Monday, August 18, 2025

August 2025

 Added one new chip back in June when I visited the Bally's Casino in Chicago. Multi-level casino that had extremely high table limits for a Tuesday night and was quite busy for a Tuesday night. Didn't play, as only $50 tables were open. Fine looking chip, fine looking casino - but if you are in downtown Chicago, you can probably find better things to do than sit at cramped $50 tables. Like go to Ed Debevic's.


I will say that this looks a lot like the Jumer's Casino chip from Rock Island, Illinois (here) - maybe hexagons are the official state shape of the Prairie State.

Friday, May 16, 2025

2025 - May

Three new chips added to my collection, which brings me to 534 total. That's eight complete frames of 63 and one frame of 30. The next chip I get, I'll have to get a new frame to display it. Outta real estate.

All three new chips are from the Gila River Resort outside of Phoenix. I got my first Gila River chip way back in 2014 and one the the ones I got on this most recent trip looks a lot like my original one.

1. Gila River House chip. Simple design with the names of the three resorts on it. The new one has the names on the front and back. The old one just has the names on the back. There's actually an individual chip for each resort, but I didn't feel like bringing those back. Nor would I have had room for them right away in the frame. I was playing at Wild Horse Pass. Maybe next time I'll make it to Lone Butte or Vee Quiva.


2. and 3. Gila River Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns chips. The Resort is the official hotel and casino of both professional franchises. Cool design with the team logo, etc. Although, to be honest, I thought the Cardinals one was a Louisville Cardinals one at first. I had not been drinking, but western NFL teams don't immediately jump to mind.


534. That's $2,670 in chips hanging on my wall. I hope Ryan and Molly never figure out how to exchange those for cash.