Today, poker chips are a staple of casinos and gambling worldwide, but this was not always the case. In fact, these valuable tokens were not even a thought until the 1880s.
Way back when, in the nineteenth century, poker players would wager small tokens of value in place of modern day poker chips. These included tiny nuggets of gold and even gold dust. While wagering personal property and gold as currency was the norm back then, the need for a standardized betting solution was definitely evident.
In reaction to this desperate need, casino and saloon owners began handing out their own standardized substitutes, including pieces of ivory, bone, and clay. However, as you can imagine these were very easy to replicate and many early gamers caught onto this quickly. This prompted owners to begin customizing their betting tokens with personalized symbols.
And so, the idea for a standardized poker chip was born! In the 1880s entrepreneurs began to realize the potential capital gain that would come from mass producing a standard poker chip, and so they set out creating them from clay composition — just like the poker chips we know today.
The invention of the poker chip changed the way the game of poker was played and revolutionized the gaming industry as a whole. These days, casinos owners and poker chips manufacturers are better equipped to handle and catch counterfeiters. Each chip has it’s own unique weight, texture and feel. Some are even manufactured with microchips or serial numbers for added protection.
Here at Casinos by M&M, we take our poker chips seriously, using only the most authentic chips for our wide variety of poker game options. If you’re looking for a genuine, real-life casino experience, we’ve got you covered no matter the occasion!
To learn more about the services and poker games we can provide, click here to view our website or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter!
In today’s day and age free time is hard to come by, so when you do have a chance to get together with friends and family it’s important that everything is perfect! Afterall, if you’re going to make memories, you might as well do it right. If you’re looking to plan a fun gathering in the future, here are a few tips to help make your planning process easier and your party memorable.
Give ample notice. What’s a party without your guests? Once you solidify a date, make sure to send out invites as soon as possible. Ideally, your guests should receive their invitations at least three weeks in advance so they have time to pencil your party in!
Make a plan. The best party is an organized party, and what better way to make sure you hit all the necessary elements than with a to-do list? Write out everything you need to accomplish for your party, and set deadlines so you don’t forget.
Get some finger foods. Unless you’re hosting a large event at a catering hall, forgo the fancy dinner and opt for something more simple. A variety of appetizers and finger foods will usually do the trick. Not only are they easy to make, but they allow your guests to get their party on without the interruption of a sit-down dinner.
Choose a theme. Pick something unique and fun for everyone — like a casino party! Make sure to really play up the theme in all aspects of your party planning, from food choices and decor, to recommended party attire. The more involved you can get your guests the better!
Plan plenty of activities. All memorable parties have at least one thing in common — exciting entertainment! No one wants to go to a party where people are sitting around in silence. Having a wide variety of activities — or in our opinion, casino games — is a sure-fire way to get everyone involved, excited and having fun.
If you’re looking for the perfect entertainment for your party or friendly gathering, we suggest you give Casinos by M&M a call. With a wide variety of casino games, top-notch DJs, professional performers and more, you’re bound to find the perfect entertainment to make this your party a genuine hit!
To learn more about our entertainment options, click here to visit us on the web or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST today! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter!
What’s better than a poker night with your closest friends and family? Throwing your own poker party is an exciting and affordable way to bring the gang together for a night of fun for all. However, in order for things to run smoothly there are a few party planning tips you’ll need to know.
So, now that you’ve got the basics down do you think you’re ready to start planning your own poker night? If so, Casinos by M&M offers a wide variety of poker game variations with professional dealers and authentic casino-grade tables to match!
To learn more about the services and poker games we can provide, click here to view our website or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter for the latest in gaming tips and trends!
Playing poker has become such a staple in the entertainment industry that it’s even made its way onto the big screen! Not only has the game been featured or mentioned in many movies, but there have been several films specifically centered around the poker and casino culture as a whole. With the holidays approaching, you may have some time to kick back, relax and revisit some of your favorite Netflix classics.
If you need help choosing a flick, look no further! We’ve searched high and low to bring you the top 5 poker movies of all time, and here they are:
5. The Grand – Get ready to laugh until it hurts with this 2007 improvisational comedy. Watch as some of your favorite comedic figures interact with some of the pros and in a completely unscripted poker tournament at the Golden Nugget.
4. The Cincinnati Kid – Everyone loves a good underdog story, and this 1965 classic certainly delivers. Watch as an up-and-coming poker player goes up against a well-established professional. Can you guess how the tables will turn?
3. Maverick – This comedic western brings the talent of Mel Gibson, the grace of Jodie Foster and the 1950s television show which shares its name to life on the big screen. Watch as these established con artists try to trick their way through the poker system.
2. Rounders – Mike McDermott, played by Matt Damon, was a reformed and recovering gambler — but not for long! When he finds his long time friend caught up in a whirlwind of debt and loan shark dues his only option is to return to the high stakes poker tables!
1. Casino Royale – Who doesn’t enjoy a good old fashioned James Bond flick? We sure do, especially when it involves high stakes poker and deadly weapons. Talk about action!
Has all this poker talk and poker movie watching got you in the mood to have a poker party of your own? If so, Casinos by M&M is here to help, providing only the most authentic tables and most knowledgeable dealers in the industry.
To learn how we can make your next poker night or casino party a success, click here to visit us on the web or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST to speak with one of our owners directly today!
While you may be familiar with traditional Blackjack, referred to by many avid players as simply “Twenty-One,” did you know that there are actually several different ways to play the game? Each variation takes it’s own spin on the original, swaying the odds in different directions and increasing the excitement of Blackjack in its own way. Here are 4 of the most commonly played Blackjack variations for you to become familiar with before your casino party.
Blackjack Switch: This type of Blackjack is more like an addition rather than a variation. All of the traditional rules of Blackjack apply, but an additional side-bet is made as well. Each player can bet on his or her individual hand, winning if their hand contains either a pair, 3 of a kind or 4 of a kind.
Face-Up 21: As its name denotes, this Blackjack variation requires the dealer to play with his or her cards face-up. Since players can now see exactly what they’re up against they are able to make a more well informed decision about whether to hit or stay, giving them an advantage.
Spanish 21: When you play this type of poker, you’ll never be playing with a full deck — and we’re not just talking about your wild betting antics! In Spanish 21 you play with a 48 card deck instead of the standard 52. The 10’s are removed which reduces the opportunity for a player to hit 21, increasing the odds in the house’s favor.
Pontoon: Created by the British, Pontoon is a simpler, more family-friendly version of traditional Blackjack. While the goal of hitting 21 is still the same, the rules have been simplified a bit to make playing at home more easily accessible.
No matter which way you choose to play, Casinos by M&M has the perfect authentic Blackjack tables to liven up the party and bring your guests to their feet in excitement. In addition to Blackjack, we offer a wide assortment of other casinos classics that all come equipped with professional and friendly dealers!
For more information, visit our website or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST, and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!
Are you planning to hit the casino over the long holiday weekend? If so, we’re sure you’ll want to know which games to bet big on and which to skip altogether. Here are a few of casino games that we found to have the best odds, and those that have historically had the worst.
Now that you know which casino games to gamble on and which to leave alone, how about trying your luck at your own casino party before hitting the big leagues? At Casinos by M&M we offer a wide variety of casino games with authentic casino-grade tables to match!
To learn more about the services and games we can provide, click here to view our website or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter for the latest in gaming tips and trends!
You may have heard that slot machines have the worst odds out of any game in the casino and it’s usually true. Winning big on a slot machine will take a lot more time, effort and money than it can take to get lucky in roulette, yet slot machines are still one of the most played casino games across the board.
While this myth might have been true, there are many others that deserve debunking when it comes to slots. Here are some of the most common:
Myth: Casinos program their slot machines to go through a specific cycle of plays versus payouts, and their payout amount is limited by a programmed percentage of bets taken.
Fact: Negative! Each spin is completely randomized and independent of the spins before and after it. It doesn’t matter if someone just hit the jackpot, the odds are always the same on every spin.
Myth: You have a better chance of a higher payout if you don’t insert your player card.
Fact: Much like the programmable payout myth, this is also a fallacy. The machine will not take into account whether a card has been inserted, and these two mechanisms actually function completely independent of one another.
Myth: It is possible for casinos to tighten the odds of a specific gaming machine with just the push of a button.
Fact: While this can be true for some machine, there are regulations in place to make sure that alterations are not made on the spot. Some rules require a specific amount of idle time before a machine can be remotely tightened. However, most machines still require alterations to be made manually.
Myth: Slot machines are looser during the week and on off-days, but harder to win on during high traffic times like weekends and holidays.
Fact: While it’s possible to do, it would take a ton of time and effort to keep altering the odds on each machine weekly or even seasonally. Plus, they want you to win! Winning means you’ll come back and try your luck again.
Now that some of the most common slot machine myths have been debunked, are you ready to press your luck? Casinos by M&M can bring the slots to you for your next party or gathering!
To learn more about our wide variety of slot machines and casinos games, call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST or visit our website, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!
P
laying cards are a staple in the gaming world across the board. From gambling in casinos, to a night shuffling the deck with family and friends, cards are an international icon of fun! If you’re interested in learning how this simple, yet genius bit of pocket-sized entertainment was created, read on:
The origins of playing cards.
Though the French are credited with bringing playing cards to the forefront of entertainment and game play, the earliest known deck of cards actually originated in in Central Asia during the 10th century. Chinese gamers translated the already famous dominoes into paper form, and began shuffling and dealing them to create new and exciting games. By 1370, four suited decks with court cards had been created, and were discovered and imported by the Europeans.
Playing cards become affordable.
Early decks were handpainted, making their price point extremely high – a luxury that only the wealthy, upper class could afford. However, the 14th century brought the invention of woodcuts, a system where images and lettering could be carved into a block of wood that was then used over and over like a modern day stamp. This sped up the production process and brought the purchase point down considerably, allowing middle class folks to get a taste of the action.
The French take on playing cards.
The original decks designed by the French most closely parallel our modern day cards. France was the first to adopt the 4-suit deck of spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts that we’re all familiar with. They simplified the card designs in order to streamline mass-production, which was booming and exporting to England and the Americas in no time.
Americans produced their own playing cards.
Working off of the initial design and style that the French so fittingly laid out, Americans began reconfiguring playing cards and making them their own. Advancements like doubled-headed court cards, glazed protective surfaces and rounded corners were quickly introduced and adopted. In 1870 the joker card was born as a direct influence of the game “Euchre.”
Today playing cards come in all different shapes and sizes, but their basics remain the same: Fifty-two cards, four suits, nine court cards, and a bonus joker!
At Casinos by M&M we pay homage to playing cards by using only the finest, regulation casino playing card decks. In fact, all of our casino party supplies – from chips and dice, to gaming tables – are 100% authentic!
To learn about the casino games and party planning support we can provide, call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST, and don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
The game of poker is strategic in more ways than one. Not only is your knowledge and skill of the game important, but your personal character and body language can make or break a hand. With so many different strategy types to mix, mold and adopt, it’s no wonder that no two poker players ever play the game exactly alike. There are however, four main style categories that most players can be generalized into.
The tight-passive player, commonly referred to as “the rock,” is only looking to play premium hands – aces, kings, queens, and the like. He’ll rarely take a chance on lower hands and doesn’t make a habit of betting or raising. If a rock is raising you, they’ve definitely got a good hand up their sleeve.
The loose-passive player, also known as “the calling station,” is big on calling, but shy on raising. No matter their hand, they’ll usually take the risk and play on most starting hands, but they rarely up the ante. This style is adopted by many beginners who haven’t quite developed a full understanding of the game, or are yet to hone their skills.
The tight-aggressive player, or the “TAG,” is selective with the hands that he or she plays, but often bets or raises. This strategies helps to simplify the game, eliminating losses from poor starting hands. However, the TAG is usually easily readable and easy to anticipate.
The loose-aggressive player, called the “LAG,” plays many hands and is known to bet or raise frequently. This strategy is highly risky, but when used effectively, as demonstrated by some poker professionals, it can produce large payouts. Typically, adopting a LAG playing style is characteristic of more seasoned, experienced players.
Do you, or any of your poker playing buddies fit these categories perfectly? We’d love to hear all about it on our Facebook page!
At Casinos by M&M we welcome all types of poker players and have a wide variety of available game play variations with table styles to match! Whether you want a traditional, octagon style table, or a good-old hold’em table, we’ve got authentic casino-grade poker tables for any occasion. But that’s not all! Our professional and friendly dealers are trained to provide you and your guests with step by step instruction, so you can all play with pride.
To learn more about our services and how you can book a poker table for your next party, dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!
Did you know that casinos are filled with thousands of security cameras? You may have, but we bet you didn’t know that some older casinos didn’t have eyes on all of their tables until as recent as 20 years ago. Today, every modern casino has a large team of surveillance staff members whose sole job is to keep an eye out for foul play across the many camera feeds.
Are you itching to know more? Here are 5 more things you likely didn’t know about casinos until right now:
At Casinos by M&M we promise that there are no eyes in the sky, you can play as much as you like, and everybody wins! Bring the magic of casino gambling to your very own home with our authentic, casino-grade gaming tables and slot machines.
For a full list of our products and services, visit our website here or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST …And don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter for the latest in gaming tips and trends!
