Harvesting Chips for Forum Members Discussion (29 Viewers)

[Zedlavo]

Duh, throw em in a FRB and ship em to yourself. You can even just use clothes as packing materials. I actually did this, (with some trinkets, not with chips), and had the front desk print my shipping label. Then left the box with them. It showed up at my house the day after I got home.

F%*king smart..

 

[bentax1978]

Brilliant idea. If I was positive I was going to do this, I could pre-print a label from home (actually cheaper to order it online).

Even if you weren't sure, you could always print it out and then cancel the label if you don't end up using it. That said, if I recall correctly, the cost savings to print MFRB postage online is only about a buck less. If you're spending multiple days in Vegas, an extra dollar should be almost meaningless

 

[slisk250]

harvested for @Trihonda last year for his binions, packing them up in my checked luggage suckedddddd. they opened up my luggage and emptied the racks in my bag. they probably thought it was a jackpot of like $5s or $25s, but when they found out they were dirty $1s, they just dumped them back in my bag. I put them in seran wrap, in individual freezer bags, rolled in a towel.

The TSA WILL open your checked bags when they see barrels and racks of chips in a scanner. They could care less what denoms, they are looking for bombs. I've seen my carry ons scanned every time I'm searched and that is every flight I've had with chips. We do not even mention the word of what they think they look like but it looks like sticks of dynamite because of the density. It's always better to carry them on or ship as Jack suggested. The only time I had checked chips left alone was when they were in racks with plastic wrap around them so they could see what they were. Then I wrapped them in a towel without tape as you did. I put a note for the TSA asking for kindness as they were a gift from grandpa or something like that. I was a bit lucky and no damaged chips.

 

[slisk250]

What patterns would you be interested in?

2V Binions are high on the hit list, Plazas, Paris, etc.

The 2Vs just scream Terrible's .25 label. The only thing better than those would be those beautiful baby blue Terrible's Roulettes that still glow in the blue lights and smoke at Le Casino de Don Clay

 

[David O]

You and me both I'll be in Vegas for 4 days in March, was trying to figure out what might be worth harvesting.

Let me know. I can scout. I'll be there in February.

 

[RowdyRawhide]

2V Binions are high on the hit list, Plazas, Paris, etc.

The 2Vs just scream Terrible's .25 label. The only thing better than those would be those beautiful baby blue Terrible's Roulettes that still glow in the blue lights and smoke at Le Casino de Don Clay

Great minds think alike

 

[manamongkids]

Binions $1s are interesting to harvest. 1. they wont sell you racks of $1s at the cashier, as they are only in play at the poker tables. (when I went there wasnt a single table game running, blackjack, 3cardpoker, etc)

2. Binions is often VERY dead, which makes you likely one of only about 20-25 people in the casino. Making people watch your every move.

3. My method for harvesting $1s at Binions was to walk up to poker section, ask the manager who seats people for whatever amount of $1s. Tell him you are going to grab something to eat (insert excuse here) then just walk out with your chips. (this is the method I used, however once I left the casino I realized that the casino has both RHC and SCV styles in play)

just something to think about

 

[Trihonda]

Even if you weren't sure, you could always print it out and then cancel the label if you don't end up using it. That said, if I recall correctly, the cost savings to print MFRB postage online is only about a buck less. If you're spending multiple days in Vegas, an extra dollar should be almost meaningless

Saving a buck or two is not the real issue. Convenience of not having to find a computer to purchase or print a label is more appealing. I know hotels have business centers, and I'm sure people have used them with success, but I've never found it easy or convenient to print off a mere boarding pass, much less a shipping label, lol.

Much simpler to print one off in advance. And I wasn't aware they could be canceled. Nice to know. Sounds like my plan moving forward. .

 

[bentax1978]

Saving a buck or two is not the real issue. Convenience of not having to find a computer to purchase or print a label is more appealing. I know hotels have business centers, and I'm sure people have used them with success, but I've never found it easy or convenient to print off a mere boarding pass, much less a shipping label, lol.

Understood, I didn't actually think you cared about saving the buck or two

I was thinking that you'd have to go to the post office anyway to get the flat rate box itself (unless you were going to pack one with you). So I figured that as long as you were at the post office anyway, the only difference would be the slight increase in cost to send it since you could just hand-write the label to yourself and pay the postage at the counter.

 

[Trihonda]

Understood, I didn't actually think you cared about saving the buck or two

I was thinking that you'd have to go to the post office anyway to get the flat rate box itself (unless you were going to pack one with you). So I figured that as long as you were at the post office anyway, the only difference would be the slight increase in cost to send it since you could just hand-write the label to yourself and pay the postage at the counter.

Nah, game plan is to pack the empty box, then ask the desk for some packing tape. Seems simple.

Unless of course, there's a post office near the strip? That'd be simple too.

 

[RagsPoker]

Nah, game plan is to pack the empty box, then ask the desk for some packing tape. Seems simple.

FRB is definitely the way to go. Preprint your label, take a FRB box and throw in a roll of packaging tape in your luggage.
I got a bunch of $1's from Flamingo last January and TSA went through my luggage, that has happened both times I brought chips home.
Flamingo spotted chips are very rare in the casino anymore, but there seem to be a lot of nicer solids available.
They don't seem to care if you take chips out of the poker room, just don't take them off the table during a game. Obviously, that's a no-no. But when you leave to cash out, you can just take the chips to your room. I walked thru the casino with a rack and had no problem. Guys/dealers working the poker room cage seem really nice and helpful.
I'm going back in January with the in-laws. I'm staying at the Flamingo while the in-laws are staying at Harrahs. I've always like the Flamingo Poker Room and their dealers.....and their chips!

 

[Trihonda]

I'm going back in January with the in-laws. I'm staying at the Flamingo while the in-laws are staying at Harrahs. I've always like the Flamingo Poker Room and their dealers.....and their chips!

When in January? I went last January and thought the same thing about the poker room staff at the Flamingo.

I'm heading back there this January (9-12).

 

[RagsPoker]

When in January? I went last January and thought the same thing about the poker room staff at the Flamingo.

I'm heading back there this January (9-12).

I'm arriving the afternoon/evening of Jan. 12 and staying thru the week. Looks like we will just miss each other.

 

[BGinGA]

If you're packing the box/label in your luggage and taking it with you, no need to also take tape. Priority Mail tape is available free at the post office for Priority packages, at least here in Georgia.

 

[Trihonda]

If you're packing the box/label in your luggage and taking it with you, no need to also take tape. Priority Mail tape is available free at the post office for Priority packages, at least here in Georgia.

Very true. However, my goal will be to harvest a couple racks, take to my room, wrap up said racks in some dirty t-shirts (maybe too much info), pack up the box, apply the label, and then drop it off at the front desk to be mailed (while on my way to the poker room). If I can avoid a taxi to/from a post office, that'll be awesome.

If there's a nearby post office, I can forgo bringing any boxes or tape. Simple.

In reviewing some pics of my last trip, I noticed very few spotted $1's (I seemed to recall more).

The solids are in decent condition, but now I'm rethinking harvesting any non-spotted chips. Unsure.

 

[Puggy]

@Mr. Cheese Holy FRAK Dan. If you happen to visit Treasure Island, do snatch me a barrel of these.
Just to get the most gorgeous shufflers....

 

[Puggy]

I'll take ten racks of these:

Ooooh, what a great taste for chips you have Sir

 

[Mr. Cheese]

@Mr. Cheese Holy FRAK Dan. If you happen to visit Treasure Island, do snatch me a barrel of these.
Just to get the most gorgeous shufflers....

View attachment 23890

I'm not sure if those are the current chip anymore. I intend to find out soon though! If they are I should probably just wheel in a suitcase and start loading it up with racks and racks of these beauties

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I just called and asked what the current $1 chip looked like. It's not that one unfortunately :/. Sounds like they switched over about 6 or more years ago.

 

[Trihonda]

I kinda like the PH $1 chip

Snagged these last year. But I think the mouse mold rules them out for relabeling or a mixed set.

 

[jbutler]

I kinda like the PH $1 chip

Snagged these last year. But I think the mouse mold rules them out for relabeling or a mixed set.

If you want a similar chip on the RHC mold, I could easily get a few racks of Parx $1s.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

If you want a similar chip on the RHC mold, I could easily get a few racks of Parx $1s.

I have a feeling after I get the sample set of those I'm going to want a few racks to build a set. Oh this chip addiction!

 

[David O]

@Trihonda if you see any that look good to relabel for my new Trop Cash set let me know. I will be there in early Februaury

 

[pltrgyst]

I live nearby the following casino's that I would be more then happy to harvest chips from for people that wanted them.

Running Ace's
Canterbury Park
Mystic Lake Casino
Treasure Island
Grand Casino Hinckley (hour and a half to two hours away from me)
St Croix Casino Turtle Lake

The Mystic Lake must have a really good designer on staff -- very nice chips, IMO. I could definitely go for the $1s.

And those Grand Casino $2s and snappers are terrific! I have no use for them, but I really like them. (Although every time I glance at those labels I get excited, thinking the image is an open-wheel race car, until I look closely... 8;( )

Are there any Florida casinos you're interested in?

-- Larry

 

[Mr. Cheese]

The Mystic Lake must have a really good designer on staff -- very nice chips, IMO. I could definitely go for the $1s.

And those Grand Casino $2s and snappers are terrific! I have no use for them, but I really like them. (Although every time I glance at those labels I get excited, thinking the image is an open-wheel race car, until I look closely... 8;( )

Are there any Florida casinos you're interested in?

-- Larry

Hey Larry,

Yeah Grand Casino chips are probably one of the better ones in my area.

The Isle Casino has a brand new 2015 issued RHC light blue 1 that I would totally love to get a few racks of.
Miccosukee Indian Gaming has a bunch of different fractional Hat and Cane Chips. I'd take like 1000 of those if you could get your hands on them

Edit: Looks like both of those casinos are 3+ hours away from you.

 

[slisk250]

If there was someone out there who could harvest two racks of Motor City 1s in SU condition I'd be forever grateful.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

If there was someone out there who could harvest two racks of Motor City 1s in SU condition I'd be forever grateful.

I'm planning to go there this may if you haven't gotten any by then

 

[Trihonda]

Miccosukee Indian Gaming has a bunch of different fractional Hat and Cane Chips. I'd take like 1000 of those if you could get your hands on them

I won't even be greedy... I'd settle for 200 (maybe 300) of these. (and I'd pay 2x face value)

 

[slisk250]

I'm planning to go there this may if you haven't gotten any by then

I'm not looking for any so I'm sure I'll need them when you go. When you have two racks of Motor City Quarters as I do, it would be cool to just build a small MC set.

Consider the order placed: 200 MC 1s - If you find them, message me before you leave the casino as I'll send money for a rack of 5s. I'd keep those as long as they are live. If they will be cancelled in the future, then I'd just send them back to you to cash in (plus your courier fee and extra special nice guy tip)

 

[BGinGA]

Unless northern geography has changed since I lived there, Wisconsin isn't very close to Detroit, Michigan.....you may want to put an alternate cash-in plan together involving chaosrock, detroitdad, or one of the other chipping Michiganders.