Casino Party Planners

The Basics of Texas Holdem

noreply@blogger.com (Casino Party Planners) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:22:00 +0000

Whether you are attending a Casino Theme Party or planning a trip to Vegas, learning the basics of casino games will make the experience more enjoyable! I recently found a great instructional video on Texas Holdem that I wanted to share with you all. It visually explains the progression of the game and the rules involved. Check it out for yourself! Video: 'How to Play Texas Holdem'

Blackjack Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Casino Party Planners) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:40:00 +0000

Blackjack is the most popular casino game in the United States. More players choose blackjack then craps, roulette, and baccarat combined. There are two reasons for this. First, blackjack is easy to learn. And second, it is impossible to master. Once players attempt blackjack, there is a continuing urge to win! Whether playing at a strict Vegas Casino or at a laid back Home Casino Party, learning the terminology and rules of the game is important. The basics go a long way in helping you strategize and make the best decision on how to play your hand. So, let’s get started! Table: Blackjack is usually played around a half moon shaped table. There are up to 7 players that sit on the outer portion of the curve, and a dealer that stands in the inner part of the curve. The table has a circle or square shaded area in front of each player. This is where the players place their chips for their bet. Slight variations in rules are found from casino to casino and from table to table. These are posted to one side of the table along with the minimum and maximum bets allowed. Cards: Blackjack is played with one or more standard 52 card decks. Most casinos today use at 4, 6, or 8 decks. This helps prevent the risk of possible card counters among the players. The cards are shuffled by the dealer or a machine. Once shuffled the cards are distributed by the dealer or a tray like box called a shoe. In a dealer dealt game players cards are placed face down. In a shoe dealt game, the cards are dealt face up. In both situations, the dealer’s cards are dealt with one card face up and one card face down. Cards 2 through 10 are taken at face value with no regards to their suit. Jack, Queens, and Kings are each worth 10 and aces can be used as 1 or 11. Objective: The plain and simple objective is to beat the dealer. This is accomplished by having a hand of cards higher than the dealer’s hand, without going over 21. Play of Game: The game begins with players placing their bet. They do so by putting chips in the shaded betting area in front of them. Once bets are placed, two cards are dealt to each player and then the dealer. Judging from the face up card of the dealer and the cards that you have, you decide on your next step. Your options are to stand, hit, split, double down, insurance, or surrender (not available in all casinos).

Stand means to not take any additional cards. Most casinos do not allow verbal responses because they will not be picked up by their cameras. To signal stand to the dealer, you pass your hand over your card palm down.
Hit means to want an additional card from the dealer. To signal hit, you tap the table or scratch the table toward yourself.
Split can be done when your first two cards dealt are the same value (Example is a pair of 4’s). Choosing this option splits the cards into two separate hands. You will then get dealt a second card for each hand and play them out separately. You signal a split by putting an additional bet, equal to your original bet, in the shaded bet area and moving your cards apart from each other.
Double Down is increasing your original bet by the same amount (doubling it) and receiving just one more card. Doubling Down is done by adding the bet to the shaded area but not separating your cards like in a split.
Insurance can be played when the dealers face up card is an Ace. You can place an insurance bet that the dealer will have a 10 value card face down to complete a natural blackjack. The bet can only be taken for half of your original bet. The effect is if you lose your hand, you could still win the insurance bet and break even.
Surrender is forfeiting your cards after seeing both of your cards and the face up card for the dealer. This gives you half of your bet back. But, again, this is not an option in many casinos.

The game continues on until you or the dealer busts (goes over 21) or you choose to stand. If the dealer busts before you, you win. If you bust before the dealer, you lose. If no one busts, the person (dealer or you) with the highest value after standing wins. Bets: A natural Blackjack (21 with just your first two cards) is typically paid at 3-2. This means if you bet $2, you will win $3 (plus get back the $2 you bet). Some Casinos are offering 6-5, which will not get you as much winnings. If you beat the dealer but do not have a natural blackjack, you will win the amount of your original bet. If you bust, you forfeit your entire bet and if you surrender, you will receive half of your bet. Getting Started: An easy way to practice Blackjack is to play online or with friends and family first. Try hosting a Casino Themed Party for you and your friends to get familiarized with the game. Companies like Casino Party Planners have official tables, cards, and chips as well as experienced dealers to teach you the rules. This will make you more comfortable and ready to take on the stricter blackjack tables at the Vegas Casinos!

Roll The Dice At Home This New Years

noreply@blogger.com (Casino Party Planners) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:03:00 +0000

With New Years Eve right around the corner, many excited partiers are rolling the dice on a crazy casino adventure like they have seen in the movies. Over 300,000 people will brave the Las Vegas strip to join “America’s Party.” Others will hit the Atlantic City boardwalk as every casino in Trump Town will be hosting their own shindig. But seasoned vets of New Years know these movie moments are best left on the screen. Like any rookie gambler, New Years partiers often bet big on a night that should be a sure thing. Hoping to squeeze a years worth of partying into one night, these novice night owls get too drunk too fast, crowding casino tables and clubs, annoying everyone around them and effectively ruining a good time. In Atlantic City, the problem may be of another variety as tourists won’t be the only thing blanketing the boardwalk this year. Massive snowstorms slammed the Northeast this weekend, dumping nearly 2 feet of cold, white winter on AC. Roads and walkways should be clear by the big day but the weather is not set to get any warmer. Trudging from casino to casino in freezing weather with icy winds whipping off the ocean may not be the dream New Year you had in mind. For a real sure thing, nothing beats your casino New Years. Let Casino Party Planners help you throw your own casino night to rival anything these tourist traps have to offer. With the most popular games and enough “funny money” to keep you partying well past midnight, your guests will never forget your casino theme party. We can provide games, party favors, theme ideas and instructions to make this the most memorable New Years ever. Don’t roll the dice this New Years, let CasinoPartyPlanners.com help you ring in 2010 in style.

Plan a Home Casino Party

noreply@blogger.com (Casino Party Planners) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Any reason is a good one to share time with friends and family members, yet it is also good to supply entertainment for them. 'Theme' parties may seem something for younger people, but this is not at all true. Halloween-costume parties and holiday parties center around a theme, so why not throw a casino night party? It is fun, exciting, and involves some healthy competition. Poker parties have become more popular since televised depictions of celebrity and professional games. Poker parties are a lot of fun, yet some people enjoy emulating other casino games as well. A casino theme party invites the chance to enjoy the excitement of many games traditional casinos offer. Think about renting craps tables, poker tables, roulette tables, and blackjack tables. Traditional casino games are not your only options for a casino party. Just as casinos have broadened their spectrum of offered entertainment through the years, your casino party can also offer an array of games for party goers to choose from. You can rent pool tables, foosball tables, electronic dartboards, and slot machines. Those are just a few, supplementary casino night options. Casino parties are not just for adults. Kids can enjoy the simulation of traditional casino games, or enjoy the excitement of arcade-related games. Casino Party Planners presents the option of customizing your casino event to the age and preference of your attendees.