Are you planning to organize a poker home game? It is a great way to gather, socialize, and enjoy a fun night with your friends. Hosting a poker night will make you a hit straightaway with your guests if they enjoy playing the game equally.
As a host, you would have a vision of the game night; to make it come true, you need a proper poker set up. Here we have listed the things you need to set up the poker table and a guide to make the evening a success.
1. A Poker Table:
This is purely optional but can make the game seem like being played in a real casino. After all, using a poker table with padded rims, which can prevent cards from sliding on the floor, is better than playing on a glass table.
If you have a large table at home, do not invest in a poker table, but if you need a table for the game, you can think of getting one. Various foldaway poker tables are available in the market in different price ranges. There are a few that can rest on existing tables as well. These can be easily stored behind the wardrobes or in the garage.
2. Poker Chips:
You cannot have the same experience playing real poker without owning good quality poker chips. You can buy cheap plastic ones or luxurious clay brands based on your budget. Stick to at least four different colors of chips. Betting with matchsticks or notes and coins will ruin the poker night and might seem disappointing to your guests; hence, invest in buying poker chips.
If you want to add some personal touch to them, you can also invest in custom chip sets available online. Most of these chip sets come with a storage unit, such as a small metal case and a dealer button.
3. Three or Four Decks of Cards:
Obviously, you cannot play poker without several decks or cards. You should also keep a few spare decks just in case a few cards are lost, or a deck gets damaged during the party. This is a cheap investment; hence, you can always get a few extras.
4. A Timer:
While playing a home poker tournament, you will need to time the levels. This can be done using the stopwatch on your phone. It is still more convenient if you get a separate device with a timer visible to all the players.
5. Dealer Button:
This usually comes with poker chips, but if you have lost yours, you can always use a cardholder or a paperweight. Be a little innovative if a few items are missing. It is a home poker tournament; hence, it is natural that you will have to improvise, which is the fun bit.
6. A Money Box:
It would help if you kept all the chips and buy-ins safe. The host is usually responsible for collecting entries and distributing chips and prizes. Hence, you need a small tin box just like a safe to store these items safely.
Pick Your Game Format:
You can play poker in two formats, either ring or tournament format.
Ring Format:
This is the traditional way of playing poker, where the player enters the game as soon as they arrive and leaves whenever they wish to. This game can go on indefinitely and only ends when there are no longer enough participants who wish to play. The chips in a ring game represent precisely their amount, unlike in a tournament. In this format, there is no obligation to play until there is a single winner.
This format is preferable when played at home because it lets the players choose when to enter and exit. This keeps all the guests involved and free to leave when they get tired or bored.
Tournament Format:
As the name suggests, this is played until a single winner emerges. All the participants are required to buy a predetermined amount of chips. Every competitor receives the same amount of chips. Blinds are increased at regular intervals, which is played as a knockout tournament. The prize can be given to the single winner or the top placeholders based on the host’s decision.
If the ten players participate in the tournament, the top two or three receive prizes.
Decide How Do You Wish the Game to Be:
Poker is a competitive game, and you can invite your circle of friends who are really into this game. Then you can make it a serious game night of poker. But if you invite a mixed bunch of guests with pros and newbies, it makes sense to make it a more social evening. Focus on making the environment fun rather than serious gameplay. Focus on offering good food and drinks.
The best poker game night may be somewhere between social and serious, which you can always consider.
