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A Guest Harvest Adv. Story REGGIE
Having been "tipped off" by another collector (Jim Colbert) that Barona Casino had put new lower-denomination chips on its tables (and had begun using the Year of the Dog $8 chips), I drove down there to see for myself, and of course, to buy a few of each denomination. Yes, new chips were in play. I stopped at a blackjack table to buy some 1's and 5's, which the dealer happily sold. In looking at the 5's, I spotted one very different looking - a dark purple inlay and "Welcome Home 2018 Expansion" on it. (Jim hadn't mentioned this, and it turned out he didn't know about it.) The Pit Boss, who had come over the supervise the transaction, said that this was also a new chip released for the opening of the new hotel wing, and that if I wanted to buy more, they were circulating at various tables.
Off to the "Dragon Alley" tables which is the Asian gaming section. Found another dealer who had a few Year of the Dog chips in his rack, threw down a $100 bill and asked to buy them, along with any $5 "Welcome Home" chips he might have. The man rose to the occasion, but took a few moments to compute 8's and 5's out of $100. He started by tossing out two $25 chips and began looking through his rack. While this was going on, I became aware of a bit of confusion and noise behind me. Turned around and was handed a Lucky Red Envelope by the lady leading the Puppy Patrol, or whatever the special Asian good luck troupe was called. Inside was a free $8 Year of the Dog chip! These are usually given out only to seated players, but the Puppy Patrol figured I qualified. (Another lady at the table also got an envelope.)
I said, "Thank you, Dog Lady!" At which the other Patrol members, shaking tambourines and drumsticks, all broke out in laughter.
In retrieving my other $8 and $5 chips, and the $25's, I noted that the $25 chips were also different from last year's in color and design. I left with pockets filled with nice new chips, but not before I tried my Dog Luck at a slot game. Won a $120 jackpot. Yep, the Red Envelope indeed contained a Lucky Dog Chip.
J. Eric Freedner
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