Protecting Your Chips

UprightCreature · #1 10-08-2007, 07:10 PM

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.

Rjack · #2 10-08-2007, 07:14 PM

I gotta try that on a bad day.

AngusThermopyle · #3 10-08-2007, 07:17 PM

The story sounds like b.s.

UprightCreature · #4 10-08-2007, 07:29 PM

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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.

VegasRunner · #5 10-08-2007, 07:36 PM

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?

AngusThermopyle · #6 10-08-2007, 07:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

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

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

[/ QUOTE ]

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".

AngusThermopyle · #7 10-08-2007, 07:39 PM

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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.

RR · #8 10-08-2007, 08:08 PM

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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.

BrianBigNFun · #9 10-08-2007, 08:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

The story sounds like b.s.

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

[/ QUOTE ]

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

bav · #10 10-08-2007, 08:49 PM

This story may or may not be BS, but this DOES happen from time to time. I also heard of a very similar tale happening at the WSOP in the past maybe 4 years? Basically you wait for someone to go to dinner so you know they'll be gone a while, wait for the dealer to change, and then come in and do whatever bit of social engineering double talk to abscond with the chips.

In one story, the thief simply came over and said "Bill asked me to come pick him up--he's not coming back from dinner". In another the person quietly sat down in someone's seat, posted the missed blind, played a couple hands, and then picked up and left. Apparently nobody at the table remembered who had been sitting there.

If you're worried about such things, color-up, and announce how much you're taking off the table as you go (but leave behind some chips to save your seat).