Another of my collecting interests is something that comes from the West, namely Las Vegas.
On our first trip to Vegas, about ten years ago, I was walking around a casino, people-watching, while my wife was playing a slot machine.
Most slot machines do not get excited, and I don’t have enough nerve, or money, to play any table games.
Therefore, I spend a lot of time people watching.
On this trip, walking around in a casino, I stumbled on a machine that gave tokens for the payout. Different tokens were. in the machine, and I starting playing. In no time, I had won my first token. I was hooked.
From that point, our mission was to visit each casino and see if they had a “Silver Strike Machine.” We visited every casino on the Strip looking. We found many.
We had a limited amount of money with us for gambling. We were there to see the sights. Gambling was way down the to-do list.
Although the amount we had for gambling is important, on the morning we were leaving, Pauline won more than we brought. It was less than two hundred dollars.
Enjoying a Sliver of Silver
I did win a few of the Silver Strike tokens from various casinos. While waiting at the airport, which also had a Strike Machine, I won five more, my best win on this trip.
What is a Silver Strike?
The definition is Limited Edition silver token won from slot machines, and it is in a protective plastic holder.
Some call them “Silver Premium Tokens.” Most call them “Silver Strikes.” These tokens were issued by casinos throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Cruise Ships. The first tokens were won from slot machines in the Reno/Tahoe area in 1992.
Upon returning home to Dayton from our trip, I was speaking with an acquaintance, who travels to Las Vegas on a regular basis. The question you always get is, “How did you do?”
I gave my standard answer: “I’m not much of a gambler. However, I did find machines that gave tokens as the payout.”
Since I was at his home, he excused himself and returned with a giant jar filled with Silver Strikes. He told me he doesn’t really enjoy slot machines, either. But he also found the Silver Strike Machines.
He asked if I was aware of the Silver Strike “club.” He provided me with information and an application.
I joined the Silver Strikers, and I have attended a few conventions. For the last two years, I have attended a Silver Strike Slot Tournament, sponsored by the Four Queens Hotel and Casino.
As with all good things, there appears to be a problem. Last January, when my brother-in-law and I were in Vegas, there were only four casinos with Silver Strike Machines. Another change taking place is with the strike itself. Formerly .999 silver, they are now clad.
Some casinos have a two hundred dollar strike program, which are still silver. After you win twenty ten-dollar strikes, you can exchange them for a $200 strike. If the casino does not have a $200 strike program, I turn in my duplicates for ten dollars, the value stamped on the strike.
Even with the limited number of machines and the change in the strike itself, I still enjoy the yearly trip to Vegas with my brother-in-law.
If you would like more information on Silver Strikes, the Silver Strikers Club, collecting Silver Strikes, or the slot tournament, visit the Club’s website at www.silverstrikers.com.
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at
pmhenn@sbcglobal.net
