This is a short guide.  I was going to list some actual roulette chips but decided not to because the current listings (3-6-07) were bunched in together with most listings claiming to be both.  I'm putting this guide in to tell you there is a difference and to tell you what the most basic difference is.  I worked as a Black Jack / Roulette / Pai Gow Poker / etc. games dealer for more than 15 years, so I think I'm somewhat qualified to write this (with the exception of Casino Poker Rooms, in which I never worked or played-I also have no knowledge outside of the USA).  I will consider doing more casino guides in the future, but this is my offering for now so that you at least know what you're buying, especially when thinking about bidding on or buying actual Casino Collectibles.

CHIPS AND CHEQUES - DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

The last time you were in a casino, did you play in the Table Games area?  Live Craps, Live Blackjack, Live Roulette, Live Pai Gow Poker, Live Let It Ride, etc.?  If so, you have played with both chips and cheques.  Do you know the difference? 

CHEQUES

Casino CHEQUES (pronounced 'checks') are the actual casino money.  They have denominations, usually $1, $5, $25, $100, $500, and higher.  The $1 cheques can be the heavy 'silver dollar' colored metal pieces with the casino logo, sometimes they're white or another light color, but always marked $1 with some sort of casino identifier.  The $5 cheques are usually red, are always marked $5, and again, have a casino logo or something that identifies a specific casino.   $25 cheques are usually green and yep!  you guessed it,  are marked $25 along with a casino logo or other marking that designates a certain casino.  Some casinos also offer a yellow or yellowish $2.50 cheque which is stamped with the denomination and some sort of casino marking.  Each CHEQUE, no matter where it comes from or what color it is, always has a visible denomination and casino marking.  Although it is always best to cash out your cheques before leaving one casino for another, you can take them with you and cash them in at another casino, either at the cage or the table games.  They get sold back to the correct casino for their marked price.

CHIPS

Casino CHIPS are usually only found on the Roulette Table.  Most have some sort of casino logo or identifier, they do not have a denomination until a player says what denomination he or she will be playing in.  The dealer will take a color not currently in use from the stack beside them and pass it to the player.  If the game is a dollar game, the dealer will not 'mark' the color before passing them to you.  But let's say it's a dollar game, and you want to play each chip as though it were $5 (you high roller you!).  There is no special stack for this.  So the dealer 'marks' the color with a little plastic lammer on the side of the wheel in a designated area.  The dealer takes one of your color chips and places the correct amount designation lammer on top of it.  That is how the dealer keeps track of your denomination if it differs from the designated table minimum.  Even though they look the same as all the others (other than color), each color can be a different denomination.  Since they have no designated denomination, they are not cheques.  They cannot be taken to other games or other casinos because only the dealer knows what they are worth when you buy in, play, and cash out.  Roulette CHIPS must be cashed out at the roulette table where you are playing because they are worthless otherwise.  You cannot bring them back and get money for them because they have no designated denomination.

IN A NUTSHELL

Casino CHEQUES always have an easily identified amount stamped into them and can go anywhere you go in the table games areas, even to other casinos (though not advised as it really is up to each casino as to whether or not they will accept them from a competitior).  Casino CHIPS are always marked by a casino logo of some sort, but never have a stamped denomination, they are only good at the roulette table at the time and for the time you are playing.  They have no value anywhere else, not even in the same casino you are playing in.

Before bidding or buying this type of casino collectible, be sure you know what you are buying.  Before listing this type of casino collectible, make sure you know what you are selling.  If you're not sure, ASK QUESTIONS!  LOTS OF THEM!!!

OK, that's my guide for today.  If you've learned anything at all, I'd appreciate you checking 'YES' below.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me via the eBay mail system.

THANK YOU SO MUCH