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A Harvest Adventure Story REGGIE
In this case, I knew from fellow collector Jim Colbert that the new casino chips were on the tables, so that part was a no-brainer. All I had to do was drive down there and figure out how to get a decent quantity. A spare Memorial Day holiday, a tank full of gas . . . and I was on my way.
When I got to the newly-converted Jamul Casino (formerly Hollywood Casino San Diego), I stopped at a blackjack table and bought a few pink snappers. Easy. But for the dollar and five dollar chips . . . the craps table looked easier. I wander over, and was about to throw down $120, when the Pit Boss (or Gaming Manager) slid a small sign toward me: "Table Closed This Side." Huh?? How can half a craps table be closed? Aren't there proposition bets that would be cut out of the game?
I move to the busy side of the table and put down my money, and get a stack of $5 chips. Ask the dealer for some $1 chips instead of four extra fives. Okay, he hands them over. I start putting the chips into my pockets. So far, so good . . .
The Gaming Manager suddenly sprints around the table and comes up to me and says: "Excuse me, sir, I saw you putting those chips into your pockets. You're not allowed to do that."
Uh-oh . . . busted! Now what??? Had to think quick . . .
"Sorry," I replied, "I didn't know. Ummm, would you like them back?"
He glared at me, knowing as I did that he lacked the ability to refund my $120. Finally he muttered, "It's OK this time. Don't come back and do that again. You can buy chips at Guest Services."
This made no sense, but I ambled over to Guest Service (a/k/a The Cage and Player's Club rolled into one). I asked for a few chips. Sure enough, the cashier took my money and handed them over. That almost never works in a California Indian casino.
Anyhow, this casino run ended with me walking out with my trousers sagging with enough chips. Oh, to get to the elevator, I had to walk past the Gaming Manager again. But this time he paid me no attention, seemingly engrossed in running his Half Craps Game.
J. Eric Freedner
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