How to host the perfect poker night

The popularity of Poker has increased dramatically in recent years. Of course, you can host a spur of the moment game for the guys or the gals, but for a poker night that feels authentic, you do need a bit of prior planning and preparation. Here, we look at some tips and tricks to help you host the perfect poker night.

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When are you going to have it?

You might automatically think that the weekend is the best time to host, especially if you are planning a late one. However, unless you organize it weeks in advance, you may find that some people can’t attend due to having other things planned. Monday’s are never a good day - very few people are in the mood. Thursday’s are usually a good one - it is almost the weekend so people are starting to get into the mood to have some fun.

Who are you going to invite?

Remember, Poker can’t be played by more than ten people at one time. Unless you want to spend your time explaining the rules and helping others, choose people who know the game. They can have a practice on EnergyCasino if they need to brush up their skills.

Lay down the rules

Nothing spoils the fun and the atmosphere more than petty arguments and bickering over the rules. Lay down the ground rules, such as monetary limits, right at the start so there are no misunderstandings or falling out.

Have everything you need to hand

Make sure that you have enough poker chips for every player - ideally around 35 per person. You can use real coins if you need to, but poker chips make it seem much more professional and authentic. Don’t forget the deck of cards too.

Food and drinks

Poker can get serious, so you need plenty of snacks to sustain you and your guests. Avoid anything that needs cutlery or can be greasy, sticky, and messy - no one needs BBQ sauce all over the deck of cards! Opt for simple but sophisticated finger foods - chips, vegetable sticks, breadsticks, dips, and mini sandwiches can all be put in bowls and plates on the table for people to help themselves too in between turns. You may want to ask your guests to bring their own drinks, particularly if you are planning on having alcohol. Make sure there are plenty of soft drinks and iced water to hand and have enough glasses and lots of ice!

Figure out which type of Poker you want to play

As you more than likely already know, there are many variants of the game. The most popular ones are Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud. Of course, it is entirely up to you and your pals which version you play, but our recommendation is Texas Hold ‘Em. There are fewer rules and fewer cards in play, making it the easiest game to understand and play, and the most popular one amongst Poker players.

Have fun

Your main goal of the night should be to have fun and catch up with your pals over a shared interest: poker and EnergyCasino games. Of course, if you are there for some serious stakes, that’s fine - but make sure that you are all on the same page. It isn’t fair if one player is out to win lots and the rest just want a casual game