Hello Chippers; Here is a short story from yours truly or a guest author of our experiences while harvesting somewhere in the gaming world. A few are from countries out side the USA. Most are entertaining and most are instructive as to what to do or what not to do while harvesting chips from casinos or card rooms. Reggie

A GUEST AUTHOR’s HARVEST STORY

JAMUL CASINO

By:JAMES ERIC FREEDNER

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