REGGIE

A GUEST AUTHOR’s HARVEST STORY

BAY 101 SAN JOSE, CA

J Eric Freedner

When I learned of the new $1 Bay 101 design from Raulin, I just had to get some chips for myself at the casino, so . . . on my next periodic visit, a few weeks ago, I bought a rack of $1 chips - and pulled out a small stack of the newly-designed chips. Returning to the Cage to cash in the older $1 chips, I passed a $2 poker table where a player seemed to be doing really well. He had a whole pyramid of green $2 chips in front of him, must have been several hundred. And suddenly, an inspiration! If they had new 1's, why not new 2's?? At the Cage window, I spotted what seemed to be a newly-designed $2 chip atop a small stack, so I asked the cashier if I could buy "the new $2 chip." And wouldn't you know, she replied: "What new chip? We don't have any!" I persisted, and she threw the $2 chips on the counter and I pointed to the one I wanted. She apparently still didn't realize it was anything new, but laughed and sold it to me, most likely thinking, "Silly fellow, making a fuss over one of our green chips."

Went back to the other cage window (fortunately Bay 101 has two cashier areas) with the proceeds from re-selling the $1 chips and bought half-a-rack of green 2's, and went to the back of the casino where I could quietly sort through them. Figured the guards would give me the evil eye, but nobody seemed to notice as I pulled out about 5 more of the newly-designed chips.

Back to the other counter, turned in the older 2's and got a very small stack of 5's, and yes - my hunch turned out correct again as I found two newly-designed fives there also. All in all, a happy chipping experience when I can "think out" the situation and then find the chips to prove my theory is right. Einstein should have been so lucky with relativity!

Glad I made your day, Cousin,

J. Eric

PS: Raulin may have more redesigned Bay 101's at this point - he was planning to return to the casino after I told him of my discovery. If not, I will probably return in October, with some big bills, and try buying a rack of 5's and some more 2's, such that I should have enough of the newly-designed chips to supply most everyone interested. The chips won't be "rare" but anyone collecting "California" will doubtless want one, or a set.