There is another "chip" culture around us that deals with the acquisition of large sets of poker chips. These people run the gamut of a set large enough for home play all the way out to sets large enough to support charity Casino Nite events and also illegal (back room) games and tournaments.

I am familiar with a website where these people gather an organize bulk purchases from Chipco, PaulSon (BandG), TRKing and other chip makers.

I imagine that some of those people liked the movie Casino and fancied some home game sets (or bigger). I suspect that we are seeing strays from those sets. It seems that these people will tire of a set and change up and look for ways to cast off the old. Some of them like to build sets from real (previously or currently in-play) casino chips. But when they cannot get the correct number of each denomination, they move on to another acquisition and then will sometimes release what they have to another person.

They are the ones that went the Vineyard chips and Crystal Park chips.

BTW-I've used "they" and "those people" but that is not to imply they are bad people. I frequent their BBS and often answer questions they have. Dave Butler is in there as well.

It is not surprising that these poker players also kept one or two chips from casinos they have played at and some get the collecting bug.

Well, I've rambled enough, but I believe that many, many, many chips exist in that environment and in BULK!

Go to: chiptalk.net Look for their "forum" click poker and then click collectibles. Very interesting.

Jim Follis