CHIP TIPS FOR CHIP COLLECTORS

HARVESTING TECHNIQUES

I have over the years heard of and admired many posters on the “Chipboard” relating their experiences in casinos and various card rooms. I have actually utilized many of the techniques described. I am going to try to put together as many of these harvesting techniques as I can think of. Hopefully, this will help some of you in your travels in the future. If you have a method that you have used and it is tried and true; but, not listed here; please by all means send it to me and I will add it to this collection.
• The cashier is always the first and best bet. Specifically the Poker Room Cashier. When there is no poker room the main cage in the casino is the best, always ask for the supervisor in the cage, sometimes they can and will do special requests. Don’t forget to feed the tip jar, by implying a tip is very possible; sometimes the cashiers will even help you go through the racks.
• The pit.
• Shift Changes times at the casino is a smart move for maximizing your haul. If they are stingy on one shift, does not necessarily mean that the next shift will be that way, too.
1. Ask the dealer, try to find a table not working. Example: Can I buy 8 of those pretty pink ($2.50’s) chips? Always have the correct bill(s) ready to give the dealer, tipping is good, but not necessary.
2. Go to a friendly pit boss. And ask him if you can buy some chips without actually playing.
3. Last ditch effort if this does not work, sit down and play.
• Roulette wheels are often a good target for one’s, five’s and $25’s.Many times they are just standing around. Roulette $1 chips: Sorry folks you are on your own…
• When encountering maximum purchases of new issues, it may take some ingenuity on your part. The utilization of a partner (wife), another couple that you are out with, etc. Example: A two chip maximum, 4 people = 8 chips, going to different tables (pits), roulette wheels, big wheel etc. you usually can end up getting what you want.
• Often times in Indian Casinos, the spectrum swings wide. By that I mean you may not even be allowed to leave with chips, and/or you may be able to go to the casino manager and explain your circumstance, show him your CCA card; this usually will impress them. Many times they will take you up to the cashier and tell them to give you whatever you want. Another point to stress is that their chips are their business cards and you can and will make them known worldwide, through your club. (CCA)
• Many casinos and card rooms are not interested in your quest of chip collecting. Therefore, when buying chips you will need to buy a rack or a large amount of chips; either at the cage or table and then go through them yourself for the keepers.
• In remote locations, when (poker) tables are not open on a selected day (example Monday) and you are passing through and are only there for that day; try and find the cocktail waitress or bartender that worked the night before. Many times they have chips in their “tip jar”. This also works if you are too early in the day and cannot wait until the tables open.
• Techniques while playing “their games” of harvesting include the following:
1) Palming chips discretely and slipping them in your pockets (Cargo Pants Recommended)
2) Grabbing a few chips leaving the table for a minute for the call of nature, get a sandwich etc.
3) Handing off some chips to your partner (better half) for playing the slots…wink, wink.
4) Asking the dealer to break down some higher denominations so that you can tip them…wink wink.
• If I was to gauge in difficulty or ease of acquiring chips this the order I would assign them, easiest first:
1) Card Rooms (Example states: California, Florida & New Hampshire)
2) Riverboats (Example states: Mississippi, Louisiana & Iowa)
3) Indian Casinos (Example states: New Mexico, Oregon & Connecticut)
4) Nevada Casinos
5) Charity Casinos (Example states: North Dakota & Michigan)
• Card Room Harvesting: Cashier>Buy a rack> Pick out what you want>Easy Harvest
• Riverboat Harvesting: Cashier>Buy a rack, if possible>Pick out what you want>Easy Harvest or Sit down and buy an excessive amount of chips to play with>Pick out what you want>Suddenly have to leave or have someone call you away from the table, cash in the unwanted chips>relatively easy Harvest.
• Indian Casino Harvesting: Cashier in the Poker Room>Pick out what you want>Fairly easy Harvest. Or buy chips at one of their tables and change the color as needed>Once you have what you need then find a reason to leave>Not so easy, but usually a successful Harvest.
• Nevada Casino Harvest: (A Crap Shoot) Use all the above techniques as needed.
• Charity Casinos: Please send me information on these, I have never had the opportunity to harvest any of their casinos or card rooms.
• In general, in New Hampshire, they are reluctant to let them out, especially the smaller denominations. I gather they buy just about what they figure they need and no extras. Some have made the point to me relative to fractionals that the chips cost more than face to manufacture and I (and others) have had to really grovel to get one or two. I even offered to pay manufacturing cost plus but the additional problem they said was that they really didn't have many extras.
• A long list of “reasons” you are buying the chips; if needed:
1) I am buying as souvenirs for my (grand)children.
2) I trade them with my friends & relatives.
3) I am trying to get a chip from every casino in this state
4) I am trying to get a chip from every state & country.
5)
• Please email me for more info on any of these techniques, and I will try to answer all questions. Reggie
Contributors to this page:
Pam G.
Ron S.
Carl S.