Not sure if this is standard or me being a nit:

I'm standing in line at the new Encore in Everett, MA, and as noted in the sub-forum thread devoted to it, the cashiers are rather deliberate and there's not enough cashiers to deal with the volume of players needing to buy/sell chips.

I'm second from the front of the line, guy walks up and asks to buy chips, I say, "No, I'll just wait." He got offended! Meanwhile, the kid in front of me ends up demonstrating exactly why I didn't want to sell -- he awkwardly takes a purple and five blacks out of his rack, one of the black ends up on the floor, and the guy buying meanwhile rapid-fire counts out ten hundos -- at least the kid counted (almost spraying chips everywhere)...

All I'm saying is, there's a lovely flat place to count chips and money, it's a few feet from where we're standing, and I'm going to have to wait for it either way. At a minimum, don't have the gall to act offended when you're asking me the favor.

So, tell me I'm wrong?

Totally reasonable to refuse for several different reasons, including risk of human fraud, error, and the casino taking punitive action against you.

Someone being offended doesn't make them right

I've seen people get offended someone wouldn't give them a 1k loan. To really drive the point home, I've had someone I don't know in a casino just straight ask me for 1k and be offended I wouldn't give it to them.

You are under no obligation to sell chips, and can refuse for whatever reason you want.

I won't sell chips to anyone buying with $20s because I don't want them.


--klez

You're completely in the right. It's risky doing a quick transaction for a chunk of money with a random like that. Not worth it.

The douche doesn't understand the point of the marketplace in the cashier line at Encore. It's to mutually benefit the buyer and the seller during a time when the cashier has some inefficiencies to work out. Being at the front of the line, you had nothing to gain.

It was very weird for him to get offended. He's likely offended constantly. Don't take nit signals from his type.

If there’s a long line and I’m pretty close to the cashier, I might be willing to sell if the guy offered me $20 extra or something like that. No way I’m letting a stranger basically cut the line for free.

Unless he is buying all my chips, I really get nothing out of the exchange, and he gets to effectively cut in line.

In 10yrs of live play. Have seen 2 times where the cash was counterfeit. Who knows how many times it wasn’t caught.

Players aren't allowed to sell chips where I work. Although this Isa policy that the poker room usually turns a blind eye to (shhh... Don't tell gaming). As a player I wouldn't sell them to someone I didn't know/trust. Counterfeit cash and 'accidental' underpayment isn't uncommon.

This. Counterfeiters (dumb ones) come to casinos to try to "exchange" their fakes for the real deal. They get to avoid all the detection systems in place if they can get a schmuck to sell them chips.

Alright cool, this was a small part of my worry, I was more worried about creating a yard sale situation with the chips, but this thread has certainly affirmed my decision!

The casino also frowns upon it. You would most likely be asked to stop doing that if any knowing employee saw it.

I would only exchange chip for chip from other players. Even then they could have stolen the chip so probably best to only sell or exchange with players you know.

You really have to visit Encore to know how bad it is. The cage cannot process the demand fast enough, and so the buying and selling of chips has been the only thing preventing the line from growing indefinitely.

Encore might eventually frown upon the practice, but they (unofficially) have no problem with it right now. It's completely necessary until they figure out their situation. That said, nobody should get mad at anyone for not participating. The risks haven't changed.

The one thing I did see (and actually gained me several spots right before this situation occurred) is that they brought racks to an inactive table and sold chips to a variety of stakes all at once, and kept the cashier just for folks cashing in. I think they recognize that this is an issue at least -- here's hoping they resolve it soon.

I would never sell chips like unless either with a close friend or for trivial amounts with a reg I’m friendly think and think is unlikely to burn their rep for a hundo. If it’s some stranger and he gets offended with my polite refusal, I’d laugh in his face and tell him to keep it moving. You know who gets offended by reasonable refusals in high risk situations? Low lifes and scam artists.

Always assume they have counterfeit bills or are pros at sleight of hand.

He wasn't asking to help you out so you don't have to wait - he was asking so he doesn't have to wait in line. However, by no means are you obligated to sell chips. I've sold chips before and I've also told people "No, sorry dude" when both my hands are full and it would be awkward to count out chips (especially if I've never seen him before).

I noticed how slow they were when I was there on Thursday. I assume they'll get faster as they get used to the process.

I sold chips like this once a long time ago. After thinking about it a little, I've never done it again. The upside has always been I save maybe 5 minutes at the most. The downside I thought of was the somewhat increased possibility of counterfeit bills. Also, it is probably technically not allowed and while probably unlikely, who knows if the casino is going to decide to try to enforce it at some point.

I usually just say sorry. Nobody has ever made an issue out of it.

This, but I'll elaborate.

Human fraud/error - Fun fact: Casino cameras are there to protect their establishment first and foremost. That's why the best camera coverage is where the casino's money is (i.e. directly at the rack on the table, directly at the pay square at the cage). Camera coverage anywhere else is spotty at best and no, this isn't the movies or CSI where every camera can just "zoom and enhance" to get a crystal clear image. If the transaction is done incorrectly, there's a slim chance that surveillance would even be able to confirm an error was made. Even IF they can, they are under no obligation to reimburse you because it wasn't one of their employees that made the mistake. They'll probably flag the player and attempt to recover it if they can, but they won't give you anything out of their pocket.

Punitive action - Depending on how much players buy-in or cash out, federal laws may require an ID or SSN when conducting the transaction. Some players try to avoid this in several ways including doing the transaction in line.

You were well within your rights bro, this has never happened to me bit I wouldn't do it either.

Tell 'em to go pound sand.