Protecting Your Chips
 

Recently a Commerce player told me about a guy he was playing 40-80 with. Supposedly a gentleman who had a few racks of chips got up to use the restroom. A few minutes later a younger kid shows up at the table while talking on his cell phone. He says into the cell “Ok dad, I’ll rack you up and meet you at the cage.” The kid proceeds to rack up all the chips and leaves. A few minutes later the guy comes back and asks where his chips are, and the table informs him that his son has his chips at the main cage. To this he replies “I don’t have a son!” I of course have no idea whether this story is true or not, but supposedly it is, and the guy didn’t get his chips back, nor reimbursed by the casino.

What can a player do to protect themselves and their chips when away from the table? What kind of responsibility does or should the casino have to protect the chips (I suspect this varies by jurisdiction)? What level of security for the chips should a player reasonable be able to expect?

I already take all paper and high denomination chips when I am away from the table, but I don’t really make any effort to protect my main pile of chips other than knowing approximately how many I have. Even though I am know by the regulars and dealers in my home casino, I’m not so sure if anyone would actually stop someone trying to take my chips with some story or another, let alone when I’m playing out of town.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

I gotta try that on a bad day.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

The story sounds like b.s.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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The story sounds like b.s.

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As I alluded to in my OP I'm skeptical myself, but regardless I'm more curious about protecting myself than the validity of a story I heard at the poker table.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

Wait a minute. If you aren't allowed to pull money off the table, how the hell is it possible to protect your chips when you go to the bathroom.

If the casino isn't responsible, who is? Are we expected to just hold it until we cash out?

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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I'm more curious about protecting myself

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You already take high denomination chips and cash.
Don't stay away from the table for long periods, even if it is "allowed".
Impress upon the players/dealers/floor that you will be "back in 15-30 minutes after your break/smoke/meal" etc.
Don't play in 'unlicensed' places.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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Wait a minute. If you aren't allowed to pull money off the table, how the hell is it possible to protect your chips when you go to the bathroom.


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As long as you put the cash/high denomination chips back when you return, most places allow it.

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If the casino isn't responsible, who is? Are we expected to just hold it until we cash out?

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As I said, I think the story is b.s. But, nice scam to have a younger friend pose as your "son", cash out, and then you scream and get the chips back, if the casino falls for it. "if".

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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The story sounds like b.s.

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I know of something similiar that happened one year at the WSOP.

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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The story sounds like b.s.

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I know of something similiar that happened one year at the WSOP.

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waiting.... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Protecting Your Chips
 

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The story sounds like b.s.

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I've seen this more than once.

The first time: Shortly after the Excalibur opened a regular low limit player bought in for a $100 rack. He played one hand and then left to get something to eat.
Soon thereafter a young couple ( drunked up or drugged up ) showed up to play. The guy sat down in the open seat and she sat down in the seat with his chips. Nobody seemed to notice.
About the time she had blown his rack down to about $15, original player came back.
When they saw him coming, they picked up and left.
Original player of course freaked and Excalibur security caught the couple.
A happy ending!

Another story: I was playing 10/20 at Foxwoods and left to make a phone call.
When I returned, someone was sitting in my seat, gambling with my chips! He was a regular, but by his fifth vodka, he would be out of control. After a short discussion, we came to a clear understanding. Since then he avoids eye contact with me!

Lession learned: When you leave the table, count your chips, mention it to the dealer, and hope you get backed up if there is a subsequent dispute. There is not much more than you can do, but be careful out there!