Darren Webster: 2012 General and Administrative Team Member of the Year

It has been said that Darren Webster’s value is immeasurable. Having started as a Field Officer for our Security team, he is now a Security Lead. He has been recognized several times within his own department and can often be seen staying late and coming in early when there aren’t enough officers to cover. He understands that the safety of our guests is number one, and continues to work hard to achieve his goals.

Gina Espinosa: 2012 Hotel Team Member of the Year

Gina Espinosa can be seen in the hallways of our hotel as a member of the M’s Housekeeping team. She keeps our hotel rooms clean and looking fabulous every day so our guests are able to enjoy themselves as soon as they arrive. She is meticulous in her work and an amazing and supportive team member. She is truly a joy to work with and our guests think so too, having received numerous commendations throughout her time at the M.

Dean Elliot: 2012 Gaming Team Member of the Year

Dean Elliot is a team player. He likes his work and loves his guests. He has set a tremendous example for other Table Games team members by working with all levels of management in both his own department and other departments. He is helpful to all team members and is constantly offering new ideas to improve the guest experience and the efficiency of his team.

Ralph Cua: 2012 Food & Beverage Team Member of the Year

It is always an honor to recognize those team members that fully understand that there really is no “I” in “TEAM.” Ralph Cua is that person. He is friendly, helpful, respectful, and gives 110% all the time to his team and its success. He’s as special to our guests as he is to us, having been mentioned many times in guest commendations over his two years at the M.

If you recognize any of these team members, share a time when they made your stay incredible.

M Resort dealers learn the ins and outs of High Card Flush.

It’s not every day that we introduce a new table game to our casino floor. After all, there’s a lot that goes into bringing a new game to the floor. Beyond the gaming approvals, our table games team carefully reviews the mix of games we offer and determines what games will be the best fit for our floor and mainly for you, our guests. Once those details are finalized, we do a lot of work behind-the-scenes from all our marketing to support the new game to educating and training our dealers on the game.

So, when we say that we’re excited to bring you High Card Flush, we mean it. Today is the first day the game is available on our casino floor. It’s located on the west side of the casino, near Marinelli’s. The best thing about the game….it’s fast-paced and easy to play! You don’t need to be a poker player or even have poker knowledge to play.

Instead, as the name suggests, the objective of the game is to get as many cards within the same suit. You can bet up to three times your wager and up to two side wagers with two pay tables from which to choose.

If we’ve piqued your interest (which hopefully we have!), or if you’re just looking for a different game to try, bet High Card Flush.

Double Action Roulette™ is changing the way roulette is played. One spin on the double wheel delivers two winning numbers, offering twice the action of its traditional counterpart. As far as appearance is concerned, it looks very similar to a roulette wheel, but has an additional spinning wheel on the outer edge, which turns the opposite direction of the main ring. The table has two identical betting areas, one for each of the two sets of numbers on the wheels. There is also a special side bet that pays out 1200–1 when the two winning numbers are the same.

The game itself was developed and patented by one of our own Team Members, Richar Fitoussi, Vice President of International Marketing at M Resort. Richar came up with the concept for Double Action Roulette™ back in 1993 when he was a roulette dealer. “I would often deal to high rollers that always wanted to play two wheels at the same time. They were jumping back and forth between roulette tables. I saw the need for a game that would cater to their desire to play two games at once,” Fitoussi shared.

It’s no easy process to turn a gaming concept into a reality. Fitoussi tried for many years to get Double Action Roulette™ onto the casino floor. “First, I worked on many different designs. When I had it just right, I brought it to the gaming convention here in Las Vegas. There was a lot of interest, but it took about four years to get Double Action Roulette™ patented. There was a lot of trial and error to find the right company to manufacture and represent the game, but luckily I had the opportunity to meet Roger Hawkins, the CEO at TCSJOHNHUXLEY. He really put a lot of effort and interest in getting the game on the market.”

After the game was manufactured, the next step was placing it in a casino. “I came to Anthony Marnell III here at the M. He was incredibly supportive and offered me the opportunity to premier Double Action Roulette™ at M Resort. I look forward to seeing the success of the game at M and in Las Vegas!”

Double Action Roulette™ is Richar’s first foray into the gaming design realm. Other than his own creation, his personal favorite game to play is traditional roulette.

We invite you to test out our newest addition at the table games pit, exclusively at M!

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!

Dice themselves tend to represent luck, after all, hitting it big at the table can be just one roll away (lucky seven anyone?) So what goes in to making sure our dice are up to par? It starts with ordering top of the line dice for our tables. Gamblers can be a superstitious bunch so the actual die itself is serious business. The dice in our casino come from a few different manufacturers; Bee, Paul-Son and Bud Jones which are all leaders in the dice industry.

Our dice come in a medium red hue with clear polish and a true sand finish, the polish is what makes them glimmer on our felt tables and the finish is what makes them smooth and ready to roll. And of course, no pair of dice is complete without our signature M logo on the side. If you really love our dice (we know we do) you can take your very own pair home with you from our Vice Shop.

Aside from looking pretty, our dice are pretty high tech for cubes made out of cellulose acetate (yup, that's the actual stuff dice is made from). The cellulose acetate material is specially formulated to provide each die with hardness, clarity and dimensional stability; all things that are essential for dice being used in a casino. You know that M logo we mentioned earlier, dice makers have to make sure the logo's surface is perfectly smooth to ensure proper balance and weight distribution for an ideal roll. Dice are also equipped with their own security features including glow spots, laserlocks, hidden keys and serial numbers. Who knew those little cubes could have so much on them?

Strict gaming regulations require dice used in casinos to be within 3/10,000^th of an inch of a perfect cube. That leaves almost no room for variation in a die's size, so that pair you have in your hand is virtually indistinguishable to the one at the next table over. Chances are, that set of dice you’re about to roll are pretty new, on average dice only remain in circulation on a casino floor for about eight hours on a busy day.

Here at M we're inviting guests young and old to enjoy our Forbes Four-Star resort your way with a celebration to suit every taste and all price points. With no cover charges or pre fixe menus, you’re free to dine at your leisure, dance the night away or enjoy the thrill of red-hot gaming action and a champagne toast at midnight.

We’ll offer complimentary party favors and cake and champagne stations throughout the property's 92,000 square foot casino and live entertainment in the Lobby Bar, entertainment lounge, Ravello, and popular wine bar, Hostile Grape, which features more than 160 wines by the glass. A designated area outside Hostile Grape in Villaggio Del Sole pool piazza will be set-up for those who want to leisurely party by the pool.

With a vantage point 400 feet above the Las Vegas Strip properties, you’re invited to view the fireworks from the M Resort's six terraces including our 16th floor restaurant, Veloce Cibo. All three of our fine dining restaurants, Marinelli's, Terzetto and Veloce Cibo, will accept reservations for the evening and will offer standard menus. Hash House A Go Go will add special items to its popular "twisted farm food" menu for the evening.

DINING

ENTERTAINMENT

Lobby Bar - 7pm Mark B

So join us for dining, drinking, dancing and gaming at the best New Year's Eve party in Vegas here at M Resort!

Wine is one of those things that is very much subjective. There are some you love and others you just can't stand. And don't you hate it when you order an entire glass of one that you really don't care for? No worries in Hostile Grape: the enomatic wine machines here allow you to taste a huge variety of wines in one, three and five ounce pours with prices to match. Get a small taste if you're trying something for the first time that you're not sure about, or get a whole glass if it's a favorite.

The M Girls 2011 Calendar is definitely cool, as are the ladies themselves, and this is one cool thing here at M that won't be around forever so get 'em while they last. They're available for just $10+tax at 32 Degrees and Studio B Buffet and part of the proceeds goes to benefit the American Cancer Society.

There are some absolutely amazing chandeliers and other light fixtures here, but perhaps the most spectacular is in M Bar. It's made of thousands upon thousands of individual pieces that took an awful long time to assemble. It's definitely worth a gander.

How about another "M" something? It's our M Cider and it will definitely make you go "Mmmmm."

Want to rid yourself of that winter chill? Try the therapy pools at Spa Mio. They'll warm you up and relax those holiday stress knots right out of you. Ooh! Cool chandelier again!

Yes it's more wine, but it's really the room we wanted to point out. This is the electric wine room at Marinelli's. It's electric red and just so happens to house some pretty amazing reds you can enjoy with dinner.

Tucked between Terzetto and the Lobby Bar is the Oyster Bar. It's a great spot to saddle-up for some delicious seafood treats and easy conversation.

Here's one of our other favorite "M" things - the M sign on the side of the hotel tower. It can be programmed to do all sorts of cool things and if you come out to the property right now, you'll see it's gone all candy cane for the holidays.

You're not in Kansas anymore - this is Vegas baby! The new Great and Powerful Oz slots are REALLY cool. These slots feature some of the latest sensory immersion technologies, great bonuses and communal gaming.

And while we're on the topic of gaming, have you tried it away from the slots and tables yet? Here at M we offer Cantor Gaming's eDeck devices which feature slots, video poker and table games right from a small wireless device.

That's ten! Come down and check them out!

The "poolside pit" offers four blackjack tables with minimums starting at just $5. You'll find a double-deck game and three shoe games. Did we mention the lovely dealers? They look amazing clad in their bright yellow two-pieces and a friendly smile. The tables are under great shade and surrounded by misters. They're also right next to the poolside bar, so you'll get your favorite summer cocktail or ice-cold beer in a jiffy.

The poolside pit is open Saturday and Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. so come and enjoy some summer gaming action outside in this spectacular setting.

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!