BARGE CHIP COMMITTEE (BCC)

In March 2001, the BARGE Chip Committee was formed. At that time, it appeared that the BARGE 2000 NLHE champion was unlikely to participate in the creation of BARGE chips, so a group of RGPers took the reigns and formed the BCC.

Our mission in 2001 was to get the process back on track and to make sure that a set of BARGE chips is produced every year, with or without participation from the current NLHE champion. We created, marketed, and distributed the chips sets for 2000 and 2001.

In 2002, Russell Fox (BARGE 2001 NLHE champion) took an active role in the creation of the BARGE chips (theme: Rocks), so the BCC played a supporting role in the design, sale, and distribution of the BARGE 2002 chips.

In 2003, Mike "Howler" McBride (BARGE 2002 NLHE champion) also got involved in the creation of the BARGE chips. In addition to choosing the basic theme, Presto! in Art and History, he created the original artwork for the purple chip. Again, the BCC supported his efforts.

In 2004, Paul Person (BARGE 2003 NLHE champion) selected the theme, BARGE Memories, and helped choose the photographs for the chip set. Paul created the photograph showing Presto. Again, the BCC is providing design, production, sales, and distribution support.

In 2005, Gavin Smith (BARGE 2004 NLHE champion) handed over the reins to the BCC. In honor of his Canadian origins, we created a "Maple-leaf Presto!" for the common "heads" side of the chips, and used different examples of Las Vegas neon lights for the "tails" side.

In 2006, Don Perry (BARGE 2005 NLHE champion) wanted to honor his recently departed friend, Big Al Weber. We ended up with five memorial chips and three chips that showed Don in various historic settings (such as the Last Supper).

In 2007, Mordecai Schwartz (BARGE 2006 NLHE champion) worked with the BCC to produce a set based on the theme of "Presto! in Everyday Life." For the common side of each chip, a new BARGE logo was created, inspired by the new "VEGAS" signage on Fremont Street.

In 2008, John "da pickle" Pickels (BARGE 2007 NLHE champion) worked with the BCC to produce a set based on the theme of "Pickle Magic ." For the common side of each chip, the new BARGE logo was combined with an example of "Presto Magic."

In 2009, Dan Chevrie (BARGE 2008 NLHE champion) worked with the BCC to produce a set based on the theme of "IRC Poker."

As it stands, the committee and their email addresses are listed below:

Chair - Randy Collack (randyc@mybluegrace.com)
David Lawful (davidlawful@msn.com)
Patrick Milligan (patrick@oakleaf.com)
Andy Hughes (AndyHughes@NevadaCasinoChips.com)
Paul Stine (paul.stine@verizon.net)
Tim Stine (timmer2006@cox.net)
Mike McBride (mcbride1231@comcast.net)
Russell Fox (rcfox@claytonservices.com)
Kevin Un (kevinun1@comcast.net)

Although he has "retired" from a position on the BCC, Tom Sims (TomESims@Cox.net) was an active member and participant in the design and marketing of the BARGE 2000 and 2001 chip sets. He also provided a seasoned perspective on the BARGE chip tradition.

If you have any input, suggestions, news or anything else relating to BARGE chips, and you'd like to have it published here for reference, please email Patrck Milligan.

Important Chip Links

The 2000 BARGE Chip Set (2000: The Year of RGP)
The 2001 BARGE Chip Set (2001: A Poker Odyssey)
The 2002 BARGE Chip Set (Rocks)
The 2003 BARGE Chip Set (Presto! in Art and History)
The 2004 BARGE Chip Set (BARGE Memories)
The 2005 BARGE Chip Set (Las Vegas Neon)
The 2006 BARGE Chip Set (Memorial chips & "Don Gump")
The 2007 BARGE Chip Set (Presto! in Everyday Life)
The 2008 BARGE Chip Set (Pickle Magic)
The 2009 BARGE Chip Set (IRC Poker)

Casino Chips & Gaming Tokens Collectors Club
Nevada Casino Chips (Andy Hughes)