An update from casino chip record holder, Gregg Fisher:
“I spent the month of August traveling in Mexico. As a local in Las Vegas, you need to escape the heat of summer. I visited a half dozen casinos, only, to obtain 2 chips. There’s one benefit of being the Guinness world records holder, I had to show my certificate to get the chips.
The casinos I visited were in Acapulco and Mexico City. They have very limited space, and fewer tables. You must obtain a player’s card prior to playing, either slots or table games. They do not readily sell chips, they closely monitor the action.
On the plus side, I have 2 more chips to add to my next attempt. This was the hardest I’ve had to work to obtain chips.
The first picture is from Acapulco, second from Mexico City.”
Emotion casino, Acapulco
Toreo casino, Mexico City
In a year in which any event taking place is a bit of a miracle, it pays to celebrate both achievement and community. In the casino world there can have been no better example of that than this year’s Casino Collectibles Association Convention, held in Las Vegas (where else!). Despite no-one from the UK or Canada being able to attend this year the convention drew in an impressive 1800 people. The decision to even go ahead was initially delayed due to the pandemic and so it’s heartening to know that the spirit of those who still showed up could not be dampened. As the ‘world’s largest casino chip and collectibles show’ it was bound to draw in the crowds.
You may have already heard of the convention via the now several posts on the site pertaining to Gregg Fischer and his casino chip world record . His World Record Collection took pride of place at the event and his delight at being on show was evident to all. As reminder to the uninitiated, the Casino Collectibles Association tasks itself with preserving gaming history. Their website at http://www.ccgtcc.com states that they “have created a resource for information and history on gaming memorabilia – chips, tokens, dice, slot cards, playing cards etc”. Its subsidiary is the Museum of Gaming History. Photos of the convention below provide a flavour of the occasion.
Photo 1 – President Jerry receiving $5 donation from every signed book sold by the poker pros Jan Fisher (l) and Linda Johnson.
Photo 2 – Gregg Fisher with his Guinness World Record collection on display
Photo 3 – The Show Floor
Photo 4 – Mark Hall-Patton (The beard of knowledge – of Pawn Stars fame) signing autographs and talking with attendees
Of note, also is that Gregg Fischer is going to attempt to soon triple his chip collection record to 2222 casino chips and tokens. This has been a detailed, time consuming authentication and documentation effort because nothing less is accepted by Guinness (who reject 40% of record efforts due to imperfect documentation). All being the collection will be on display at Spinettis Gaming Supplies in Las Vegas on Septmember 30th. If approved the collection will also be on display at the Casino Collectibles Association’s (CCA) 29th annual show, held on June 16th-18th, 2022, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.” Fingers crossed for Gregg!
A conversation about being a Guinness World Record Holder, and more besides. It’s so great to hear Gregg talk after so many glimpses into his life as a collector. We could all benefit from being so keyed into the idea or indeed reality of having a passion that we see through to the nth degree.
Being a record breaker is a far more meticulous process than many would consider. From Gregg’s insights we can see why it would be daunting for some to go through it, but then of course that’s what it takes to hold a world record. It has to meet a high standard of proof in terms of both authenticity and beyond. Not just a numbers game (in terms of chips, or anything!). No doubt that rules some people out to begin with, because there is a level of seriousness, documentation and professionalism that has to be adhered to.
Casino Chip collector and man about town Gregg Fisher has once again been bursting through the doors of a newly opened casino / resort (this time with his lovely wife accompanying him!). News of the grand opening was music to his ears and arrived at Resorts World, NV, just 12 hours after it opened and had a glowing appraisal of it, deeming it ‘the best on the strip’. High praise indeed! In fact it’s the first new resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip in over a decade. With tens of food and drink options, three Hilton hotels, and a 117,000-square-foot casino, to say that the resort has a lot to offer would be an understatement.
So early was the casino chip world record holder to the venue that opened up a table for him. Without pause he captured images of their chips, and indeed the venue as a whole. This is a $4.3 billion resort (yes, you read that correctly!), so is appropriately ‘easy on the eye’. Opening on 24th June and described as combining a blend of technology and luxury urban appeal, visually Resorts World certainly stands out from the crowd. Some of the impressive images taken by Gregg on the day are below ‘hot off the press’ style. Enjoy!
