First I want to thank Danny for starting the thread on Hoards. It brings to light not just that but other issues that I would like to comment on.

Krish sent me those pics before he even posted them here. I have no reason to believe he would fake them. I had multiple people send me close up photos of the inlays and say how they did not look right.
I will grant you they are not the best photos and there are definitely some that look off...but really no one can determine one way or the other without further evidence. The things that make me believe him more than outweigh those that do not.

1.) The rumored family that contested the sale and sent it to probate. It's a well known family with deep gambling ties.

2.) Krish is a multi millionaire who in all my dealings has been very honest and forthcoming when to be honest he did not have to be. He has nothing to prove and could care less about limeight.

3.) The overwhelming number of NEW T.R.King chips that are from OLD CASINOS is undeniable. The possibility of these chips being in quantity is VERY REAL. If you buy ANY old or vintage chip in NEW condition you should always do so with a measure of incredulity and do your research. caveat emptor.

My whole resistance to HOARD ALERTS is that it seemed to me an extremely slippery slope. The very first attempt into doing this since the Bank Felix chips was a mis-step. CG listed the Hotel Nevada $25 as a HOARD when there has never been more than a handful seen together by anyone as far as I know? Is Chipguide really going to take on the responsibility of verifying these from random submitters? And how COULD you verify them without knocking on the door of the seller and asking if you can come in with your camera and notebook and list what you see. Without doing that how do you know the true number of the hoard? If a rack sells on Ebay how do you know there are not 12 more racks waiting in the wings? How do you know the rack that sold is even real? And maybe a party lists a hoard just to lower the price of chips they want? It's just an obvious fools errand that would detract resources from CG to do other things more pressing.

My friend texted me this morning and said something that was pretty eye opening to me. He said he has "never checked The Chipboard more in one day in my life" There is obvious new blood coming into the hobby and with that comes differing views and opinions...as well as increased engagement. Questioning things that seem wrong or unjust is what ultimately makes things better. I've seen a few issues lately that have come to light and after further inspection were remedied. That's progress.

I hope others never get "scared" to voice their opinion...even if it flies in the face of perceived authority figures. We are all just a bunch of chip nerds dealing with entities that ask us for our time, content and money....yet sometimes want to act with impunity. We have every right to question and be critical if need be. Respect is earned on both sides. Nothing kills good will faster than being dismissive of criticism.

And for the record, I love the idea of Chipguide and The Club. If I am critical it's because I see what it is now and what it could be. I DO want to see both succeed.
I will not volunteer as i know this is the next question, but believe me that I am working on other chip things just as informative and more than that fun.

See you in June

E "The Trouble Maker"
R-8784
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