I am writing an article for the next version of the A BUYER’S GUIDE TO CASINO COLLECTIBLES for the CCGTCC. These are some of the definitions I wrote for the article.

The generic term I use for all chips, regardless of manufacture or use, is "poker chip". There are many categories of poker chips, these are the ones they are pertinent to a discussion of fantasy chips.

Casino Chip - is a poker chip that was used or was intended to be used in a casino. Only the casino itself can have casino chips made. Regular casino chips come in two varieties, those with a specific value, called "cheques", and those with a value assigned at the time of play, usually for roulette, called "chips." In practice, "cheques" are usually referred to as "chips", but technically this is not correct. There are many sub-categories of casino chips for special use in the casino that are different than regular casino chips.

Non-Casino Chip - the opposite of a casino chip. Any poker chip that was not made for use in a casino.

Fantasy Chip - a non-casino chip that has the appearance of being a casino chip. Fantasy chips are usually made for use in home poker games or as souvenirs. There is some element of the fantasy chip, either the casino name, location, mold or the design, that allow the fantasy chip to appear to be a casino chip. Given enough time and resource, collectors can usually determine that a fantasy chip is not a casino chip.

Counterfeit Casino Chip - is a poker chip that is made to resemble an actual casino chip in order to defraud the casino or a collector. Fantasy chips are not counterfeits because they do not resemble any actual casino chips. The ability to determine that a casino chip is a counterfeit usually requires advanced knowledge about casino chip use and manufacture.