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!
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!
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!
Table Etiquette: According to gamblers, the way you play makes all the difference when it comes to getting lucky and winning big.
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!
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If you’ve ever sat around a poker table, or watched the World Series of Poker on television, you may have heard people talking about “upping the ante,” but what does that actually mean? Well, the ante is the small bet that players are required to make before game play begins. As the game goes on and players bet more money, the pot grows and the ante is therefore “upped.” Today, this phrase is used both inside and outside the casino to signify when someone is pushing the envelope or making risky decisions.
Here are a few more poker terms that you should familiarize yourself with before you take a seat at a table in the big leagues:
THE BURN CARD refers to the top card that the dealer discards before each betting round begins. In the event that there was some sort of distinguishing mark on the top card there might be an unfair advantage for some players. The burn card covers the top card as a precaution.
DRAWING DEAD means that though you’re continuing to draw while playing a draw poker game, you know that there are no cards left in the deck that can make you a winning hand.
THE FLOP refers to the first three community cards that are dealt after the initial betting round is over.
A FLUSH indicates a poker hand that is made of five cards of the same suit. These cards do not have to be in any numerical order.
A FULL HOUSE means that your hand is made of of any three-of-a-kind combination and an additional pair.
A KICKER is the card that essentially acts as a tiebreaker in the event that the final two players have matching hands. For example, if both players have a flush, the player with the highest card making up their flush wins the hand.
POCKET CARDS refer to the cards that are unique to each player. These are specific to the player that is dealt them, in contrast to the community cards, which are dealt out by the dealer for all players to make a hand from.
THE RIVER indicates the very last card that the dealer draws. It is the final of the five community cards.
THE TURN indicates the fourth community card that is dealt, right before the river. It is dealt face-up and is also known to some poker players as “Fourth Street.”
Interested in learning more popular poker terms? Click here!
At Casinos by M&M we offer all types of poker 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+!
The origins of roulette date back to the 17th century, when French inventor Blaise Pascal created the first roulette wheel. Pascal had been studying probabilities and invented the wheel as an accident, looking to create a perpetual motion machine. The roulette wheel quickly became a popular gambling staple in Paris and before you know it, it made it’s way over to the United States. Since it’s creation, the roulette wheel has undergone several reconstructions, mainly to improve the house odds. Here’s a quick look at the game setup, rules, and what it takes to win:
The Table: A roulette table has a wheel at one end and a numbered chart in the center of the other. The chart has three columns of twelve, numbered from 1-36 and pictured on a red or black background. There are also two boxes above the “1, 2 and 3” for 0 and 00. These make up the possible “inside bets.” To the side and bottom of the numbered boxes there are boxes for “outside bets,” which will be explained later on.
The Wheel: A standard roulette wheel has 38 numbered slots picturing numbers 1-36, 0 and 00. The background color of each number – red or black – will match what is shown on the table grid. The dealer spins the wheel in one direction and a small plastic ball the opposite direction. Whichever number/color combination the ball stops on is what hits for that round.
The Objective: In order to win in roulette you must bet on a space on the table that corresponds with the number that has hit. Depending on how you bet, you may win on exact number, color, even or odd, or a combination of all three.
The Rules: When making a bet you must place the amount of chips you’d like to wager on your desired inside or outside bet. There are a ton of ways to bet on a roulette table, but here’s a quick breakdown of the two basic types:
The best part of this game is that it’s completely up to chance, which makes it perfect for players of all experience-levels!
At Casinos by M&M, we offer authentic roulette and friendly dealers to provide step by step instruction on various better options. To learn more about booking a roulette table for your next party or fundraiser, call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST.
Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter!
Playing poker is a staple American pastime and a favorite among casino-goers worldwide. But, did you know that there is more than one way to play the world famous game? In fact there are a ton of different poker games built off of three distinct variations: Draw games, stud games and community card games.
Draw Poker: Draw poker allows players to trade-in some of the cards that they’re dealt (usually up to 3) for better ones, with the ultimate goal of improving their hand. This is one of the only card games that is most commonly played with the joker, but it can be played without as well. Though this is one of the most popular variations to teach beginners, you’d be hard-pressed to find draw games in most casinos.
Stud Poker: In this poker variation, players are dealt either five or seven card to start. The difference here is that they must use these cards alone to play their best hand. The hand is dealt with a combination of face-up and face-down cards, so the hidden cards or hole cards, can be a real game-changer for unsuspecting opponents! 5-Card Stud and 7-Card Stud are two the most popular stud poker games played.
Community Card: This is the most popular type of poker game, where players are dealt hole-cards that are uniquely theirs to use in tandem with a set of community cards that are playable by everyone on the table. Though the community cards are visible to all, each person’s hole-cards are secret, which enhances the excitement and suspense of the unknown. The most common community card game is Texas Hold’Em, which is said to be the most popular poker game with players overall.
At Casinos by M&M we offer all types of poker 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 Casinos by M&M and how you can book a poker table for your next party, dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST.
Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!
Planning and executing a successful fundraiser takes a lot of hard work and dedication. From event planning and promotion, to setup and problem solving on the day of the event, there’s a ton to keep track of! To make sure that you get everything just right, here are a few quick tips to follow to ensure that your next fundraiser is a hit:
1. Make your theme matter. Choose a theme that ties into your organization’s cause and relates to your audience. If your theme and efforts are mismatched, they will not come across as sincere and will not be well-recieved by your prospective donors. Once you’ve settled on a theme, don’t forget to give your fundraiser a nifty tagline! One great way to incorporate a casino party theme into any fundraiser is by encouraging your guests to “bet on” your cause.
2. Set creative, attainable goals. Some of the most successful fundraisers are structured with multiple mini-goals, leading up to one ultimate goal. This makes goals seem more attainable for your guests, making them more willing to donate. You can break your goal dollar amount into categorized sections or publicize specific rewards as certain points are reached. For example, you might tell your guests that although your goal is $10,000, when you reach $5,000 the company will personally donate X amount of money, or do something for the cause. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
3. Have great prizes and multiple ways to win. The driving factor for most fundraisers is the return on investment. Sure, your guests will receive the satisfaction of helping out a great cause, but walking away with something tangible is always a plus too! A casino fundraiser is a great way to keep the donations flowing all night. Giving your guests something to work towards personally, like the opportunity to win more fun money to purchase prizes or raffle tickets with, gives them incentive to keep the bets going in order to walk away with a great prize.
Whether you’re organizing a fundraiser for your school, church or organization, Casinos by M&M can help! We have years of experience helping many organizations plan exciting and successful fundraisers that combine corporate sponsorships with donated prizes. To learn more about why you should choose Casinos by M&M for your next fundraiser, dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST today!
Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter as well.
When we try our luck out at the casino the object of the game is to win of course, but how exactly do you beat the house when they have the best odds? It’s no secret that when you gamble you’ll usually lose more than you win, but maybe there’s a way to offset those odds a bit. Here are a few great tips to help you beat the dealer and take home the pot!
Say “when”, when you’re winning. Based on the laws of mathematics, statistics show that though the odds may be in your favor for a period of time, inevitably the tables will turn and the house will win. As the saying goes, quit while you’re ahead! This will ensure that you’ll keep your winnings safe and sound in your pockets, where they belong.
Don’t be afraid to bet big. Though many people shy away from tables and head to the slots, slot machines can actually empty your pockets faster with little-to-no return on investment. Low bet machines, like those that accept penny and nickel bets, have the odds cranked up higher in the casino’s favor. Playing tables gives you the best odds, but if you’re stuck on slots shoot for machines with a higher minimum bet so you have a better chance of hitting.
Defy the laws of attraction. Casinos draw you into the games and machines that they want you to play by upping the ante with loud noises and colorful flashing lights. Even on table games, the most reckless bets are drawn in vibrant colors, like “the Field” and “Any 7” on the craps table. As a general rule, be weary of anything that’s distinctively “calling your name” in the casino.
Always wear a watch. It’s easy to get sucked into another dimension while in a casino, where time stands still and it’s never time for bed. That’s exactly what casino owners want to happen, which is why you’d be hard-pressed to find a clock in any direction that you look. Don’t let yourself lose track of time, betting and losing into the wee hours of the morning. Instead, treat yourself to a flashy new timepiece with your winnings!
Do you have any great tips on how to beat the house? Feel free to share them in the comments below, or connect with us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter!
Casinos by M&M provides an authentic casino experience, equipped with entertaining dealers and personalized fun money to get the bets going. To learn about our product offerings and to speak with someone about booking a casino party, visit us on the web or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST.
