I live exactly between Sacramento and San Francisco. (45 miles each way) I usually hit 3-4 antique shows a month. On my travels I stop by a few antique shops, coin shops, or thrift (junk) shops. I have been to many of these places numerous times, so if they find something, they will sometimes hold onto it for me until the next time they see me. At the local monthly Antique Faire(s) it's the same story. These faires start at about 6am...and I sometimes don't even get there until after 9am. I see other chippers out there and they always ask me how I found something they missed. It's because I ask....Everyone! Do you have any casino items? chips? dice? Some people don't take the time to put out some of their small items or even forget they have them until they are reminded when asked. Others tell me that they have some at home and they will bring them out next time. Most of the time you ask someone if the have any casino chips and they point to a box of plastic chips. I politely open the box(making sure there are no gems inside) and then ask if they have any other chips with names, initials, or towns on them. And then I explain that I am looking for chips that have some sort of identifying marks on them. That I like to do research and find out where they are from.(or just ask everyone on the board for ID help.) Most of all....be nice to people. You never know who your next lead is going to be.