Nothing horrible, just stopped at the door (more like surrounded) and asked if I had any chips in my pocket. I said yes, "is there a problem?" and they said, return them to the table. Took them back. The pit boss was giving me the harry eyeball and I said "I'm a chip collector" He said you can buy a $500 chip if you want one. End of story.

However taking that package of salad dressing at Ho Chunk buffet, was a bigger stir, because the female guard came up and said she would have me strip searched if I didn't "return whatever I saw you put in your pocket"

I still have the people I was with, bring it up now and then. Talk about a marked man. Yup caught taking a packet of salad dressing. I hope it's not on my perminant record at the casino.

I usually lose the last spin, and while they are sorting chips, spinning the wheel and all that gambling related stuff, I walk away.

The main problem with the time I was stopped was, a quiet table, without any other players. Simple guideline, pick up chips at a bust table and they probably won't have the time to notice or care.

Since I'm a petty theif and only take 2 or 3 chips, it's easier to notice. I think the folks who take a whole stack, have the right idea.

Then there's the other option, ask if you can buy them. Surprise, some casinos will sell you one of each color and don't care.