I know of another player/collector with the same story. Well, heck, Raulin Mendonca has the "discovery credit" on ChipGuide so it's no secret. He said he played for awhile at the Marina (whether poker or blackjack) and finally asked for a $4 chip. Pretty much the same story, but he got out with one. The Marina was run by a lady, let's call her Mrs. Marina, some years back - she would not let ANY chip out the door with a "collector"! I think her son now runs the casino, he's a bit better as to sales, at least of $1 and $5 chips. He even sold me a $20 once, but really looked at me strangely. I remember the night I was trying to get a new $1 chip, that would be the CG 048192 (my "discovery credit" on that one) - they were mixed in with the older, worn-out chips. Think I asked for ten and only a couple were of the new variety. What to do with the junky ones? I wandered out and waited a few minutes and returned to cash them in. He looked at me and said, "Don't want the old ones? They're still good for play!" but took them back.

My campsite in San Benito is sorta, kinda near the Marina, so I wander down there from time to time to see if any new chips are put into play. The cardroom now styles itself as "Casino Monterey" but to my knowledge, no chips bearing that name have been made.

Perhaps some day, they will be willing to sell me a $4 but I cannot use the "I'll put it in ChipGuide and advertise your casino to the world for free" story. They're on to that one!