The power goes out for a few seconds..

At a casino??

Of course there would be. People would go for the money and chips, no cameras, no way to catch them, heck yeah there would be..

Well, when the power went out, I doubt any of the unsuspecting public and anyone not in on the action wouldn't know HOW long the power would be out. Could have been a few seconds, could have been a few hours, etc. In a casino with that much money and chips lying around, well, yes - makes sense to grab for a few chips/coin, etc. From what I saw, the melee didn't start until after 3-4 seconds of the power outage - by then the gamblers and public figured it wasn't just a flash of the lights like what is common with thunderstorms where the lights and electrical stuff (TVs, etc.)flicker off and right back on. By Basher's own admission, the power outage would have lasted about 30 seconds - in a casino with 1000s of dollars lying around within easy reach??? With no lights and no power to run the cameras and all the security surveillance equipment, they would have felt pretty incognito in makintg some moves. And, the waitress likely got knocked down by movement, not to snarf a coctail or hit the tip jar (containing chips); ie., doubt anyone tackled her with direct intent.

Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. How strong are you?

I was in a small casino at an all-inclusive in Panama (of all places). Power went out 2-3x times one night, 30 seconds at a time random. Ppl just laughed.

A lot of society norms are a little bit superficial - any disturbance to them and the disorder present under the surface might make itself felt. The Simpsons has occasionally played with the idea - average street scene, then a power cut and people are fighting each other, robbing banks etc.

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."