#TipTuesday! – The Do’s and Don’ts of Casino Etiquette

While going to the casino is all about having fun, winning money and making memories, it’s important to be careful not to take photos with friends near gambling areas. While it may be tempting to snap a shot of your best friend’s face when he or she hits it big, flash photography is severely frowned upon in casinos and can even get you kicked out of the establishment. This is due to the strict security measures that are taken to ensure that gambling patrons are not cheating.

If you’re headed to the casino soon, here are a few more etiquette do’s and don’ts that you’ll need to be aware of:

• Don’t hand your money directly to the dealer. They are not allowed to take money straight out of your hands for security reasons.
• Do place your bet on the table in front of you so the dealer can count it on the table for the security cameras before they pick it up.
• Don’t hold your cards with two hands and don’t remove them from the table. This rule helps prevent players from any unfair slides of the hand.
• Do hold your cards in one hand in plain sight and leave any face down deals right on the table so the dealer can be sure you’re not cheating.
• Don’t touch your chips or try to change your bet once the cards have been dealt. The dealer will call “all bets,” signalling your last chance to place a wager.
• Do make sure to bet before the dealer calls. This ensures that you cannot cheat and change your bet if the odds begin to show in your favor.
• Don’t say your decision out loud, but do signal it instead. Just like the money on the table rule, the casino’s security cameras need to be able to view and review your decision to stay, fold, hit, raise, etc., in case of discrepancies.
• Do remember to tip your dealers, as they usually work on a minimum wage salary and make most of their money on tips. While tipping after every hand isn’t necessary, tipping after a big win or after a few wins in a row is greatly appreciated.
• Do feel comfortable asking a dealer for help or their opinion. Like we stated above, dealers work for tips, and without winners those tips don’t exist! A great dealer roots for the players and is usually happy to give their professional opinion if you’re unsure.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, we think you’re ready to test your skills at your own casino party with Casinos by M&M before hitting the big leagues!

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!

What is the Blackjack Hall of Fame?

While there are a wide variety of well-known sports commemoration sites, many people are not aware that the card gaming industry has a special hall to celebrate its greats as well. In fact, the Blackjack Hall of Fame is the only shrine in the gaming industry that pays tribute to some of the most skilled and successful blackjack professionals of all time.

In 2002, the Barona Casino in San Diego agreed to be the site of celebration for blackjack players worldwide. Convinced by Max Rubin, a highly regarded blackjack player and professional commentator, the Barona Casino agreed to house a blackjack museum. The museum’s purpose was to commemorate the history of blackjack, complete with a wide assortment of blackjack paraphernalia, gaming memorabilia and the world’s largest collection of antique devices from various different gaming eras.

In addition to the newly created museum, the casino agreed to hang photos of the members of the future Blackjack Hall of Fame, promising free rooms, food and drinks to all inductees. The catch however, was that while hall-of-famers were welcome to stay at the Barona Casino free of charge, they were asked to never play on any of the casino tables during their visit.

Once the museum had been established and the stipulations were agreed upon, 21 of the most notable blackjack players, authors, and experts in the industry were nominated for induction. Of those, the public voted 7 to the top, establishing the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2002. Beginning in 2006, each year one new member is inducted into the hall at the discretion of the current hall-of-famers.

Are you one of the next blackjack greats? Book a blackjack table for your next gathering and try your luck with Casinos by M&M! We offer a wide assortment slot machines and casinos games that come equipped with professional, friendly dealers.

Visit our website or dial 1-800-358-9467 to learn more, and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

The 10 Poker Hands You Need to Know

One of the most difficult things to grasp as a new or novice poker player is that the opportunities to win and the winning hand combinations are seemingly endless. With so many rules and an overabundance of cards, every single hand is completely different than the last. Luckily, while the actual card ranks can vary, there are only ten basic poker hands that can be made:

1. Royal Flush – If you’re holding an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 suited, you’re in luck! A royal flush is the best poker hand you can have, taking it’s “royal” name from the court cards that make up its majority.

2. Straight Flush – A step down from it’s royal superior, a straight flush includes any five cards, suited and in sequential order.

3. Four of a Kind – As its name suggests, this hand is made up of four cards of the same kind, one of each suit, and a fifth “kicker” card. Should two players have the same four of a kind, the player with the higher kicker wins the hand.

4. Full House – A mixture of three of a kind and a pair make up a full house. For example, having three aces and two kings would be considered “aces full of kings,” and is the highest full house hand possible.

5. Flush – Any five cards suited makes a flush, but while all five cards must share the same suit, they do not have to be in consecutive order. The highest card in the hand determines the flush’s rank.

6. Straight – The complete opposite of a flush, a straight must be consecutive but does not have to be suited. Again, the highest card in the straight determines the strength of the hand.

7. Three of a Kind – Similar to the higher ranking four of a kind hand, three of a kind consists of three cards of the same rank unsuited and any two others. The additional two cards do not have to be of equal rank or suit, but the higher they are the better.

8. Two Pair – If you’ve got two kings, two queens and a jack, that’s an example of a two pair. As long as you have two pairs of cards, each with matching rank, you’ve made the hand. The highest pair you’re holding will determine the strength of the hand.

9. One Pair – Just under the two pair is the one pair, consisting of only one pair of cards with matching rank and three additional cards. While this is usually not the winning hand, the higher the pair, the better!

10. High Card – When all else fails and your hand doesn’t fit any of the above requirements you’ve got a high card hand. If it comes down to it, the person with the highest ranking card wins the pot.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, 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 poker game variations with 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!

Interesting Facts About Playing Cards

Whether or not you’re an avid card player, chances are you’ve shuffled the deck at least once or twice in your lifetime. After all, playing cards is one of the most common American pastimes of all time! While you might know the basics – 52 cards, 4 suits, 1 joker – here are some interesting facts that you may not have heard about playing cards yet:

Fact #1: The United States Playing Card Company (USPC) is the number one producer of playing cards worldwide. Located in Cincinnati Ohio, USPC has been pumping out playing cards since 1867, producing more than 100 million decks each year.

Fact #2: The origins of playing cards dates back to the Orient in the 12th century when the Chinese decided to reinvent the game of dominoes with heavy cardstock.

Fact #3: The diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs that we know today originated as coins, cups, swords, and sticks, respectively, in the Middle East.

Fact #4: When the first French deck of cards came to be, each face card (king, queen, jack) represented specific historical figures. For example, the King of Hearts represented Charlemagne, diamonds was Julius Caesar, clubs was Alexander the Great, and the spades was King David from the Holy Bible.

Fact #5: Traditionally the Ace of Spades in every deck of cards is unique from the rest of the other aces. The distinction originated when the French decided to put a tax stamp on this card specifically to increase their profits from selling playing cards.

Fact #6: Since the Ace of Spades was the only card in the deck that carried a tax, many people tried to dodge the extra expense by buying a deck without that particular card. This is where the common phrase “he/she is not playing with a full deck” originated.

Fact #7: The tallest playing card tower was built in 1992 by Bryan Berg, earning him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Can you believe that there’s so much history behind such a simple game? 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.

When to Throw a Casino Party

So, you want to throw a casino party, but you’re not sure if the time is right. Lucily, casino parties are a great option for almost any occasion. If you’re planning an important milestone or fundraiser in the future, here are some of the best ways to incorporate some casino fun.

1. Birthday Party – Feeling lucky this year? Forget the cheesy birthday decorations and tired old ice cream cake routine and throw a casino birthday party that your friends and family will love. Whether you want to keep it simple with a poker table or two, or go all out with a large selection of games and slot machines, choosing to add some casino flair is sure-fire a birthday hit for all ages.

2. Bachelorette or Bachelor Party – Every bride and groom-to-be dreams of spending a wild weekend in Las Vegas for their last hurrah, but unfortunately not everyone can afford the time and money it costs to do so. That’s where we come in! A casino party can bring all of the authenticity and excitement of Las Vegas to your very own living room or preferred local venue.

3. Retirement Party – Wish your co-workers the best of luck in their retirement, starting with a lucky poker hand at a casino party. Office luncheons and dinners are a dime-a-dozen, but casino retirement parties provide excitement, laughter and memories to last a lifetime.

4. Fundraiser – We can’t think of a better way to keep your guests donating all night long! With a casino party fundraiser, your event will be a win-win: You can hit and hopefully exceed your fundraising goals, while your guest press their luck for a chance at winning great prizes for a good cause.

5. Wedding – When it comes to planning a memorable wedding, the number one factor is entertainment. Surprise your guests with a unique casino vibe, equipped with slot machines, blackjack, roulette and more! You can even personalize your fun-money to match the occasion.

At Casinos by M&M we have casino games to suit each and every one of your guests, and our experienced dealers are trained to provide step-by-step instruction for those willing to challenge themselves and try something new.

To learn more about the services and casino 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!

The History of Playing Cards

Playing 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 4 Basic Types of Poker Players

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+!

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Casinos

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:

1. Research has shown that casinos actually lose money on 25% of their guests. In addition to the high overhead costs of keeping the casino and staff up and running, think about the casino goers that play very little or those that win big. These are all factors that keep the house from truly winning, but the largest group that weighs down the profits are those players that play just enough to receive free perks, like complimentary rooms or meals.
2. There may be complimentary perks that are more easily attainable than you think. The next time you head out to a casino inquire about their rewards and players programs. Sometimes simply signing up, or signing up a friend will get you complimentary players cash, a meal or even a night’s stay!
3. The casino can actually ban you from playing specific games if you win too much. Though this might seem unfair, know that the odds of being this lucky are slim to none. The majority of players who are barred from certain games are categorized as advantage players – card counters, trackers, etc. – so as long as you don’t cheat, you’re in the clear!
4. If you feel that you’ve been shorted or cheated at any time while playing on the casino floor you can always call gaming control or the local gaming regulatory agency to investigate the issue. Every casino understands that sometimes errors are made, and they are open to reviewing any guest complaints that are made with care and courtesy.
5. If you win big on a jackpot but don’t want to carry around all of that cash, just ask for a check! Most times if you ask the supervisor before you’re paid out they should be able to accommodate your request, and might even be able to split your winnings between cash and check if that is more convenient.

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!

How to Plan a Casino Party With Us

If you’re looking to throw a one-of-a kind party, with tons of exciting and unique entertainment that your friends and family will be talking about for years to come, a casino party is just the thing! From corporate events and fundraisers, to birthday and retirement parties, bringing a little Las Vegas action to the celebration is suitable for all occasions. So, are you ready to start planning your epic casino party? If so, here are the steps that you need to take:

1. Assemble a Planning Committee
From the guest list and hors d’oeuvres, to the game types and prize assortment, there are plenty of decisions to be made. Having a party planning team on hand can help you streamline your decisions and take some of the stress out of the planning process.

2. Contact Casinos by M&M
Once you’ve chosen a date for your event, give us a call at 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST. We’ll get back to you right way and set a date to meet with you and your committee to plan out all of the details for your casino party. Remember, when you work with us you’ll be dealing directly with one of our owners, so you can rest assured that no detail will be forgotten.

3. Choose a Party Theme
While yes, the theme of every casino party is centered around casinos, and gambling, feel free to add your own twist. For example, you might want to tell your guests to join you for a night out on the town in Hollywood, and request that they dress up as their favorite celebrity. Or maybe you want to go less elaborate, and make it a luau casino party, with grass skirts and mini umbrellas for drinks. The possibilities are endless!

When you book with us, you get the peace of mind of knowing that your party needs are our first priority. We’re in the business of providing happiness and excitement for events of all types. To learn more about how Casinos by M&M can help you plan the party of a lifetime, click here to visit our website.

Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter for more tips!

Common Gambling Superstitions

A recent study revealed that a whopping 80% of gamblers believe casino superstitions to be true and/or have their own good luck ritual or charm. From playing lucky numbers, to carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot, crossing your fingers or wearing your lucky socks, there are tons of ways to exercise superstition on the casino floor. Here are a few of the most commonly practiced casino superstitions and rituals associated with either number, table etiquette or color.

Numbers & Colors: Playing the right number is the name of the game when it comes to gambling, and the color can help too!

• Unlucky Number 13 – Going anywhere near the number 13 is as unlucky as superstitions come. Not only is it frowned upon to play 13, but gamblers are so superstitious about it’s destructive powers that hotels on the Las Vegas strip were constructed with no 13th floor.
• The $50 Bill – As legend has it, years ago mobsters would stuff a $50 bill into the jacket pockets of their victims before burying them, giving the bank note a bad aura. Today, casinos generally do not even carry $50 bills, since many gamblers refuse to accept them.
• Prosperous Number 8 – According to Chinese culture, the number eight is lucky since it’s Chinese pronunciation is very similar to the pronunciation for the Chinese word prosperity.
• Deadly Number 4 – Along the same lines, the number 4 is considered unlucky since it’s Chinese pronunciation sounds very much like the Chinese word for death.
• Wearing Red – Chinese superstitions say that the color red is good luck, which is why many big time Chinese gamblers wear red underwear for added playing power.

Table Etiquette: According to gamblers, the way you play makes all the difference when it comes to getting lucky and winning big.

• Counting – Keep your money in your pocket when you’re seated at a table. Counting your winnings during gameplay is distasteful and brings bad luck.
• Sit Straight & Silent – Gamblers believe that crossing your legs during gameplay will “cross out your good luck,” while annoyances like whistling and singing are punished by the gambling gods.
• Lady Luck – When playing a dice game, let a lovely lady blow on your dice before you roll for instant good luck.
  Hands to Yourself – Touching the arm or shoulder of any player while they’re playing brings bad luck.

No matter what superstitions your believe to be true, if it works for you we support it!

At Casinos by M&M we’re committed to providing an authentic casino feel, superstitions and all! Our friendly dealers are here to help, offering step by step instruction for whatever games you choose. To learn more about how to book a casino party, call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST. We promise to dust each table with a bit of luck before they arrive!

Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.