Poker night – that one night, you get to free yourself from all the hustles and bustles of the harsh world, come together with the boys, pop open the good whiskey, and get a taste of Vegas!

Getting the chance to win a bit of cash from your friends will always taste so nice. But then again, things just don’t come together on their own. You may be the best poker player in the squad, but it requires certain skills and preparation to host a memorable night at home.

If it’s your turn to host, and you have no clue what to do, here are a few tips on how you can host the ultimate guy’s poker night at your home by Gentleman Zone.

Start With A Plan

Any event planner worth their salt will tell you that the first step to hosting anything is to plan for it.

And poker night is no exception.

Therefore, start by setting up a date for the event. If possible, consider a date that everyone is most likely to attend. Ask for availability among the people on your guest list while being flexible enough to move the date around. Ideally, Friday nights are usually the most preferred because people can wind down without worrying about work the next day. 

Once you have the date, set up the game’s format in advance so the players can prepare for it. Be it Texas Hold’em or a dealer’s choice? Will it be cash or tournament? Also, let people know the buy-in level and set the worth of each Chip.

What about responsible play? According to industry veterans at Beastsofpoker.com, it’s worth to make sure everyone has fun at the Table and plays responsibly with money they can afford to lose.

Who To Invite To Play

The people you invite are basically who determine how fun or smooth the game will go. The standard poker tables in casinos usually host around 8-10 players. When hosting at home, you want to keep close to this number, preferably 8 players maximum. 

However, this is also dependent on your carrying capacity. Invite just enough people that can comfortably fit in without overcrowding the space. Make sure that everyone is informed beforehand while taking into consideration all the needs of the players.

Also, keep in mind that part of the experience is the storytelling and conversations you’ll have with each other. For this reason, it is vital that you invite people that you get along with. Include all the different personalities, but more so, that lively guy who always has interesting stories to tell. Try and veer away from inviting strangers. They might take time to blend in with others.

Poker Accessories: Essentials

Luckily, poker is a simple sport that doesn’t need much equipment or safety gear like fishing or hockey. In fact, all you need to pull off a standard game is a table, a deck of cards, and chips.

However, you want to have at least one extra set of cards just in case. This way, if the cards are damaged in the process, the game can still go on uninterruptedly.

A nice set of poker chips is also fundamental. In this case, a 500 chipset will do just fine. And we are not talking about those flimsy kinds you’d find at the dollar store. There are some pretty affordable options you can get out there that don’t feel like cheap plastic.

On the same note, it is always advisable to have an extra set of chips for when someone wants to buy in after going out. The good thing is that you don’t have to buy pre-denominated chips. Instead, you can get different colored chips and then assign them any value you want.

As for the table, it doesn’t necessarily have to be anything fancy. A simple dining table can suffice.

However, if you wish to bring out the true backstreet-club experience, you can either invest in a legit table or simply purchase the more affordable table toppers.

Setting Up The Space 

Now that you have your accessories at hand, it’s time to focus on the ambiance. The primary aim is to make it as convenient as possible for the gameplay.

From the chairs to the lighting to the table, make it so that the players can access and see their cards with as much ease as possible.

A good place to start is by setting your table in a spot with good overhead lighting. The chairs should be comfortable as well, so the players can withstand the extended game time. If you only have card table chairs, you can add some flat cushions for more comfort and elevation.

Food & Refreshments

They say a hungry man is an angry man. And the last thing you need is a bunch of angry men seated around a table losing money. Therefore, an essential part of keeping the whole experience friendly is making sure there is a hefty supply of snacks and drinks available.

Typically, people tend to go with simple eats like chips, nuts, dips, and wings. But if you really want to wow your crowd, you can go a bit extra with a buffet of warm dishes like meatballs.

For best results, keep the snacks away from the designated poker table. It might end up in spills that may soil the green fleet. Also, lean towards meals that don’t need cooling or reheating, like meats and cheeses.

On beverages, the choice is really up to you and your team. If it’s the usual suspects, you can ask everyone to carry their drink of choice. Alternatively, if you want to make it a bit classy, you can do cocktails or go big with the top-shelf whiskey. It basically depends on your crowd and budget.

It is also important to include non-alcoholic drinks for those who just don’t partake and the designated drivers. You might find yourself needing one to keep your mind clear as the game progresses!

Takeaways

To sum it all up, hosting a guy poker night is really not rocket science. The key is to be prepared in advance. Remember, the main intention of the game is to strengthen the bond with your boys. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep the game friendly. Set the buy-ins high enough, so it is interesting, but not too high. You don’t want anyone losing excessive amounts of money. If you know your players and the gameplay, you can never go wrong.

The post Hosting Guys Poker Night? Chips, Rules, Ideas & Party appeared first on Gentleman Zone.