We have some favorites that we think you'll enjoy:

1. Check the weather forecast from "back home" and then reflect on your wisdom of deciding on Hollywood, FL to spend the holidays or to live full time.
2. We have 7 miles of beautiful, Blue Wave Certified Clean Beach just waiting for you to enjoy. You can work on your tan, ride a wave, read a book, go for a walk along the water's edge or just watch the world go by. Don't forget the sun block.
3. Want to do something that requires a bit more clothing? Travel and Leisure magazine calls Hollywood home of one of the best boardwalks on the entire East Coast. The Hollywood Boardwalk is 21/2 miles long and offers up a multitude of shops, boutiques, outdoor cafes, beachfront parks and entertainment. Take a seat and sip a drink and enjoy world-class people watching.
4. If you are looking for a romantic evening it doesn't get better than a spending it dining and dancing aboard a luxury yacht. Enjoy a Champaign toast and of course the beautiful lights of the Florida skyline.
5. If you are not up to partying with the crowds throw a bash at your own house. Stone crabs are a regional favorite and they are in season. Stop by Absolute Crab on South 21 Ave. or call for delivery and get a few pounds for your party.
6. Then there's the heart thumping, pulse pumping vibe that you'll get if you visit us at Mardi Gras Casino. The usual excitement of slots action and a huge poker room will be augmented by a free concert featuring The Manhattans of "Kiss Me and Tell Me Goodbye" fame starting at 10:30 PM followed by a fireworks show.

No matter how you spend New Year's Eve 2014 in Hollywood you're sure to have an enjoyable and memorable time. Here's our wish for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Lord of the Rings characters, sounds and super graphics will grab the attention of every fan and keep them engaged in a game that is full of surprises and opportunities to win. An amazing top box will keep the player's pulse up with features like re-spin, multipliers and free spin rounds that trigger even more opportunities to win. One word for this experience…"Precious."

A Slot Machine You Can’t refuse

Follow the Corleone family through this exciting game and relive the moments from the classic movie. When you hit the Rose symbols you trigger free spins and additional opportunities to win and pull down some big cash. It's a game that's sure to get your pulse pumping and your face grinning. These Godfather themed slots feature images and sounds from the original movie and come in three, reel video or mechanical versions.

But Wait There's More!

We're always looking for ways to update the slot experience for our guests and we think adding the Lords of the Ring and the Godfather slot machines do just that. But they obviously are not the only game in town. In fact we have over 1,100 slots including the largest progressive penny game going in the state of Florida.

If pennies don't get you excited no problem…our games take wagers from one cent to $20.00.

Just remember take your winnings, leave the cannolis.

This Toys In The Sun Run journey is sponsored by Mardi Gras Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  The proceeds benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation in Fort Lauderdale.  Last year as in previous years, almost one half million dollars is raised for the local low income families in Fort Lauderdale.  The Toys in the Sun Run is a way to bring joy to the hearts of many around Christmas time each year.  Motorcycle riders from all genders and age rev up their bikes to start this journey this Sunday, December 8th at Mardi Gras Casino in Fort Lauderdale.  They ride about 20 or so miles to Markham Park located in Weston, Florida off SR 84. When the motorcycles from the Toys In the Sun Run start roaring in crowds of thousands of on lookers are raring for a look of the decorations and toys.  These on lookers also bought a Toy to get into Markham Park where food vendors and booths are there to enjoy, browse and buy.  You can usually get anything from alligator to sausage and an iced cold beer.

Mardi Gras Casino sponsors this event, so naturally they are there with entertainment and great give aways.  In this 26th Year of Toys in the Sun Run, Bret Michaels will be there to enjoy along with live music, a classic car and bike show and over 100 vendors.  Don't miss supporting Joe DiMaggios Children's Hospital Foundation and helping the kids in our community this weekend in Fort Lauderdale.  

As they filed through one by one, judges offered helpful suggestions to some, and critiques as well as compliments to others.  They’ve chosen their 40 contestants to perform again in the Showcase Rounds on September 26th & 27th and October 3rd & 4th at 8pm.

This is where YOU come in!  Come join us and let your laughter help the judges decide which comics will advance to the Semi Final Rounds!  Here’s this year’s lineup of Showcase Round contestants:

Purchase your tickets online for the Showcase Rounds, or pay more at the door! General Admission is just $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door. VIP Seating is just $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door

So come on down to Mardi Gras Casino and Racetrack and let loose a little laughter!  We’re easy to find at the corner of Pembroke Rd. and Federal Hwy, just a mile east of I95.  We have plenty of parking and even FREE VALET PARKING!  Not only that, but you can enjoy playing plenty of games while you’re here.  We have over 1,000 slot machines with new machines coming in all the time.  Our Poker room is full of large tables to accommodate many, and we have several restaurants and bars throughout the casino.  We now have a Smoking Section for Slot Machine players, and FREE WI-FI!  With all of this, it’s not hard to see why here at Mardi Gras, it’s ALWAYS a PARTY!

Once again this year we are featuring Fort Lauderdale’s funniest contest, The Mardi Gras Comedy Challenge!  We are already taking registrations for open auditions online, so come wow us with your wacky wits!  You could walk away with $5,000!  Register to Audition Online Today for either September 20th or September 21st. Comedians will audition for judges on a first come, first signed up basis, from 10 am until 2 pm on those two days. Download the Official Rules, for everything you need to know about this year’s Comedy Challenge!

Only 40 comedians will advance from the Auditions to the Showcase Rounds, where they will perform in front of the judges again and a live audience! Purchase your Showcase Rounds tickets online today and join us in the Joker’s Wild Comedy Club and Bar on level Two of the Mardi Gras Casino on Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th as well as, Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $10 in advance for General Admission, $15 cash only at the door, and $15 for Advanced VIP Admission, $20 cash only at the door. Your laughter will help the judges decide which 20 comedians will advance to the Semi-Final Rounds, to be held each Thursday and Friday night from October to mid-November.

Be sure to make plans to be with us, or to register to enter the Comedy Challenge today!  After all, laughter is the best medicine…  for just about everything! It’s Always a Party at Mardi Gras Casino and Racetrack in Hallandale Beach, FL!

Download our Mobile App and win a free T-shirt!
http://mobile.mardigrascasinofl.com/mobileapp.html

Players are in luck at Mardi Gras Casino, located in the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale area! We’ve got the hottest promotions and more ways for you to win this September! Every Sunday, players 55 and older can earn 10 points for a chance to win $200 cash. On Mondays, Football lovers have a chance to win $500 cash if your entry is drawn from the winning team’s barrel. Text “PROMO” to 59796 for exclusive promotional offers. Fat Tuesdays, players could win a “Fortune” in cash and bonus play in the Fortune 8 Ball promotion with a total of $250,000 to be won! Every Wednesday, the more you play the more bonus play you unlock and earn with the Progressive Play & Earn promotion. Every Thursday earn 40 points for a chance to win Spin and Win a share of $80,000 in cash and bonus play! On Friday the 13th earn 13 points for a chance to win $1,313.13!

Along with the fun and exciting promotions, Mardi Gras offers delicious food & beverage specials such as a $5 Black Magic throughout the casino, and weekend buffets at our signature restaurant, The French Quarter. In addition, WWE fans can watch Night of Champions on September 15th at 8pm in the Venue on Two. $20 cover includes buffet. And all guests can enjoy live weekly entertainment including Tribute Bands on Friday nights, additional performers on weekends. Whether it’s slots, poker, promotions, restaurants, or entertainment - everyone is a winner and it’s always a Party at Mardi Gras Casino!

Well, at the Big Easy Poker Room Sunday through Thursdays we are throwing out the clock with INSTANT HIGH HAND JACKPOTS. It’s $50 for a full house (any full house from 10am- noon, 10s full after), $100 for any Quads, $250 for any Straight flush and $500 for any Royal flush. That’s all day Sunday – Thursday, anytime. Hit the hand, get paid instantly! There’s no clock, no waiting and no sweating it out, waiting for the clock to run out. And best of all, no last second bad beats. Just big money, all day long.

The Big Easy Poker Room pays more than $250,000 in poker jackpots every month. So, come out and grab your share instantly, only at the best poker room in South Florida.

Be sure to follow the Big Easy Poker Room on Twitter or Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our Poker Insider Videos!

For the third year in a row, Mardi Gras Casino near Fort Lauderdale is hosting the annual Mardi Gras Stand-Up Comedy Challenge.  Stand-Up Comedians from all over South Florida are encouraged to audition and compete for the $5,000 grand prize and the opportunity to open for headliner Craig Shoemaker at the Grandstand Finale performance on November 16th, 2013!

Our Comedy Challenge will begin with open auditions on September 20th and 21st. 40 comedians will be chosen to compete in the Showcase Rounds, beginning on September 26th and 27th at 8 pm. Purchase your tickets online today for the Showcase Rounds. Twenty comedians will be selected from each of the two Showcase Rounds to advance to the Semi-Final Rounds of the competition. The Semi-Finals begin October 10th. So come laugh with us every Thursday and Friday night. Check out the Comedy Challenge Schedule so you won’t miss your favorite Headliner. This year’s lineup of famous Comedians includes: Angel Salazar, Louis Ramey, Lisa Landry, L.A. Hardy, Bobby Collins and Craig Shoemaker.

Of course, anytime you come to Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach, FL there is always plenty of fun and frivolity, as well as fantastic food, delicious drinks and our famous happy hour specials!  See you soon…

Purchase Your Tickets Online! Ticket prices: General Admission - $10 / Premium Seating - $20 / VIP - $60 (Day of Concert, add $10).

All ticket holders receive a discount to our Special Concert Buffet, for just $10.95, at the French Quarter Restaurant & Bar, located on the third floor of the casino from 5pm-10pm. After the concert, make your way to the slot floor and play one of your favorite machines for a chance to win $250 bonus play until 10:30pm! Must be 21 years of age and a Players’ Club Member to enter. Membership is FREE – find out the benefits to joining our Krewe Club!

If it is fun and excitement you are looking for then come to Mardi Gras Casino - Where it’s always a party!

Since then, timed high hand jackpots have been a fact of poker life in South Florida. In fact, we at the Big Easy Poker Room have been the cutting edge, offering bigger and more frequent high hands. Currently we are running a Friday, Saturday and Sunday high hands promotion of $500 on the half hour. We have now “stopped the clock” every day with our instant winner promotion. But as usual in this space, first a little poker history.

For as long as anyone can remember, the dominant, and often the only form of poker promotion was the progressive bad beat jackpot. That’s when a really great hand, was beaten by an even better hand. The idea was to make it hard enough so that it would only get hit a few times a year and build up big money to attract players. A few people winning big money was exciting, but the payouts would be few and far between. For many poker rooms it would cause a sort of “boom and bust” cycle. When a big jackpot would accumulate, the room would get busy. After it got hit, players would move on to the room with the next big jackpot.  High hand jackpots paved the way for the current era of smaller, very frequent jackpots.

And so we move on to the next step, instant jackpots. See you next time with the details…

Be sure to follow the Big Easy Poker Room on Twitter or Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our Poker Insider Videos!

In the mood for some Southern Rock in South Florida? Then visit Mardi Gras Casino and listen to the eclectic sounds of The Marshall Tucker Band on Tuesday, July 9th at 8pm! Combining their iconic blend of rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, country, and gospel – The Marshall Tucker band has been influential in the country music industry. Come out and watch them perform hits like “Can’t You See” and "Heard It in a Love Song" live in our Historic Hollywood Grandstand.  Be sure to visit our website to Purchase Tickets, and to view our special Concert Buffet at our signature restaurant, The French Quarter.  All ticket holders receive a special buffet price of $10.95.

What could be more exciting than a fireworks display immediately following the Marshall Tucker concert? Afterwards, make your way to the slot floor and play your favorite machine, or one of our new Hot Slots, for a chance to win $250 bonus play until 10:30pm! All you need is a Players’ Club card. If it is fun and excitement you are looking for then come to Mardi Gras Casino. Where it’s always a party!

As usual we’re going to delve into a little poker history, this time about Freeroll events. In case you don’t know, a Freeroll is a poker tournament with a $0 buy-in. It costs nothing to sit down and play. Now, The Big Easy is not the first poker room in history to offer Freeroll poker tournaments but I think we might be the first to have ever offered a “free for all” Freeroll. Meaning, it’s open to anyone who grabs a ticket. Freeroll tournaments have been around forever but they were always offered as a reward for something, such as playing a certain amount of live action over a certain period of time, or the tickets might be given away as part of a drawing or some other promo. So come join us, as we create a little bit of new poker history. Check out our June Poker Promotions for other special offers.

Here’s our Weekly Schedule of Freeroll events:
SUNDAY 7PM –$1500 Guaranteed Free Roll Hold’em (shootout style)
(NEW) MONDAY 7PM –$1500 Guaranteed Freeroll Hold’em (NEW) WEDNESDAY 7PM - $1500 Guaranteed Pot Limit Omaha
THURSDAY 7PM –$1500 Guaranteed Freeroll Hold’em

After the concert, you’ll have a chance to win $250 bonus play. All you need to do is play your favorite slot machine with your Players’ Club card. Sign-up for a FREE Player’s Club Membership today. Text “CONCERT” to 59769 from your mobile phone to win a FREE Pair of Tickets to the show. Be sure to visit our website to Purchase Tickets, Download the Seating Chart and to view our special Concert Buffet at our signature restaurant, The French Quarter. If it is fun and excitement you are looking for then come to Mardi Gras Casino, where it’s always a party!

While not regarded as the most mainstream of popular poker games, H.O.R.S.E pulled in close to 900 entries for a $1500 buy event at the 2012 WSOP. It is a must for serious players trying to broaden their horizons or even those who just want to try something other than Texas Hold’em. Each of the games included demand their own approach, skill set and attitude. So if you want to try a little change of pace, check us out any Monday afternoon. The H.O.R.S.E tournament starts at 1pm. And don’t forget our other great Weekly Tournaments:

Sunday 7pm FREE ROLL Texas Holdem Shoot Out

Tuesday 7pm Omaha hi/lo $115 buy in featuring a dedicated high hand and Royal Flush Jackpot.

Wednesday 7PM FREE ROLL PLO (Pot limit Omaha)

Thursday 7pm FREE ROLL Texas Hold’em

All of our free roll tournaments feature a $0 initial buy in and are open to everyone. Tickets are available at the cashier starting at 1pm.

All of our free rolls have a guaranteed $1500 in prize money and $500 guaranteed first prize.

We’re celebrating The Lovin’ Spoonful era in a big way with a 60’s Costume Contest before their live performance on May 14th, from 6pm-7pm. Be sure to wear your best 60’s Costume for a chance to win up to $1,000 cash! But, the fun doesn’t stop there. After the concert, head into the casino to play your favorite slot machines for a chance to win big! Must be 21 years of age to play slots. If it is fun and excitement you are looking for then come to Mardi Gras Casino, where it’s always a party!

I’m not sure.

By that I mean that I know the decision my staff and I would make when called to the table in that situation. But I couldn’t tell you what might happen at any of the 100’s of other poker rooms. I would say if you described that scenario to 100 poker industry professionals there would be something close to a 50-50 split on the decision. In The Big Easy Poker Room you probably would still get the pot. Even if one of your cards left the table, assuming we could be certain they were your cards.

And that’s really the point. Had you simply turned your cards up on the table right in front of you, you would be certain to get the pot, 100% of the time. By repeating behavior you saw on TV you became the biggest enemy of your own bankroll and left it to chance. It also slowed down the game for the other 6-8 people sitting at the table (remember them) when this melee broke out.

So come join us for some “Speed no limit Hold’em” only at the Big Easy all day, every day.

And remember play for the pot, not for the cameras. See you next time.

If it is fun and excitement you’re looking for then come to Mardi Gras Casino; Where it’s always a party!

Chicken Jambalaya Recipe
Serves 4
.5 lb - Whole Butter
18 oz - Chicken, cut small, pre-cooked (Boneless - Breast/Thigh Meat)
1 TBSP - Garlic, chopped
.5 ea - Yellow Onion, medium dice
.5 ea - Green Pepper, medium dice
.5 ea - Red Pepper, medium dice
1 lb - Andouille Sausage, medium dice
1 stick - Celery, medium dice
24 oz - Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth
1 oz - Tobasco Sauce
1 tsp - French Quarter Spice
To taste - Salt and Pepper
3 cup - Rice, pre-cooked and hot

French Quarter Spice
2 ea - Bay Leaf
1 tsp - Cumin
1 tsp - Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp - Coarse Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp - Dry Ground Mustard
1 TBSP - Celery Salt
1 TBSP - Garlic Powder

Place ingredients into a food processer and chop/puree until all items become ground (a powder) In a sauce pot, over medium heat, melt butter, do not allow to burn. Add onions, peppers, celery and cook while stirring about 1 minute; add celery and garlic, cook additional 2 minutes stir occasionally. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, add sausage and chicken, cook 1 minute. Add stock/broth and bring to a simmer, allow to simmer 3-4 minutes.
Add rice and mix with other ingredients in the pot. Add Tabasco, French Quarter Spice, pinch of salt and pepper. Stir all ingredients together, remove from heat. Taste and adjust with more seasoning if needed. If you prefer a spicy dish, add crushed red pepper flakes, and/or more Tabasco sauce.

Just in case you’ve never tried any of the Big Easy Poker Room popular weekly free roll tournaments, here it is. A Freeroll tournament is poker tournament with a $0 initial buy-in. That’s right zip, bubkus, nada. Sign up, sit down and we’ll give you 500 free units. Of course if you want to purchase more chips, we will gladly oblige. We currently run 3 weekly Freeroll tournaments including a shootout style hold’em on Sunday nights, a PLO event on Wednesdays, and a regular hold’em event on Thursdays. All current Freeroll events feature $1500 guaranteed prize money and a guaranteed $500 first prize! All events start at 7pm. Tickets are available at the Mardi Gras Casino cashiers cage, inside the poker room, starting at 1pm the day of the event.

For now the All In or Fold on April 1st is our only scheduled Monday night event. But if our guests like it, you can bet it will become the newest addition to our weekly tournament lineup. Stay tuned for more!