I know a lot of negative comments have been made toward "chase" silver strikes so I won't cover too much on the con aspect. Since no one has bothered to say anything positive about them I guess I'll speak up.

Finite series strikes take the hobby to a more expensive level. The special tokens are instant collector's items with instant value. As has been the goal of "chase" items, ever since Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the philosophy behind the idea is offer extra incentive to continue purchasing/playing a common product past a normal level. For many this can lead to gluttonous behavior. The idea of chase strikes fit in perfectly with a casino's strategy. It's up to the person/player to decide when enough is enough.

Even if you hate the idea of an instant rarity, it's hard to deny that "chase" strikes create more business for silver strike machines. At a time when it's unusual for a casino to carry more than two silver strike machines throughout it's entire establishment due to lack of interest/play, silver strikes could use a boost. Even if the extra play is being done by gaming brokers/dealers.

The biggest downside to "chase" strikes is the increase in dealer participation. I'm not talking about the person who trades or auctions off a few extras in order to help cover the cost of keeping up with the hobby. I'm referencing those who pay flunkies to play the machine for the specific goal of selling everything for a profit. Although the problem isn't quite as bad as it is with the casino chip market since the cost of obtaining strikes can vary with the quality of luck you're having at the time.

A subject no one has addressed yet is that a casino "chase" strikes lower the value of their common releases simply due to the fact that more regular strikes are being won in an effort to obtain a "chase" strike. Those concerned that "chase" strikes will deter new collectors from entering the hobby have neglected to consider that regular issues will become more affordable on the secondary market for collectors. Regular series strikes from O'Sheas and the Plaza should be easily had for a dollar or two above face value for the next couple of years. If you're at a casino with "chase" strikes it's highly likely that you could purchase the regular series for face value from a strike player who is at the machine. The debate as to whether this is a good thing or a bad thing hinges on being more of a collector or more of an investor.

The #1 rule of a hobby has always been 'collect what you like'. An additional line should be added to include 'collect what you can afford'. If you're in a casino playing a strike machine and you win a "chase" strike for less than $50 of play then you should consider yourself extremely fortunate. You beat the odds! You gambled and you won. If you can't live without having a particular design and you have the disposable income then you can stack the deck in your favor by playing until you win the "chase" strike.

It may not be fair that those with more money to toss away can guarantee themselves a special prize, but if we all agree that life isn't fair then what is your argument? Some of us drive a Geo Metro while others drive a Lexus LS. We'd all like quality vehicles with comfort and luxuries, but not all of us can afford them.

Collect what you can afford and enjoy what you collect. As the hobby expands those strikes which were common will become a collectible simply because new people missed out on the origin release. As long as silver strike machines continue to be played and casinos continue to make a profit off of them then they'll be around for several years. It's when the casinos refuse to change designs and collectors no longer need to play that the hobby will be in jeopardy.

KINGDINOSAUR