Their info on the NCV chips is better than mine, I'm pretty rusty on buying the packs at the casinos. And yes, you do pay for the chips but as John reminds, you'll get $15 face chips for $10 typically.

Last Sept. during Jim Munding's Reno show (see you again this year!) the Wincard chips were available at Golden Phoenix and Reno Hilton. The GP was trying to get someone, anyone to please, please come in! It is creepy to walk into a casino and have a couple of dozen dealers standing at empty tables watching you walk through and out of the place!