Most of us have already celebrated the beginning of 2012, but the end of this month marks the beginning of Chinese New Year. The Chinese culture celebrates each New Year according to the lunar calendar which is why the date fluctuates from year to year. January 23 marks the beginning of the celebration for the auspicious Year of the Dragon.

The Dragon is the most powerful of all 12 signs in the Chinese Zodiac, which associates an animal to each calendar year. Everyone born in 2012 will be considered a Dragon. Dragons are said to be dominant, ambitious, driven, willing to take risks and unafraid of challenges. These strong character traits are said to cause an increase in births for every Dragon Year. Dragons are also said to be charismatic leaders. In the year 2000 the birth rate in China spiked and is expected to do the same this year.

Each Dragon Year is also associated with one of the five elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth). 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. Water Dragons are able to see things from other points of view. They don't have the need to always be right. Their decisions, if well-researched, are usually better since they allow others to become involved.

To kick-off the two week celebration a traditional Dragon Dance will be held on Monday, January 23 at 6pm to bring good luck and fortune for our guests. A 63 foot-long dragon will feature adult and baby lion dancers, buddhas, musicians and festive flags and will make its way through our entire casino.

Studio B Buffet will feature eight hard-to-resist New Year specialties. Until February 6 you can feast on Meatballs with Bok Choy, Poached Chicken with Ginger and Scallions, Spinach and Bamboo Shoots, Beef Lo Mein, Tofu and Eggplant with Black Bean Sauce, Lettuce Wraps, Mandarin Oranges with Leaves and Spring Rolls. Our bars will also be serving up specialty cocktails, a Lychee Martini and a Mulan cocktail.

Starting this Friday our limited edition Year of the Dragon gaming chip will be available. Keep the good luck coming and purchase the chip at our casino cage for $8. The chips will be available until supplies last.

You can use your commemorative Dragon Chip in our Poker Room for their Live Poker Lucky 8's promotion. From January 23 – 30 enjoy 8 days of great poker action. Flop four 8's and win $888. Make four 8's and receive $88. Plus, the first 88 players that make 8's full receive a collectible Year of the Dragon Gaming Chip. Play live poker every day at 8:08am and 8:08pm and a random lucky player will receive $88!

If you've celebrated Chinese New Year before or if this is your first time for the occasion we hope you take part in the festivities at our resort!

29 January 1903 - 15 February 1904

14 February 1915 - 2 February 1916

2 February 1927 - 22 January 1928

19 February 1939 - 7 February 1940

6 February 1951 - 26 January 1952

25 January 1963 - 12 February 1964

11 February 1975 - 30 January 1976

29 January 1987 - 16 February 1988

16 February 1999 - 4 February 2000

3 February 2011 - 22 January 2012

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. They are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. People born in the Year of the Rabbit seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Now about that celebrating. As one of the only locals casinos celebrating the Chinese New Year, we're inviting locals and tourists alike to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some with festive d?cor including tangerine trees, welcome banners, lanterns and 8 selections of Asian favorites like Satsuma, spring rolls, Beef Lo Mein and more at our award-winning Studio B Buffet beginning February 3.

In addition a Year of the Rabbit collectible chip is available for purchase at the casino cage for $8 while supplies last. The poker room will offer special promotions including flop four 8s and win $888, make four 8s and receive $88 and the first 88 players that make 8s receive a collectible Year of the Rabbit Gaming Chip. Plus, play live poker every day from 8:08 am to 8:08 pm and a random lucky player will receive $88.

On Friday, February 11, M will host a traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance performed by the Lohan School of Shaolin. The dance will include a 30-person assembly with a 63-foot dragon including adult and baby lion dancers, Buddhas, musicians and festive flags. It will begin in the lobby to chase away evil spirits, continue through the casino floor, past the High Limit Salon, buffet, poker room and table games and end back at the lobby.