There’s nothing like a good game of poker to get your blood pumping and earn some quick cash. If you want to avoid going out to play, you can always host a successful poker night at your home with a few essentials.
Whether you’re a poker pro or novice, wanting to host a poker night, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know to host your personal poker night at home. So grab some drinks and your chips and follow this easy 7-step guide and impress all your friends!
1. Cards and crew
The first thing any good poker night needs is a set of cards to play with. Whether you have fancy vintage or dollar store cards, make sure you have 52 of them! Make sure that they’re clean and in good condition as there’s nothing worse than playing with dog-eared and sticky cards. The right game calls for the right set of people, so invite only the best of the best for your poker night. Play with people you love and trust, and who will make the game more exciting for everyone.
2. Poker chips
Next on the list of poker night essentials are poker chips! The poker chips are half the fun and style of the evening, so you can’t forget them! You can use whatever you want as poker chips. Traditional poker chips can be made from clay, ceramics, or plastic to fit your needs and price tag. Whether you’re using authentic poker chips or bottle caps, make sure you can differentiate them. Playing with identical items and chips can get real confusing, real fast!
3. A poker table
Next on the list, you need to have a place to keep your cards, chips, and players! There are many ways to go about getting the perfect poker table. When finding the best poker table you can go as big or as small as you like, just make sure it looks good! A good poker table needs to have designated zones for cards, chips, and the players. Professional tables come with these markings, but you can achieve it at home with some tape. Whether you use a professional table or the one in your dining room, make sure it’s clean first!
4. Find a dealer
No poker match is complete without a good dealer! Shuffling and dealing with the cards is more than just part of the ritual of playing poker. The fate of each player and the game as a whole is in the hands of the dealer, so it’s important to have a good one. There are plenty of ways to supply a good dealer from hiring a professional to sourcing one from the players. Whether you have a designated dealer or are sharing the responsibility, make sure to do a good job!
5. Establish some ground rules
If money and stakes are involved, things can go south very quickly during a heated poker match. A great way to stay out of trouble and to keep things light and fun is to set down some ground rules for the night. Decide what kind of evening you want to have and what stakes and rules are involved. Whether you’re betting on money, valuable items, or potato chips, make sure everyone knows the rules and agrees with them! Everyone needs to know the ground rules and house rules for a good poker night!
6. Snacks and refreshments
Once you’ve sorted out all the gaming equipment, it’s time to think about snacks and refreshments. You can go as big or on the theme as you like with this, depending on your mood and budget. Get creative with some fun and tasty recipes from deviled eggs to sushi! Have a selection of drinks to accommodate all your guests. Throw a little alcohol in the mix and your chances of winning will skyrocket, but remember to drink responsibly!
7. Set the scene
Last but not least, before your guests arrive, you need to set the scene. To impress your guests and take the evening to the next level, decorate your home to look the part. If you want to go all out, decide on a theme and invite your guests to dress up for it. Work with your guests to choose a character with their own nickname, backstory, and style. Pick a playlist to suit your poker theme, pop on some tunes, dim the lights, and have fun with it!
So there you have it! To plan the perfect poker night, organize your cards and crew. Get the poker chips ready and set your poker table for a night of fun! Make sure to find a good dealer to have a smooth and enjoyable game. Establish some rules for both the game and the house for your guests. Prepare some snacks and refreshments, set the mood, and get ready for an epic night of poker at home!
