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Well-Known Playing Card & Poker Hand Nicknames

Tomorrow is Thesaurus Day, so we thought it was only fitting to celebrate some of the many names our favorite play cards and poker hands go by!

Playing Cards:

King: The Cowboy, the Monarch and the Sergeant are just some of the preferred synonyms for this card. The specific suits also carry their own names: the King of Clubs is Alexander, the King of Hearts is Charlemagne or Charles, and the King of Diamonds is known as Julius Caesar, or the One-Eyed King.
Queen: Card enthusiast lovingly refer to the queen as the Cowgirl, the Dame, or the Lady. The Queen of Hearts is also known as Helen of Troy, and the Queen of Spades as the Black Maria.
Jack: The Boy, the Bower, the Jackal or the Jake – all appropriate synonyms for this card!
Number Cards: The four is sometimes called the one-legged age or broken ace, while the two is largely referred to a the deuce, dewey or duck.

Poker Hands:

Pairs: Holding two aces means you have any of the following: American airlines, shake eyes, needles, or teepees. A pair of kings is called King Kong, gorillas or ace magnets. With you’ve got two queens, you’re holding the ladies, but two jacks are a pair brothers or jaybirds. Some other popular synonyms for pairs include: Nickels for fives, candy canes for sevens, and piano keys or pretzels for eights.
Ace Pairs: An ace and a ten is known as bookends, while an ace and an eight is lovingly referred to as a dead man’s hand. An ace and six is a high five, and an ace and two is called an acey-duecey.
4-of-a-Kind: Four kings is referred to as the four horseman, four queens are a bachelor’s dream and four aces are knights of the round table. If you happen to have four twos, you’ve got yourself some mighty ducks – but only three-of-a-kind and you’ve got Huey, Dewey and Louie!

What are your favorite playing card and poker hand synonyms? We’d love to hear all about them on our Facebook page!

Casinos by M&M is a casino & DJ party company serving the Tri-State New York area. We specialize in authentic casino parties and party supplies. Our charismatic, professional dealers and exciting casino action will make your next party one to remember. For more information about our services, visit our website or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST!

6 Annual Parties to Start Planning Now

It’s a new year, which means plenty of new celebrations to look forward to in 2017! We suggest you start planning nice and early, to ensure you get each of these important annual parties just right.

1. Surprise Birthdays

Nothing says “surprise” like a well-planned party! Whether it’s a milestone year or not, your guest of honor will appreciate all your effort to get them the best entertainment around.

2. Anniversaries

Celebrate your special day with family, friends and authentic casino entertainment! Your spouse took a gamble on your all those years ago, so why not take a gamble on us?

3. Sports Banquets

It’s never to early to start thinking about the end of the season. Celebrate your team’s success with a fun banquet. We don’t doubt your players and their parents will enjoy splurging with “fun money” on your authentic blackjack and poker tables.

4. Corporate Fundraisers

Don’t let those annual fundraiser sneak up on you this year. Start planning early and enlist Casinos by M&M entertainment to help you get those donations flowing!

5. School Proms

They may not be able to hit the big leagues just yet, but that’s what makes having casino games at prom so much more exciting! Up the ante at your school’s prom this year with the best DJ’s and casino entertainment around.

6. Graduations

The future is a gamble! Celebrate yours with family, friends, and Casinos by M&M! We’ll even provide custom printed “fun money” with the graduates face on it. How’s that for “movin’ on up?”

Ready to start planning the party of a lifetime? If you live on Long Island, in Manhattan, or anywhere in the tri-state area, contact Casinos by M&M at 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST to speak with one of our owners today!

Tips to Hit The Online Casinos This Holiday

The holidays are nearly upon us! If you’re one of the lucky ones receiving some much-deserved time off this coming week, we know just how you can spend it – trying your luck in an online casino! Virtual gaming sees a huge spike around the holidays, when people are jolly, joyous and relaxing on vacation. However, it’s not all fun and games! Make sure you hit the jackpot this holiday season with these important online casino tips.

Keep the merry to a minimum.

An abundance of egg nog and online casinos don’t mix – trust us! Just like in an actual casino, drinking alcohol in excess can negatively impact your betting abilities. Stick to hot cocoa and coffee to be safe.

Take advantage of holiday specials.

Season sales aren’t just available at your local shopping mall. Many online casinos offer special promotions around the holidays, so be on the lookout! You may earn some free plays and bonuses, just from logging in at the right time of year.

Try out something new.

New year, new casino games! Try your luck on a new game in 2017. You may be surprised how well you do, and how much you enjoy it.

Use your holiday earnings.

Don’t dip into your personal stash! Instead, put some of your gift money to good use and double down at an online casino. Just be sure not to spend it all in one place!

Casinos by M&M offers authentic casino party entertainment to party planners on Long Island, in Manhattan and throughout the Tri-State area. Our charismatic, professional dealers and exciting casino action will make your next party one to remember. For more information about our services, visit our website or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST!

Easy DIY Casino Party Decorations

So you’ve called up Casinos by M&M, booked your authentic poker table, roulette wheel and slot machine, but what’s a casino party without a some good decor? Immerse your guests in the Las Vegas spirit with some DIY casino decorations, brought to you by Pinterest users everywhere!

Bet On a Banner

Get your crafting on with this simple card party banner. Just grab a good piece of string or ribbon and either hot glue or staple the cards along in any order you please. Try adding bows or strings of beads in between for some extra glam.

Spruce Up Your Centerpieces

Turn a basic bowl of roses into a festive casino centerpiece, with just four playing cards. Simply place the cards inside the bowl, toss in your red and white roses and voila! For a more secure arrangement, use fake flowers and tuck a styrofoam ball into the bowl to keep the circular shape and push the cards in place on the edges.

Costume Your Cutlery

Transform a boring dishware and cutlery setting into a festive display. All you need is red napkins, black ribbon, a deck of cards and hole puncher. Just make sure you don’t curve anyone with the dreaded 7-2 hand! We wouldn’t want their dinner to pain a bad omen for gameplay afterward.

Get The Photo Booth Ready

There’s nothing quite like a photobooth to really make a great party memorable – but you don’t have to spend a ton of money on props to make it worthwhile. Instead, grab some construction paper, poster board, glitter and a few dowels and make your own casino themed props!

How will you be decorating for your big day? We’d love see all of your fantastic casino creations on our Facebook page!

5 Perfect Holiday Gifts for any Casino Buff

Check some holidays gifts off your shopping list early this season! If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the poker-loving, casino buff in your life, we’ve got you covered.

1. Custom Playing Cards – The best part about this gift idea is that you can customize it for any casino lover on your list. Best friend or significant other? Feature some of your favorite photos together. Cat-loving boss? Well, there are plenty of cat photos to go around!

2. A New Watch – It’s easy to lose track of time while hitting the tables, especially in a casino setting where time seems to always stand still. A shnazzy new watch is a great accessory for both everyday wear, as well as weekends spent hitting the Atlantic City strip.

3. Casinopoly – The Monopoly masterminds are back at it again with the latest game variation, Casinopoly! Your loved ones will enjoy all the classic fun and excitement of the original Monopoly, with some casino flair.

4. A Poker Set – Is there any better gift for a poker enthusiast than a new set of casino quality playing cards and poker chips? We didn’t think so!

5. Gambling Books – Help your loved ones brush up on strategies for their favorite casino games with some light reading. There are plenty of great how-to’s and handbooks out there to try.

What will you be getting the casino buff on your holiday shopping list this year? We’d love to hear all of your ideas on our Facebook page!

21 Things You Never Knew About Blackjack

As the most famous card game in the world, Blackjack is played in over 140 countries (yup, we’re starting with the facts right away). Even people who know the game inside and out are sure to enjoy these little known facts about it’s origin, strategies and some of Blackjacks most famous players.

The first written mention of the game was in a collection of short stories by Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote.”
Blackjack originated in French casinos around the 1700’s – but back then it was known as “Vingt-et-Un” (French for “21”).
After casinos learned players were marking cards with invisible ink (seen only with special sunglasses), discard trays were changed from clear to translucent red, hoping it would discourage cheating.
Would you believe it if we told you Blackjack may owe a lot of its popularity to the French Revolution? The game only became popular after being banned in France and the US during the French Revolution. The ban only made people more curious about the game and want to play.
The second best hand to have is 20 (while the worst hand to have is 16).
Sorry players, but the odds of getting a natural 21 are 4.8% in a single deck.
In 2001, at the Oracle Casino in Malta, a dealer broke the record for “longest time dealing Blackjack” with a time of 51 hours and 33 minutes.
The largest blackjack table is located at the Viejas Casino in California and measures 2,226 feet. Only one hand of blackjack was ever played on the table and players had to use oversized cards and chips.
The Blackjack Hall of Fame in Barona Casino, in San Diego, California offers every inductee a lifetime of complimentary rooms, food, and beverages, in exchange for the member’s agreement to never to play Blackjack on Barona’s tables.
It may seem like men dominate the casino tables, but the first professional Blackjack player in America was a woman named Eleanore Dumont (also known as Madame Moustache).
Typically, the more decks there are, the higher the house advantage becomes.
The dealer also has an advantage by going last. The dealer usually wins 48% of the time, while a player wins 44% of the time.
It takes at least 7 shuffles to fully randomize a deck.
Stay out of a player’s way if they are “steaming.” This means they’ve had bad luck at the table and are betting erratically now.
Blackjack is widely considered the most “player friendly game,” with an edge of 0.5% (with some claiming it can even be brought down to 0.4%).
Blackjack tables have small mirrors in the table that let the dealer check the hole cards.
The card dispenser is called a shoe because it resembled a woman’s high heeled shoe when it was first invented.
The first Continuous Shuffling Machine (CSM) launched in 2000. It was known as ‘The King’ device and became widely used as casino bosses tried to repel card counters.
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of blackjack’s biggest fans, playing the game regularly after being exiled in Elba.
Edward Thorp (also known as the Father of Card Counting) wrote Beat the Dealer, a book detailing the mathematical aspects of the game.
Card counting gained mainstream popularity after the movie “21,” and while the technique is not technically illegal, British casinos have the right to refuse to let you play if they catch you counting cards.

These facts may not exactly make you better at the game itself, but they’re sure to make a great conversation starter the next time you’re at the tables.

5 Ways to Make Your Office Holiday Party Memorable

Since when did so many people get the “bah humbug” spirit when it comes to their company’s holiday party? Sure employees are busy this time of year and everyone has heard the stories of parties running out of food or someone enjoying the open bar a little too much – but the reality is, holiday parties are a great way to boost office moral and mingle with coworkers you normally don’t run into between 9 and 5. If you’re planning a corporate holiday party this year, here are just a few ways to make sure your party is a hit!

Theme: When was the last time you got to dress like you were going to a masquerade ball or Christmas in July party? The point of a holiday party is to break away from the normal work day environment, so get creative. If you’re on the fence about a theme, send out a questionnaire to your employees or ask them to vote on their favorite theme.

Superlatives: Have employees anonymously send in superlatives or “most likely to” awards for each other. Employees might be praised throughout the year for their work accomplishments, but this is the chance to get a little more creative. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it and hand out the “most likely to oversleep,” “best hair,” and “office clown” awards.

Food & Drinks: Everyone’s diet is different, so try to make sure you get plenty of diverse food that will accommodate people who are gluten free, vegetarian, lactose intolerant, etc. And when it comes to the bar, no matter how you chose to celebrate, just make sure everyone knows what to expect so they can plan accordingly. Make sure employees know if it will be a cash bar, if it’s just beer and wine or if it is fully open.

Games: After greetings have ended and everyone has found their seat and settled in, there can be a bit of a lull (because let’s face it – no one wants to be the first one on the dance floor). Keep guests entertained from the moment they walk in with games or raffles.

Give a Gift: Say your final thank you for a year well done with a personalized gift from the company. Whether it’s something practical, like an external battery or something a little more relaxed like personalized wine glasses, employees are sure to love the gesture.

“The way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers.” — Richard Branson

Your employees work hard all year, so take this night to really show them how much you appreciate their contributions to the company.

Casinos by M&M is a casino & DJ party company serving the Tri-State New York area. We specialize in authentic casino parties and party supplies. Our charismatic, professional dealers and exciting casino action will make your next office party one to remember. For more information about our services, visit our website or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST!

Thanksgiving Party Activities For The Whole Family

In our opinion, Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year. Why? Because it’s all about being thankful for each other and spending times with the ones you love. And that we say, calls for a ton of fun and celebration! Here are a few easy party activities to get the family together while you wait for the turkey to roast next Thursday.

Walk up an appetite.

Take a casual stroll around the block, or through your local park. Enjoy the autumn scenery and burn some calories before sitting down to devour a delicious Thanksgiving meal.

Get competitive.

A friendly game of family flag football perhaps? Or some soccer, tag, hide-and-seek, kickball.. The weather is perfect and the opportunities are endless!

Bust out the board games.

Who doesn’t appreciate a good old fashioned game of scrabble, or trying to finally beat grandma in Monopoly? Board games a great way to pass the time while waiting for the timer on the bird to pop, and with so many options there’s bound to be a game to suit everyone.

Get crafty!

If you’ve got small children, perhaps drawing hand turkeys or writing Thanksgiving poems can keep their brains bubbling and their tiny hands busy. There’s nothing like crafting with family to complete a holiday.

Play some cards.

A-ha! Our favorite pastime for all occasions — card games. Whether you’re a family full of poker card sharks, or you just fancy a simple game of Go Fish, cards are easy and versatile enough to provide fun for the whole family.

How will you and your family be celebrating together this Thanksgiving? We’d love to see some photos of your family’s feast on our Facebook page!

Make Your Office Holiday Party Memorable

‘Tis the season for office holiday parties, and with December around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning yours! End of the year holiday events help boost company morale, bring employees together, and allow everyone let loose after a long year of hard work and have some fun. That being said, here are some tips and tricks to help you create an office holiday party your employees and clients will never forget.

Set A Theme

You have many options when it comes to choosing a theme – masquerade, casino night, or “ugly sweater parties,” to name a few. Try to incorporate the theme throughout the night as much as possible – from the decorations to the games. You can even ask people to dress up – employees love a chance to drop their business attire and let their creative side show!

Send Invitations

Instead of telling the employees about the party through word of mouth, send out an invitation. Whether it be an e-invite or a personalized letter in the mail – people love to be invited, personally!

Set Up Food And Drinks

Want to make everyone happy? Make sure to provide them with a variety of the best food and drinks all night long. Large amount of vegan/vegetarians? Have a table for the meat-free entrees. Half of the company hates seafood? Sliders are a sure shot way to make everyone happy.

Hire A Photographer

Go one step beyond your iPhone photos and hire a professional. Update your blog and website with pictures from the night. Clients enjoy seeing the real people behind the employees and the company. This also allows everyone to enjoy their night without worrying if their blurry phone photos will make the cut for the company blog. Bonus Tip: Create a hashtag for the party so everyone, including present and future clients, can look back on your fun night with ease.

Give Out Awards/Superlatives

No matter the size of the company, a holiday party is the perfect time to recognize employees and their achievements. Think outside of the box – keep some of the awards serious but also fun! Some options include, “Best Dressed,” “Most likely to…” or “It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere.” This can bring the employees together in a more casual and personal way.

Looking to bring a casino night theme to your holiday office party this year? Allow Casinos by M&M to assist you! We allow your guests to experience all the authenticity of a real live casino, without ever setting foot on a plane. For more information about our casino party offerings, call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST today.

10 Fun Casino Facts You Probably Never Heard

The casino and gaming world is rich with fun facts and cultural history. So rich in fact, that we’re positive even the most devoted gaming aficionado might not be able to name all ten of the fun facts we have listed out below:

Fact #1: The word casino is derived from an Italian word, meaning “small villa,” or “summerhouse,“ built purely for enjoyment. Later in the 19th century the meaning shifted to include public entertainment spaces, which is how it eventually became associated with the gaming world.

Fact #2: Those flashing lights on top of the slot machine are actually called candles — only these kind you don’t want to blow out. Instead, you hope they light right up!

Fact #3: The popular phrase “jackpot,” originated as a form of poker. In this variation, the pot continued to grow until a player could open the bidding with a pair of jacks or better.

Fact #4: Slot machine enthusiasts in Australia call their beloved machines “pokies!

Fact #5: Money raised from gambling and lotteries has been used to fund many public building projects, including construction of The Great Wall of China.

Fact #6: On that note, it is said that former President Richard Nixon used funds from bets he won playing cars in the South Pacific during WWII to fund his congressional election campaign.

Fact #7: It’s true that Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the U.S., but Macau is the gambling capital of the world, with bets bringing in $45.2 billion in revenue in 2016.

Fact #8: The first slot machines didn’t always pay winners in cash. In fact, the bar owners who housed these machines was at liberty to award prizes however he/she saw fit, most often in the form of free beer or cigars.

Fact #9: FedEx creator Fred Smith used the last of his company funds to take to the blackjack tables in Las Vegas. His hope was to win enough to pull his business out of debt, which he certainly did!

Fact #10: The Super Big Bertha is the largest slot machine in the world, at over 8 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide. It’s eight spinning reels make the odds of hitting a mere 1 in 25.6 billion!

If you’re planning an event to celebrate the holiday season, contact Casinos by M&M to learn about our casino and party entertainment options! For more information dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST or visit us online.

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