Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The small colored metal or plastic discs used in gambling establishments are termed and coined as casino tokens. Usually two types of tokens are used in casinos. Chips (multicolor tokens of various denominations) and metal token coins. Chips are used primarily in table games and other variety is used primarily in slot machines. Gaming plaques are also used for high stakes table games by some casinos. These denominations are about $25,000 and above. These plaques differ from chips as they are larger and usually rectangular in shape and also contain serial numbers. There is a section of cashier station called the cage. For the token coins or chips in a casino money is exchanged at the cage, at the gaming tables, and at a slot machine. These tokens do not have any value outside of the casino, but are interchangeable with money at the establishment. For several reasons and functions these tokens are deployed and employed. Tokens are handier to use than currency, and also it is difficult it to steal or counterfeit. The tokens, especially chips are easier to count compared to paper currency when used on a table as they are of the uniform size and also due to their regularity of stacks. This factor also helps to quickly verify the amount being paid and also enables the pit boss or security to reduce the chance of a dealer who might be overpaying a customer. Also according to survey the players gamble more freely with replacement currencies than with cash. Read further...