Although I can't really explain why, I have had a particular affinity for the Desert Inn from my first days of collecting. The 16th issue of the Desert Inn Baccarat chips is the only casino issue (besides the 16th Dunes 'golf course' issue) from which I own one of every denomination produced.

I remember when I met the woman who was to become my wife in 2005, things went so well on our first date that when we came back to my house for hot chocolate (we had gone snowshoeing) I decided to introduce her to one of my many quirks-- the poker room and chip collection. Although she clearly wasn't as impressed to my shrine of bachelordom as I thought she should be, she at least agreed to see me again, so I counted it as a success.

During the few months we dated (yeah, we move quickly here in Utah, especially when culturally you're as 'ancient' as I was at 31-- most people at church had written me off as a bad asset already), I slowly introduced her to more of my quirks (for example, I waited clear until the second date before I revealed that I can recite Pi to 314 decimal places ), and still she remained: a testament to what a truly remarkable woman she is. During this time she also came also to know one of the Holy Grails of my chip collection-- the 16th issue Desert Inn $20. I'm not sure she understood why it was so important (other than it was the last one of the issue I was missing), but she did know that the one space I left open in my display case, as a constant reminder of what I had yet to obtain.

Anyway, as the wedding date approached, I wondered what my post-marriage chip collecting pursuits would entail; I was, after all, embarking on a life of responsibility and more pressing financial concerns. I knew that she wryly accepted my little manias here and there, but it certainly wouldn't be as easy to spend more than $300 on a chip as when it was just me with a say over the budget. However, almost as if my Providence, about 2 weeks before the wedding this chip came up on eBay-- the only one I've yet seen offered for sale (although I'm sure there are several boxes sitting in a warehouse somewhere yet to be discovered ). Throwing caution to the wind, I figured that even though I should be worrying about other expenses, this chip was destined to me mine.

It arrived a couple of days before the wedding, and I broke the news of my superfluous and extravagant purchase to my wife on the Honeymoon. I think because we happened to be hiking through the rain forest in Belize at the time, she was actually happy for me-- yet another testament to what a lucky guy I am.

Brent J. Jensen
orbis non sufficit