The expression “fake it till you make it” has never been more true than at the poker table. Bluffing has become as much a part of the game as the actual cards are, and people are always looking for ways to improve their bluffing skills. If you’re looking to try your luck at the poker table soon, check out these tips on how to become an expert bluffer.
The Telltale Signs of a Tell
Before you can fix something, you have to know what you’re looking for. So before you can become a successful bluffer, you need to know what your tell is. Play a friendly game of poker with family and ask them to give you hints about what you do when you have a good or bad hand.
Know Your Bluff
Is your hand decent, but not great? Then you’re probably going to want to do a semi bluff. This is when your hand is okay, but you are confident it will get better as the hand progresses. A whole bluff on the other hand is much more difficult. If you’re dealt a horrible hand right out of the gate, you’re best bet is probably to fold. But if you decide to stay in, you better be either very skilled at the game or very skilled at bluffing.
Timing is Everything
You shouldn’t be bluffing throughout the entire game, so when is the best time to bluff? The rule of thumb is never bluff if you’re the first one up to bet. Instead, hold off on bluffing until your position to bet is later — this will let you analyze other players bets and possible bluffs.
Learn Other People’s Tell
A game of poker can last a while, so don’t jump into bluffing right away. Spend the first few hands playing your cards straight and studying other’s body language. If you play with the same friends every week you’ve probably already learned most of their tricks, so to really test your skills, try out a new group or table at a casino.
Practice, Practice Practice
Bluffing is a skill that takes time and practice to master, so before you hit any Las Vegas, $100 table minimums, have a few friends over for poker night. You’ll have a great time getting together and have a chance to perfect your new skill.
Looking to test your bluffing skills at your next poker night? Why not practice with real equipment, and professional dealers? Just call Casinos by M&M at 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST or visit our website to learn how we can help make your next gathering a night to remember.
Practice makes perfect, and the same holds true for poker. If you want to be the best, you’ve got train hard, and here’s how you can get your mind on the money.
Just do it. That’s right! The wise words of Nike can be applied to almost anything, including playing poker. Sure you might keep telling yourself you’re going to read that poker strategies book, watch that tutorial or even schedule a practice night with friends, but when? We say, start now!
Ask yourself why. Having a reason for practicing means you’ve found your source of motivation. Figure out what it is about the game that you enjoy, and why getting better at it means so much to you — and remind yourself over, and over.
Set deadlines. Is there a big poker tournament coming up that you want to feel confident enough to enter? Well, what are you waiting for? Make yourself a set schedule with goals up until that point. Read 10 pages a night, play poker one night a week — once you have a distinct path, it will be easier to stick with it.
Find a buddy. The best way to make sure you stick to it, is to have a buddy on board to help hold you accountable. Perhaps set a weekly practice night, or choose a date to discuss your findings on the latest poker strategy books you’ve read. Everything is easier when you’ve got a friend along for the ride.
How do you motivate yourself to stay sharp and up-to-speed on the latest poker training techniques? We’d love to her all about it on our Facebook page!
And remember, if you’re looking to set a personal goal, why not book a casino party so you can prep yourself to hit the poker table hard? Casinos by M&M has everything you need to throw the party of a lifetime!
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When it comes to playing cards, next to learning all the basic rules, the most important thing to master is the art of bluffing. Learning how to play a bad hand on a good bluff can be very beneficial, but committing any of the following bluffing mistakes can cost you the pot!
Letting your mood show. The first rule of bluffing is to keep a good poker face. No matter what you’re feeling about current or past hands, make sure your non-verbals don’t give anything away. Keep cool, calm and collected at all times.
Upping the ante too much. If you suddenly spring for a bigger bet, chances are your opponents will sense something’s up. If you’ve been betting conservatively all game, keep your strategy as consistent as possible going forward.
Bluffing without justification. Many novice poker players will bluff, just to bluff. After a while, opponents will catch on, making future bluffs less believable. Don’t be the little boy who cried bluff!
Ignoring the financial consequences. Think about what might happen should your bluff not go as planned. Can you afford to lose to a higher betting opponent at this time? If the answer is no, consider holding back unless you’re absolutely sure you can beat them.
Failing to bluff altogether. Don’t be afraid to employ a bluffing strategy every once in awhile. As long as you play your cards right, bluffing can be the best thing for your bankroll!
Are you ready to test your poker face against family, friends and coworkers? If so, Casinos by M&M is here to provide the authentic poker tables and casino games you need to get the party started — and keep it going all night!
To learn more about our casino party games and party planning services, visit our website or dial 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST today — and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!
Hosting a charity poker tournament is a great way to have some fun, all while helping out a great cause. Once you’ve decided which organization you’d like to raise money and awareness for, follow these four steps to get your event planning off to a good start.
Step 1: Select your venue. In this case, it might be difficult to choose a venue because you need people to sign up to participate first in order to know what to expect. On the other hand, you can’t expect people to sign up for an event when the location is still to be determined. As a safe bet, try to select a venue that can accommodate varying crowds. That way, as the event drawers closer, you can make adjustments to room size and setup as needed — hotels are usually a great option.
Step 2: Gather your supplies. You’ll need poker tables, cards, and chips for players, but you’ll also need seating for spectators. Make sure to select authentic poker equipment — just like the party supplies we offer here at Casinos by M&M! Always anticipate needing more seating and supplies rather than less. It’s a lot easier to remove tables and chairs than to put more in!
Step 3: Choose your prizes. Of course a large portion of your proceeds will go to charity, but you still need to provide some sort of a prize to entice people to participate. Consider an alluring grand prize, like a vacation package or a seat at the World Series of Poker! Make sure you have plenty of smaller prizes, like donated gift baskets or small cash prizes.
Step 4: Get the word out. Now that you’ve got the details settled, you’ll have to start promoting your event to guarantee a good turnout! There are plenty of free event listing sites on the web, and you may even be able to secure a pro bono spot in your local paper, as the event is for charity. Be sure to write a succinct press release and distribute it to you local news outlets as well.
Entertainment is key at an event like this, and as we mentioned, only an authentic poker setup will do. That’s why we encourage you to choose Casinos by M&M, and allow us to provide authentic casino excitement your guests will never forget!
To learn more about our services and casino games, click here to view our website or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter!
It has often been said that the ability to bluff, and bluff well, is what sets a good poker player apart from a great one. Well, here at Casinos by M&M, we couldn’t agree more! Learning how to pull off a bluff in a game of poker can completely change your odds and help you win the pot — but only if it’s done right!
Ready to test your skills and bluff your buddies at your next casino party or poker night? Why not up the ante a bit more with some authentic casino poker tables as well? Our tables are available in a variety of different game types and come equipped with a friendly, knowledgeable and professional dealer. What more could you ask for?
To learn more about how to reserve a poker table or any other casino game for your next get-together, visit our website or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST to speak with one of our owners. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ as well!
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!
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!
Do you love playing poker, but wish you could win a bit more than you lose? Here are a few simple tips to help you improve your poker skills and take home the pot!
Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to fold. Playing every hand isn’t always best. In fact, it’s a common misconception that the more hands you play the better your odds. This is false and in actuality, failing to fold on bad hands will actually decrease your odds and make you lose more.
Tip #2: Keep your composure. It’s easy to toss back a few too many while sitting around the table with some buddies for a poker night, or even whilst playing in a casino, but that extra beer or martini can cost you. Poker is a real “thinking game” which means your head must be clear at all times!
Tip #3: Hold the bluffs. While bluffing can be a very effective technique, it’s important to know when to bluff and when to fold. In order to successfully bluff, the situation must be perfect and you must be able to read your opponents perfectly.
Tip #4: Don’t let emotions get in the way. Playing poker when you’re mad, sad or in an overall bad mood can be detrimental to your money pile. Letting your emotions get the best of you can cause you to make bad or rash judgement calls.
Tip #5: Pay attention! Make sure you’re keeping track of the cards that have been dealt and the moves that your opponents are making. Even after you fold, it’s important to continue to pay attention in order to understand and read your opponents for upcoming hands.
Do you have any great poker advice for fellow players? We’d love to hear all about it on our Facebook page!
When it comes to playing poker practice makes perfect, so why not practice with your friends and family at a casino party or poker night thrown by Casinos by M&M? We’ve got a wide variety of poker variations with authentic tables to match.
To learn more about our available games and services, click here or call 1-800-HAVE-A-BLAST.
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!
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+!
