While poker tournaments typically guarantee a large amount of money to the winner, the HPO World Premiere Championship Tournament, which will take place in our poker room June 28-30, is one of the highest payout poker tournaments in the country with a $500,000 guarantee!

Qualifying is taking place all around the country at our Penn National Gaming sister properties and this weekend are the qualifying rounds at our resort. If you’re interested, you can get more details and still sign up. The first tournament is tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 25 at 2 pm.

With all this happening, it got us thinking about poker players, specifically the players who have routines, rituals or superstitions. You’ve all seen them. These are the players who refuse to change their socks, wear the same hat or t-shirt every day throughout a tournament or bring a lucky token to use as their card protector. Some play in the same poker rooms or always play at the same time. We’re sure we’ll spot some of these players tomorrow and through the weekend.

So, do you have a routine, ritual or superstition when you play poker or when you gamble at the slots or tables? We’d love to them. Just leave us a comment below.

We’re sweetening the pot from now until July 15 with drawings every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Earn your way into drawings with poker play. Each game played earns you a drawing ticket ranging in value from $100-$500 and drawings take place every two hours until 5pm and every hour until 11pm.

White Tickets – $100

White Tickets can be earned by playing in white chip games, including 2-4 and 4-8 Texas Hold’em and Omaha. They are also given to all players that buy into any daily tournament and those that push into each live game (without a missed blind button). If your white ticket is drawn while playing a live game, you’ll earn an additional $75 and a $25 “splash pot”. White tickets are discarded if the winner is not present.

Red Tickets – $300

Red tickets are earned by participating in red chip games, 1-2 No-Limit and 6-12 Texas Hold’em. Eight daily tournament entries in one week will also earn you a red ticket as well as winning a Progressive High Hand Jackpot. If your red ticket is drawn while playing a live game, you’ll earn an additional $250 and a $50 “splash pot”. Red tickets are returned to the drawing drum if the winner is not present.

Blue Tickets – $500

The highest value, blue tickets are earned with every five hours of live play and by entering into fifteen daily tournaments in one week. If your blue ticket is drawn while playing a live game, you’ll earn an additional $400 and a $100 “splash pot”. Blue tickets are returned to the drawing drum if the winner is not present.

Every Sunday is your final chance to win the week’s leftover cash. A ticket will be drawn for all unclaimed money for the duration of the week with 70% going to the ticket holder and 30% to a “splash pot”. After the drawing, all tickets other than blue will be removed from the drum for the next week’s drawings. Visit the Poker Room for additional information and complete rules. Good luck at the tables!

At M Resort, we love placing bets and chances are good that you do too. Eighty percent of tourists who visit our city gamble for over two hours a day*; that's a whole lot of gaming going on! Regardless of which form of gambling you prefer; people just can't seem to get enough. We're thinking it might have a little something to do with the thrill that comes along with betting (big or small) and the chance of coming out ahead.

With all the different games and ways to bet your money, what are your "best bets" to come out in the green? Some bets are better than others and we have found a few different tips to try out on your next trip to our casino.

• Strategize

Sticking to blackjack's basic rules of strategy can lower the house edge. Basing your decisions on whether to hit, split or stand on these rules will not only help improve your skills, but it can also help increase your winnings in the long run.

• Bank on It

The banker bet in baccarat has a smaller house edge than the player bet. This specific bet does require you to pay a commission when you win, but the house edge is only 1.06 percent.

• Poker Face

Poker is a game of strategy and it's the only game in a casino where you're not playing against the house. Players compete against each other and skill is a big factor in who ends up winning. There's virtually no house edge in this game (except for the small amount the casino takes from each pot).

• Even Out on Craps

Placing the six or eight, while playing craps, is one of the best bets in the game. The house edge is 1.52 percent and the six and eight are rolled more frequently than any number, other than seven.

*According to the 2010 Las Vegas Visitor Profile Study from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Blackjack - The Thinker

If the blackjack table is always your first stop in a casino, chances are you're in it for more than just luck. Knowing basic strategy for blackjack increases a player's chance of winning. When a player acts on a hunch, they can end up giving up that big advantage which is where strategizing and thinking comes into play.

Poker - The Introvert

Poker has become one of the most popular games in every casino; players can usually be seen sitting at tables for hours on end with headphones in their ears or sunglasses on. It's the only game where players are competing against each other and not the house, which can lead to the introverted action in the poker rooms.

Video Poker - The Insightful

Winning at certain table games and slots all depend on luck but video poker is a game of skill. Video poker machine usually have a high payback rate when you play perfect basic strategy. Knowing the strategy (similar to knowing the basics in blackjack) increases your odds. Keeping a close eye on the moves you make in each hand is vital for a video poker player.

Progressive Slots - The Risk Taker

Gambling any large amount of money can deem you a risk taker, but those who opt for the progressive slots are in it for the thrill. Progressive slots offer jackpots larger than usual (think in the hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions). But, to be eligible for the larger-than-life jackpots you have to play the max bet during your spins. Playing the max bet can add up but if you hit the jackpot it will certainly pay off.

Craps - The Extrovert

Odds are when you're walking by a craps table you'll hear whooping and hollering and see the players giving high-fives and other lively gestures. The craps tables are usually the center of attention on a casino floor and tend to attract the most animated of players. This fast-paced game intimidates some, but is a favorite to many.

Of course, not all poker players are introverts and not every progressive slots players is a big risk-takers. These personality traits are a generalization of the average player for each game. Let us know which game of choice you are. Do you think the traits above are similar to your personality? Share your thoughts with us below!

Get ready for an explosive weekend at our resort! We know the M is your go-to place when you want to get the party started (Happy Hour 24/7 anyone?) and we won't let you down this weekend. Think red, white, blue and an all-American day at our backyard pool!

Help us celebrate America's birthday by spending the day (or whole weekend) at our pool. From Friday, July 1 - Monday, July 4 all our pools will offer complimentary entry to everyone (yes, everyone!) Join the festivities at our main pool, which boasts over 10,000 square feet of water ready for you to dive into. For a more intimate (and still free) Fourth of July experience come to our adult pool, DayDream Pool Club Saturday-Monday.

It looks like it's going to be a hot one this weekend so take advantage of our great drink deals on our pool deck. You can order a bottle of vodka for just $65! We know you like to go first-class all the way so you'll probably want to enjoy your bottle in style on one of our daybeds or inside a VIP cabana (complete with your own private Jacuzzi pool.) For your daybed or cabana reservation needs call 702.797.1808 or email cabanarequest@theMresort.com.

If you're more of a card shark our Poker Room is having special promotions all day long. There are four ways for you to win on the Fourth! Get a Straight Flush (that includes a 4) and win $1,444, Four 4's will get you $444 with a room wide Flop-It Bonus, a Flush with all 4's is worth $144 and the games will receive $44 Splash Pots every 44 minutes!

Spending all the time by the pool or at the poker tables will give anyone an appetite. But, if you stick around at M you're in luck. Studio B Buffet will offer its signature Seafood Brunch/Dinner throughout the whole weekend. You know what that means, all the shrimp, oysters and crab legs you can stomach for four days straight (in honor of July Fourth of course.)

There's more to this holiday weekend than just partying. Our four-star rated Spa Mio is offering those with a valid military ID, two 50-minute services for the price of one! Sounds to us like the perfect way to wind down from a holiday weekend.

And in case you were curious, this year is America's 235^th birthday.

Get ready to practice your best poker face as we bring you the faces of our Poker Room here at M. Melissa is our Poker Hostess with the most-est and you can see her smiling face whenever you check-in or sign-up for any tournaments at our Poker Room. Sam is our dealer extraordinaire. Both poker team members hail from New York and have found their new home at our resort.

Sam - M Poker Dealer

What's your most memorable Poker Room moment?

Just today! I came in to work and the Poker Room was packed. There was a waiting list to get in on the games and you could just feel the excitement from all the players. Things like that are part of what I love about my job!

Food you can't live without?

Chinese food, I have to have rice every day.

Song you play the most on your iPod?

I mostly listen to Chinese music. My favorite song title translates to, "Always Think of You."

Do you play poker?

Yes, occasionally. But, when I'm not playing poker I like to play craps. Those are my two favorite casino games.

How did you become a dealer?

I moved out to Las Vegas from New York where I was a computer programmer to focus on my poker game. Now as a dealer I get to be around poker every day, it's great!

Melissa - Brush Hostess

Where did you work before M?

Prior to joining the M Team I worked for Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture MMA Fight Gym. It's the job that brought me out to Las Vegas. After that I began working for the M at their sports book and shortly moved over to the poker room. It couldn't be a better fit, I love greeting all the different poker players we get here and I love just working at the M in general!

Food you can't live without?

Grilled Chicken! It's the only thing I'll eat at lunch; the chef always makes sure I get some.

Song you play the most on your iPod?

Anything Rascal Flatts.

Do you play poker?

No, but I love being able to see all the action in the poker room.

What's the biggest winning hand you've seen?

Someone won a progressive beat of $10,000 just the other day!

You can see Sam and Melissa in person at our Poker Room, so grab a seat at one of the 14 tables we have and show us your best hand.

The 14-table room is warm and inviting, offering a level of comfort that you won't find most places. Whether you're in for a few quick hands or an extended stay for one of the many tournaments, it's nice to know you won't go home with an aching back. And what holds true in real estate applies to poker rooms too - location, location, location. The room has easy access being located right next to the parking garage entrance and the restrooms are just steps away. Hungry? Thirsty? Vig Deli delivers classic deli fare to hungry players and 32 Degrees pours a frosty selection of 96 beers on tap. In fact one reason some of our regular players choose M Resort is that they can enjoy one of the city's best beer selections. Let's not forget about the game too. We know, you need to concentrate on the hand…well, at hand. But if you're dying to know the score or want to place a quick bet, the race & sports book is right next door.

How about those tournaments? Not to mention all the promotions. There's never a shortage of either in M's poker room. Mini beats, progressive high-hand jackpots, four-of-a-kind bonuses and great guaranteed prize pool daily tournaments. In fact in December, we're offering the $100,000 M Beat with the biggest guaranteed player share in Vegas. Wonder why the slot players are always the ones to get all the free stuff? We've got gift days for our poker players too.

The reality is though, there's something that really makes the poker room here at M Resort special and different - our team members. We've got the best dealers, managers, front desk staff and cocktail servers. You'll hear players welcomed by name and you'll see plenty of smiles from team members and guests alike. So get your cards on the table here at M - if poker is your game, we've got the room that treats you right.

First let's get him ready for his big day so take him down to Spa Mio. He may resist at first, but you can assure him spas are for guys too. Get him the "Mio Man Time Package" - a 50-minute Therapeutic Massage and a Haircut or Master Shave for just $140 (a $50 savings). Or how about the "Dad's Day Out" package - a 50-minute Relaxation Massage and a For Him Facial for just $185 (a $70 savings). Maybe the "Mr. Big Package" - a Master Shave or Haircut and Manicure and Pedicure for dad for just $125 (a $15 savings). Believe us, if he's never had a master shave it's going to make his day!

He's bound to be hungry now so head over to Baby Cakes where you can get dad a delicious cup of coffee (or he can even indulge in that mocha-frappa-latte-whipped-cream-thingy we know he loves but he'll never admit to) and a fresh-made pastry. Italian donut anyone?

Now it's time for a little fun in the Vegas sun. Rent dad a cabana or daybed where he can relax poolside with a fresh summer cocktail or ice cold beer. There's cool blue waters and spectacular scenery for him to enjoy while he works hard at being lazy.

Hungry again!? It's time to settle down and indulge in the best buffet in Las Vegas - Studio B. Beer and wine are included in the price and when it comes to eats, he'll find more choices than he can imagine - delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts that won't quit! The whole family can go back for more…and more…and more.

We know dad has given you money a TON of times, so maybe you should slip him a twenty and take him to his favorite game. Is he a blackjack man? Poker? Maybe he likes to hit the slots? Give him the chance to win it big on his big day.

Let's face it, most dads like beer, sports and TV. Just off the casino floor he'll find his dream trifecta in 32 Degrees Draft Bar. With 96 beers on tap there's something he's sure to like while he watches all the games on a slew of TVs. He can even pop over to the Race & Sports book to make a bet. If he'd rather stay where he's at, we've got mobile gaming and betting for him!

It's time for dad's special Father's Day meal and there's no better place than Terzetto. It's home to hand-selected prime cuts of beef, including a reserve list from the Marnell family ranch in Montana. Dine on the terrace and watch the sun set with a spectacular view of the Strip and valley.

Remember that dads need the best when it comes to rest and relaxation this Father's Day and you'll find the best here at M Resort. And don't forget to tell him you love him and thank him for all he does!

M Resort's

One reason, or person we should say, responsible for making poker at M the great experience it is, would be Jasmine Freeman. With a ready smile, a bright personality and dealer skills to match, she's an important part of a team that's managed to create a significant following of regular players.

Originally from Georgia and mother of two, Jasmine has been in Vegas for three years, transferring here while in a previous career where reports and paperwork were the daily grind. Jasmine first got involved in poker as a player, visiting various rooms at different properties all over the city. When asked what it's like being a woman playing poker in a game that's predominantly played by men she says, "I'm viewed as being pretty passive and as a tight player. It can work to my advantage early in the game because when I do make a bet, other players assume I have a great hand and fold."

She was told while playing that she might have the skills and personality to make a good dealer. The idea seemed crazy at first, but she's now been at it for two years and has definitely made her mark here at M. She originally came to work at M because of the location since she's a Green Valley resident, but says the property has a lot of other things to offer: "I definitely prefer working at a local's property. We have a consistent group of players that come in almost every day and I really enjoy getting to know them and forming relationships. It's also just a beautiful property."

When it comes to the room itself, convenience is key: "It's convenient for players and that's important. The room is very close to an entrance and parking. There's also a restroom nearby as well as food. There's not a long wait and it's a friendly place to play. We offer great promotions too, which keep players coming back. It's also not smoky which isn't true of a lot of rooms. People ask me sometimes how I can stand to work somewhere it's smoky all the time. It's not!"

Jasmine brings a lot to the table as a dealer that you probably won't find many other places: personality, a true love of what she's doing and interaction with customers. When asked what she brings to the table as a player she quickly responded: "A donation of chips?" After we finished laughing she went on to say for the most part she just plays to have fun and enjoy the game rather than going out to make money. She loves that poker is a communal game and that players and dealer get to interact with each other.

And what is it she loves about her job? The people she gets to work with. Jasmine tells us the M Resort poker team is full of great people who work well together and make each other's lives easier. They have fun and get a lot of support from management, which she says is definitely a rarity in the business.

Something you may not know about Jasmine? She's an avid rock climber. She was also M Resort's employee of the year. We hope you'll stop by and see her as well as all the other great team members who make M's poker room the place to play.