Leaving chips at table risky?

21Menace

Well-Known Member
#1
Is it risky to leave your chips at the table when you use the bathroom or leave for a few minutes cause a low count? Does the dealer has the responsibility to watch them? It seems to easy for the guy next to you to take a few. Any bad experiences? Or is it perfectly safe?
 

kewljason

Well-Known Member
#2
daaaaveey said:
Is it risky to leave your chips at the table when you use the bathroom or leave for a few minutes cause a low count? Does the dealer has the responsibility to watch them? It seems to easy for the guy next to you to take a few. Any bad experiences? Or is it perfectly safe?
Quite frankly, I've never understood this logic. I know people feel it is safe to do so, and see players do it all the time. What happens when they switch dealers?? The new dealer knows not who belongs to those chips. :confused: I personally, treat chips as cash and I would never consider going to the mens room and leaving a pile of cash at the table.
 

johndoe

Well-Known Member
#3
I'll leave a few red/green, in an even denomination that I can remember and verify upon my return, maybe up to $100 worth. This does, to some degree, help mark your "territory". Never black or higher.

But I do see people leave chips all the time.
 

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#4
I picked mine up when I leave the table, even if it is only going to be for a short moment. I don't trust my friends, I won't trust strangers. It was terribly annoying once when the table I was at, all full of course, says, "Hey, you can leave your chips we won't take them. We're all honest, it's okay!" then not only are they all telling me this like it is some rule I should follow the dealer chimes in "Even I won't take them, leave them so you don't have full pockets." It was enough of a skeptical moment that I didn't even go back to that table. Anyone who can stop an entire game to coheres a girl to leave her chips is just too conspicuous. :confused: I don't think I look stupid. I might just look paranoid, lol
 

toastblows

Well-Known Member
#5
I could swear if you are in at a casino table and you leave the chips, they take all responsibility for guarding them if you need to use the bathroom etc......otherwise people would just get up and leave all the time. Anyone confirm this...i think they will guarentee safe keeping like a bank in a temporary leave...and cameras can be used to disput any sticky hands in your absense.
 

21forme

Well-Known Member
#6
In AC, most places most of the time will tell you to TAKE your chips with you. In LV and other places, they won't hold your spot if you don't leave some chips. Guess too many people ask for a spot to be held then don't come back. As another poster already mentioned, I'll leave a few low denom chips, but never leave black or higher, or a big stack.
 

johndoe

Well-Known Member
#8
toastblows said:
I could swear if you are in at a casino table and you leave the chips, they take all responsibility for guarding them if you need to use the bathroom etc......otherwise people would just get up and leave all the time. Anyone confirm this...i think they will guarentee safe keeping like a bank in a temporary leave...and cameras can be used to disput any sticky hands in your absense.
That's not true; they keep an eye on them out of courtesy, but I highly doubt they're formally liable for them. It's at your own risk. Good luck getting the casino to reimburse you if someone runs off with them.
 

Koseao

Well-Known Member
#9
johndoe said:
That's not true; they keep an eye on them out of courtesy, but I highly doubt they're formally liable for them. It's at your own risk. Good luck getting the casino to reimburse you if someone runs off with them.

Good point. I don't think they would reimburse you at all. If they did, I am leaving big chips on the table, going to the bathroom, having someone I know swipe my chips and then asking the casino to watch the video of it, and equally pay me back. :) Doubling down a new way. Sounds nice ey? Yes, if only they would, that sounds nice. :grin:
 

aslan

Well-Known Member
#10
A few red chips is all I'll leave, but usually not even that. In AC they'll put a transparent chip marker on your betting ring to mark it as reserved. I figure it's money and if there is anyone who's sharp looking for an opportunity to steal, you're providing them a chance to get over. If you ever do lose chips, I think you should ask the PB to call surveillance and have them run the film to see who copped your chips and how. My rule of thumb is, "Always treat chips as cash money: crooks do."
 
#11
I was told once by a pit boss in AC that you leave chips at your own risk, they will not reimburse you if something gets stolen. The only thing that the casino security "might" do is review video in attempt to identify thief and report to police.
 
#12
I also take black and above with me.

In AC I've seen them put a transparent plastic box over piles of chips to keep them from disappearing. All in all, leaving chips at the table is a quaint tradition from the days when you would be expected to fight a pistol duel if you stole at the gambling table. Today, someone could steal my chips, I beat the hell out of him, and then he really takes my money in court.
 

StandardDeviant

Well-Known Member
#13
I've always wondered about this, and am glad this thread started. I must admit I've done it before, but I've always thought it was stupid. Now I'll stop...
 

Cardcounter

Well-Known Member
#14
My advice for leaving chips on the table is don't or if you do leave a dollar chip to mark your spot. That way if somebody takes your chips you won't be to upset. If you leave them for too long like accidental go home and forget your chips the house will confiscate them after awhile. I saw one person lose $50 like this. The dealer will say that he will watch your chips for you when you leave but dealers get distracted and don't always watch your chips.
 

toastblows

Well-Known Member
#15
Good stuff. I always count my chips before I leave and like some of you never leave black or higher at the table. I have never been ripped off yet. I do play a lot of high stakes rooms though where Im usually alone at the table, so if someone where to try to steal, it would be more obvious I'm guessing......still good to know. Thanks for the info.
 

ihate17

Well-Known Member
#16
this is an easy question to answer

What can you gain by leaving your chips at a table?

What can you lose by leaving your chips at a table?

Once you have answered this your decision should be easy.

I also leave some low denomination chips but when I do not have any I will have the dealer mark my spot with a lamer or put a coin out as a marker.

ihate17
 

Thunder

Well-Known Member
#17
I've personally witnessed someone complaining about having their chips stolen at a poker table. That said, the disadvantage to taking your chips from the table is that it can be risky to do that especially if you have a lot of chips. They could possibly fall out of your pocket and you don't notice it for example if you quickly reach in to grab a cell phone or what not. When going to the bathroom they could fall out. You could always color up before you leave but then I've had it where they've failed to reenter me into the computer when I returned so there are advantages and disadvantages to each. I typically will only leave red chips on the table.
 
#19
The thiefs excuse - He'ed had a few drinks and sob,sob, the chips were a losers bet. Complained to the manager but no reimbursement ,that is they kept the chips knowing they had been stolen.
So for every twenty five trips to the loo there will be one error . Frankly i'd rather not give chips to those con artists. Just ask the dealer and your seat is safe for a few minutes.
dave
 
#20
I leave my chips at the table more often than not. The times I don't do this is when I know my bathroom bream may take longer than usual (going #2). Or, when I have an unusually high sum of money at the table.

Also, I believe that if you leave money at the table and return to find that some or all of it gone, you can ask the casino to review the tape captured from the eye in the sky. I'm sure that some casinos would actually like to know of anyone they can identify as a thief. A thief to a patron is also a thief to the casino.
 
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