Hosting a poker night can feel a little bit intimidating. But don’t worry!
We’re here to help you organise a great poker night. Just follow our tips below.
How to host a poker night
Here are some tips to help you organise a great poker night.
Choose your poker game
There are many different types of poker games out there. You want to start by choosing the right type of poker game for you and your guests.
Let’s start with physical or virtual poker. Are you thinking of playing with a real deck of cards or are you interested in virtual multiplayer poker games?
If you are unsure, you can always have both options available on your game night. Players can try both formats and continue playing the one they prefer.
Alternatively, you can ask your guests if they have any preferences before the game night.
Many messaging apps gives users the option to create a poll. Why not create a poll on your group chat and asks your friends what type of poker they like?
If you and your friends know nothing about poker, it might be worth doing some more research. Online poker operators are likely to offer Texas Hold’em as the default option, this is the version of the game that most people are familiar with so it’s the best choice if you want to keep things simple.
You won’t have to explain the rules during game night. Your friends won’t have to wrap their head around some new rules and new poker game.
Instead, you’ll have more time to play and enjoy each other’s company.
The set-up
Now that you’ve picked the poker game, you can start thinking about set-up.
If you’ve decided to play poker with a physical deck of cards, you will need:
- A standard 52-card deck
- Poker chips or coins
- A table
- Comfortable chairs
You can purchase most of these things online or at a store.
As for a poker table, you can either use a normal table or invest in a more professional one. If you’ve opted for a normal table, you can decorate it to make it look more professional.
Some poker fans even go as far as making their own tables from scratch.
If you’ve decided to go with a virtual multiplayer poker game, you will need:
- a good TV monitor
- your gaming devices ready and fully charged (e.g. consoles)
- comfortable seats
- a reliable internet connection if it’s an online game
Make sure you have a nice, quiet room to play in. It will be harder to play in public or outdoors.
We recommend playing in private, indoor spaces for the best game night experience.
You also want to make sure that the lighting is good enough that players can easily see their cards and each other’s reactions.
Once you have the right set-up, you can start to decorate the space.
Dealer or no dealer?
If you want to recreate a casino experience at home, you will need a dealer. This could be one of your friends.
Maybe you have someone in your friend group who isn’t a big poker player. If so, they might be interested in being the dealer during your game night.
If that’s not the case, you can all take turns being the dealer. It will give you time to watch others play and develop your own poker strategy.
It can also be a nice little break from poker gaming.
If no one is interested in being the dealer, you can always ignore this role altogether. You can deal cards to each other throughout the game.
However, having a dealer usually makes the game feel more authentic and realistic. We recommend having one for the best experience possible.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are very important during a game night. We recommend checking the dietary requirements of your guests before buying anything.
Make sure to check if anyone is allergic to anything. Avoid any food or beverages that could contain something they’re allergic to.
Here are some ideas of fun recipes for your game night.