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 If
you are a regular brick and mortar poker player, chances are you have accumulated some poker
chips from various casinos over the years. You may have wondered to yourself if some of your
old chips are valuable to a collector. Or you may have even decided to become a collector
yourself. You’ll be pleased to hear that, like poker itself, casino poker chip collecting has
become increasingly popular over the years. This article will answer some fundamental
questions on chip collecting and then point you to additional resources that will allow you to
receive more detailed information.
What poker chips should I collect?
Bear in mind that the most valuable chips are not necessarily the most rare or the oldest.
Chip collectors are looking for items with cachet. The chips you own should tell a story. The
story could be your own (such as a collection of chips from all the places you’ve played and
visited). This type of collection may not increase in monetary value, but could become a treasured family heirloom.
The story could also be some one else’s (for example – a collection of chips from old Las
Vegas Hotels or chips from illegal, underground games frequented by famous gamblers). These
chips will increase in value as the number of people who relate to or are interested in the
story increases.
There is also an aesthetic component to chip collecting. Look for chips with more intricate
designs and patterns. Make sure there is information on your chips (such as casino name,
casino logo, denomination, etc). These types of chips are almost always more valuable then
plainer chips. Unless you are buying something especially rare, the chips you collect should
also be in good condition. Cracked, warped and dirty chips will detract from your collection.
The final thing to consider is that more expensive chips are often more likely to retain their
value and are easier to resell. As a result, it is better to invest in a small number of
expensive chips then a large number of inexpensive chips.
Where can I get them?
The easiest way to get chips is to buy them directly from the casino. The casino
cage often
stocks a variety of different chips beyond what is being sold on the casino floor. Visit the
casino cage when they are not busy. Ask nicely and make it known that you are willing to
tip
for their services. You will be surprised at how far they will be willing to go to help you.
If you are looking for rarer chips, you can first look to the online auction houses and
dealers, such as eBay. However, the best way to find exactly what you are looking for is to
network with other poker chip collectors through an online
forum or at a trade show.
How do I know if I paying a fair price or if what I am buying is genuine?
It is important to invest in a buying guide. The Official U.S. Casino Chip Price Guide by James
Campiglia and Steve Wells contains full color pictures and a price guide of over 15,000 casino
chips. The previously mentioned Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club has a section of
fakes on its website, with pictures and examples of what to look for when looking for genuine
chips.
Where do I find detailed information on chip collecting?
The following resources will provide you with the more detailed information you will need to
get started identifying, procuring and caring for you chip collections. And who knows, you may
find yourself the proud owner of a chip like the $5.00 Hacienda Casino Chip, which sold on
Ebay for $15,000.
The Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club holds an annual
convention is Las Vegas. Chequers is a forum for chip collectors. |
