"Oklahoma Johnny" Hale was a poker player, and also promotor of tournaments -- in particular, the "Seniors" tournaments.
As I recall, there were Seniors tournaments played at a number of California cardrooms. Hale promoted them, in conjunction with the local rooms. Perhaps (not sure) the finalists won an entry to the final event at the Reno Hilton.

Some of the cardrooms had sets of commemorative chips -- for instance, see Oceanside Card Club here:

http://www.themogh.org/cg_quickview.php?id=CAOCCC&p=010&x=0&cols=6&x=0#80