), so lots of opportunities for trades.

Enjoy