In all the years I've harvested chips, I've never played a card game in a casino! That changed tonight, and here's the story:

An Indian casino (we won't name) offered a couple of $5 No-Cash-Value chips so I went down there and got a voucher for them in the usual manner. But, when I went to the Pit Boss to redeem the voucher as I have done on past occasions, he took the voucher and said I must be seated at a table, playing, before he would give me the chips. Maybe he recognized me from past visits. Or was just a grouchy Pit Boss. Trapped. I sat at the only Blackjack game in his area. I then realized it had a $15 minimum, rather than a $5. Threw down a $20 and got four regular $5 chips. Pit Boss came over with the 2 NCV ones, dealer at first handed them to the player next to me, then realized his error and gave them to me. I put them in my pocket, and bet with 3 of the house chips. Dealer scowled and tossed me two cards. Two Kings. He tried to beat me, got only piddling cards and came up with 18. I heard him hiss, "Damn!" and he was obliged to pay me $15. Dealer asked why I didn't bet with the two NCV chips, I said I figured they were "lucky chips." I took my $35 in chips off the table, said "See ya," and left. Dealer was still muttering under his breath and the Pit Boss was shooting daggers at me with his eyes.

General Custer is looking down approvingly.