My main focus is Aruba, where I collect all sorts of stuff (chips $5 and under, playing cards, players/slot cards, business cards, postcards, matches, etc.). I collect $5 and under chips from the entire Caribbean, although I only get chips from Puerto Rico that I like and chips from Cuba that are cheap. I also collect a $1 chips from any casino where I have been (only chips that were in play at the time), and chips from tournaments I have played in (I buy or trade for them; I have never taken one from a tournament myself). I have a small Vegas World collection (first place I stayed as an adult in Las Vegas). I collect chips from underground card clubs (2000-present) in the New York metro area, $1 chips from Newport Oregon, dealer buttons (the ones they use at poker tables) and chip spacers that have been etched with a design (not many out there).

Here is an example of a dealer button:

Here is an example of an etched chip spacer:

I started with chips from casinos I had been to and added other areas as I became interested. I recommend collecting something you have a connection to or passion for. Then you will be interested in the history, and that's what sucks you in.

Michael Siskin