One of the best things about poker is that it’s not just a game but a theme that you can apply to all sorts of different functions.
From birthdays to barbecues, there are lots of reasons to throw a casino night and they make for one of the most fun non-poker related activities we know how to do.
Casino parties are great because they offer something fun for everyone. While you and your poker buddies might not be interested in playing Uncle Bob at blackjack, other guests at your party very well might be.
10+ Best Pittsburgh Casinos in Pennsylvania - Top Casino ReviewsAnd even the non-gamers will get into it when you add in carnival games like a beard throwing contest or a Sarah Palin impersonation contest.
Plan the Ultimate Casino Night.
So what exactly do you need to throw one of these bad boys? It depends on what kind of player you are. If you’ve spent the last 15 years perfecting the art of the plastic chip poker game in your parent’s basement then you might want to invest in some real casino chips and chip racks so you feel like a big shot.
On the other hand if you’re more worried about losing your fake chips that you printed off the Internet, then you can keep it low key with a pack of regular playing cards and a highlighter.
Whatever way you choose to roll, follow our guide to running the perfect home casino night and you’ll be sure to have a killer party.
How to Run a Successful Casino Night
Before you run out and start buying chips and roulette wheels there are a few things you should take into consideration in order to maximize your chances of having an awesome night.
1. Guest List
The first thing you need to do is make a list of who you want to invite. Make sure you ask people well in advance so they have time to clear their schedule.
Also try to get a general head count a week or two before the party so you can plan accordingly. There is nothing worse than running out of food or chairs because you didn’t know how many people were showing up.
Another important thing to consider while making your guest list is the skill level of your guests. Unless you want people going home angry and upset because they lost all their "money," it’s good to have a mix of games that cater to both experienced gamblers as well as novices.
2. Date, Time and Location
Once you have your guest list sorted out, figure out a convenient date and time that works for everybody.
Try to give people a rough idea of what the night is going to entail so they know whether or not they are able to make it.
Depending on your place, you may want to look into renting a bigger space so everybody has enough room to move around.
If you live in a small apartment or you just want to go all out, considering renting a hall or community center. That way you don’t have to worry about knocking over the chips while doing the Macarena in the kitchen.
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3. Decide on Games
Obviously as a poker player you are going to want to play some cards, but you should also try and offer a variety of games for people with different interests.
Some great table games to offer besides poker include:
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Roulette
- Caribbean Stud
- Let It Ride
In addition to table games, another great idea is to set up some carnival style games like ring toss, basketball shootout and bean bag toss.
Not only do these games appeal to the non-gamblers but they are also a ton of fun for people of all ages. Plus winning plush prizes is way better than yet another fake $100 chip.
4. Budget
How much money you end up spending is totally up to you and will depend largely on how extravagant of a party you want to throw.
If you are trying to keep costs down there are tons of ways to cut corners that won’t effect the overall quality of the event. For example instead of purchasing 100% authentic Las Vegas style casino chips, pick up some brightly colored plastic discs from the dollar store and write on them with a Sharpie.
No one will be able to tell the difference and at a tenth of the cost, you can afford to buy twice as many. Another great way to save money is to make your own poker tournament brackets instead of buying pre-made ones.
All you have to do is print out a basic tree shape and decorate it however you see fit. Check out our free PDF templates below.
Free Printable Tournament Brackets
Standard Tournament Bracket
What You Need for a Casino Theme Party
Now that you have your basic plan in order it’s time to stock up on supplies. Depending on your budget and the type of games you want to offer you can scale this list up or down.
Fake Money
Whether you go all out and purchase real casino chips and chip racks or keep it low key with some decks of cards and a marker is completely up to you.
Most avid poker players like to splurge on some fancy plastic chips for their home games but if this if your first time hosting a casino party it probably isn’t necessary to make such a large investment.
Here is a rundown of the different types of chips and a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay:
Metal Casino Chips
These are the real deal and typically used in actual casinos. Because they are made of a heavy grade metal they are virtually indestructible.
Brand new casino chips can run anywhere from $10-$20 each depending on the design. Since you would realistically only need one of each value, a set of five different value chips could cost you $50 or more.
Plastic Casino Chips
These are a lot like the fake chips you would use in a home poker game. They come in a wide variety of colors and designs and usually feature a screen printed or embossed logo.
A 25-pack of simple plastic chips can be found online for about $10 while a 100-pack of custom imprinted chips will cost closer to $60.
Where to Buy:
- Poker Supply Warehouse (pscardstore.com)
- Poker Source (pokersource.com)
- Amazon.com
Play Money
If you decide against plastic chips you can always fall back on printable play money that you can find online. All you have to do is print out the fake bills and hand them out to your guests.
One really cool option is to use water guns filled with water balloons as your fake money. This is a great way to keep things fun and light hearted during the summer months. Just be warned that things could get messy!
Casino Accessories
Chip Racks: If you spring for the real plastic chips you are going to want to step up your game and get some chip racks to complete the look.
These bad boys will hold up to 200 chips and are a must have for any serious card room. At $35 a piece they aren’t cheap but if you plan on turning your basement into the new Bellagio then I guess you have no choice.
Dealer Button: Another essential item for your at-home card room is a dealer button. This will help players keep track of the dealer which keeps play fair and helps avoid any nasty disputes over whose turn it really is.
You can find basic dealer buttons for about $5 or you can splurge on a deluxe button with a moving chip for $30. In the end it doesn’t matter if you use a plastic poker button or a beer bottle – just make sure everyone knows what it is.
Cut Card: Used by the dealer to control the order of play after shuffling, a cut card is essentially optional. However if you really want to impress your friends with your vast knowledge of poker rules, then you had better pony up for the holographic cut card that retails for $70.
Hole Cards: Similar to a dealer button and cut card, hole cards aren’t absolutely necessary but they are still a nice touch. Hole cards fit into the felt table top and allow the dealer to hide his or her holes cards before the flop.
If you don’t feel like dropping thirty bucks on some felt circles you can always highlight your hole cards when you look at them before everyone else. Just don’t cheat! Where to Buy:
- Poker Supply Warehouse (pscardstore.com)
- Poker Source (pokersource.com)
- Amazon.com
Poker Tables and Chairs
Unfortunately unless you are filthy rich there is no way you are going to be able to replicate the grandeur of the Taj Mahal in your dank, windowless basement.
Lucky for you it’s not absolutely necessary to have a fancy felt table to run a successful poker night. As long as you have enough chairs for all your guests you are good to go.
That being said, if you want to go the extra mile there are actually companies out there that sell portable poker tables that fold up for easy storage.
Each table seats four players and features a built-in cup holder. The felt tops are removable and measure 38” x 19”. At $250 a piece they aren’t exactly cheap, but they beat shelling out hundreds of dollars for a custom felt table top.
For those of you looking to throw a larger event you may want to look into renting chairs and tables from a party supply company. That way you don’t have to worry about not having enough seating and you free up some valuable space in your living room.
Carnival Games and Prizes
No carnival is complete without some tacky prize stuffed animal creatures. Luckily you don’t have to spend a fortune rewarding the winners of your various games.
Head to your local dollar store to stock up on an assortment of crappy prizes that nobody will be sad to win. Some good options include:
- Plush toys
- Bouncy balls
- Lollipops
- Erasers
- Temporary tattoos
As for the games themselves you can either buy pre-made carnival games or make your own. A lot of retailers sell ring toss, basketball shootout and other carnival games specifically geared towards birthday parties and other private events.
These games generally range between $30-$60 and can be a good option if you are short on time. However if you have a little bit of patience and some basic carpentry skills you can easily build your own carnival games for a fraction of the cost.
Check out the following links for some great ideas:
Food and Drinks
What would a party be without some grub? While you don’t necessarily need to hire a personal chef to whip up some filet mignon, it is a good idea to have some finger foods on hand to keep your guests fueled up throughout the night.
Some good options include:
- Chips and dip
- Vegetable platter with dip
- Cheese and crackers
- Cookies and other sweet treats
- Sandwiches/wraps
- Pizza
Don’t forget to have plenty of drinks on hand as well. Having an open bar would be ideal but since most of us can’t afford to dole out top shelf liquor all night long, having a keg or a couple cases of beer should suffice.
Just make sure to drink responsibly! No one wants to play poker against a sloppy drunk.
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How to Set Up a Poker Table
Now that you have all your supplies it’s time to get everything set up. Before you start dealing hands you are going to want to lay out your table and arrange everything in its proper place.
The standard capacity of a nine-handed poker table is six players (dealer included). So as long as you have seven people for your game you are good to go. For fewer than seven people it is recommended that you do not use a dealer button.
Proper Placement of Poker Table Accessories
It is imperative that all players have a full view of the table devices at all times. Here is a quick reference on where everything goes.
How to Deal Poker Cards at Home Games
Shuffle and Deal: Regardless of the number of players, all players are initially dealt two hole cards each. The player to the left of the dealer (the small blind) receives the first card, followed by the big blind and so forth, until all players have two cards.
Once all players have their hole cards the dealer will put one burn card (the card immediately to the left of the deck) and then begin dealing three cards face down to each player starting with the player to the dealer’s left.
When dealing the board (community cards), the dealer will announce the street (pre-flop, flop, turn, river) and then deal the cards, starting with the player to the dealer’s left and moving clockwise around the table. The dealer will use the rake to push the cards approximately 30 degrees to ensure that players cannot reach for their cards directly.
Dealing Methods:
- Hold the deck close to the bottom with your dominant hand, using your other hand to spread the cards.
- Always deal shared cards (like the flop or turn) from the top of the deck rather than the burn card to prevent players from seeing the bottom card accidentally.
- When dealing to players, start with the player to the left of the dealer and move clockwise around the table.
- After dealing each round of shared cards (flop, turn and river), sweep them into the muck (discard) area at the center of the table so that players cannot go back and adjust their bets based on seeing how many cards they received on the flop, turn, etc.
How to Run a Casino Night Game Plan
Now that your table is set up properly it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to keep things running smoothly. Here are a couple tips to help you manage your game so that everybody stays happy and the games keep flowing.
Designate a Dealer
Since you already dropped a couple hundred bucks on plastic chips and a felt table top you might as well throw your friend who ALWAYS wins your weekly home game $20 and let him be the dealer for the night.
Having one person act as dealer for the entire night will help speed things along since the dealer is the only person who handles money and deals the cards.
Everyone else gets to sit back, relax and focus on losing all of Bob’s wife’s inheritance check.
Rotate Players
To keep things interesting you should think about rotating players every hour or so. This way everybody gets to experience the thrill of sitting next to old Mr. Henderson and his relentless bet sizing.
Hourly chip changes will also be necessary in order to keep the games fair and within your guests’ bankrolls. There is no point in making the blinds $20 each when Joe the Janitor only brought $40 in “money.”
Each time a new player joins the game they should post the same amount of chips as the current biggest blind. For example if the big blind is $2 then the new player would have to put in $2 to get the cards.
Likewise when a player leaves the game they receive credit for the amount of their big blind. So if Joe the Janitor decides to hit the buffet early he can redeem his $2 big blind for chips before leaving the table.
Casinos That Offer Free Play (No Deposit Required)Know the Rules
This may seem like common sense but you would be surprised at how many home games we have played in where even the dealer wasn’t quite sure what was going on. Although it may be boring, it is imperative that you and/or the dealer take five minutes before the game starts to go over the rules.
If you are unfamiliar with the official rules of Texas Hold'em check out the link below and familiarize yourself with the basics. Small variations such as antis and straddles are allowed but be sure to notify all players of any special rules before beginning the game.
Have Extra Games Prepared
No matter how hard you try not everyone at your party is going to share your love for No-Limit Hold’em. To keep things interesting you should be prepared to run a variety of games including but not limited to:
- Texas Hold’em
- 7-Card Stud
- 5-Card Draw
- Omaha
- Crazy Pineapple
- PLO Hi-Lo
You may also want to offer some non-traditional casino games for the non-gamblers such as ring toss, wheel of fortune and craps.
Don't Let People Get Frustrated
There is nothing worse than playing in a home game where guys are calling all all bets, draws and runs without imagination.
To keep people from getting frustrated you should encourage an interactive and loose strategy. Feel free to allow things like string betting and trading cards between hands.
Small bets and ante’s are also encouraged to mix things up and keep the action going.
Remember why you are throwing the party: It’s not because you want to WIN ALL THE CHIPS. It’s because you love poker and want to share the joy with others. Keep it friendly, keep it fun and everybody will leave happy.
More Casino Party Tips
We hope these tips have helped you plan the perfect casino themed party and that everything runs smoothly once the night arrives.
Even if you are on a budget there are still countless ways to throw a great casino bash. Whether it be through carnival games or themed decorations, adding a fun twist to your ordinary home game is a great way to get into the spirit of things.
If you are planning on running a huge corporate event however, things can get a little trickier. That is why we here at PokerListings.com have compiled the ultimate guide to hosting the perfect poker night for hundreds of players.
best withdrawal online casinoFrom casino party games to catering suggestions, we cover everything you need to know to successfully pull off a massive poker gathering.
Good luck with your party and as always, remember to have fun!
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