Fire up the cigars and shake the martinis. The achievement of your playing host to the perfect poker party is just a few paragraphs away from being complete. Here you will find your comprehensive guide on precisely how to throw the perfect poker shindig.
Know the Rules
It never hurts to brush up on your game. Whether you are playing 5 card draw, Let it ride, Pai Gow or Texas Hold'em you can find all of the rules for a good poker player at Poker Rules Online.
Pass the Chips, but Don't Eat Them
The best and most authentic poker games come equipped with casino-style chips. You can find these rather inexpensively online or at your local party store. Even if you're playing for regular cash, poker chips are easier to ante up with.
The Name's Bond, James Bond
Think about a night at Casino Royale, and shake up a batch of martinis that are both clean and dirty for variety. Offer these up to guests in the casino theme of the evening, but remember to keep a clear head if you want to win the game. If it's poker night with the gals, you might prefer a batch of Cosmopolitans to wash down your snacks.
The Perfect Poker Partner
When you think about food for the perfect poker party don't confine yourself to chips and dip alone. Spice up your offerings with shrimp cocktail, pigs in a blanket or even small grilled scallops for some extra flair. Try to select foods that won't smear on the cards, and keep lots of napkins around just in case your party guests need to wipe off sticky fingers.
Swab the Deck
Make sure you have more than one deck to play with, in the event a deck gets damaged or a card get's "misplaced." Keep the game friendly by swapping one deck out in favor for an unopened one throughout the evening.
Know Your Limits
It's best for everyone (especially after a couple of martinis) to know what the cash limits for the game are, so it's your job as the host a.k.a. "house" to set them. This will help to avoid anyone getting in over his or her head, and keep the game friendly and amicable.
Atmosphere
Keep the atmosphere shaded, like what you would expect to find in a seedy poker parlor. Think old school Godfather movies, and switch out normal lightbulbs for colored reds or yellows. Or, adorn your lamps with colorful scarves to dim the lights in your personal poker parlor.
 | Planning a poker game party can provide a great night with the friends, but, if you want to do it right, you need to consider more than just "what time." Think about dress, decor, food and drinks, music, chair and table logistics, necessary equipment and local laws. |
 | Maintaining your poker face is one of the most important keys to success in a poker game. Not only must you avoid giving anything away to your opponents, but a good poker player is also a skilled bluffer, and able to mislead opponents into making false assumptions. |
You will be the ultimate card shark after you learn about the different poker variations. |
Casino Night parties are exciting and give guests a taste of Las Vegas style gambling, but may not include losing (or winning) lots of money in the process. |
If you're really creative, you can come up with a poker party tradition to make your poker night completely memorable. |
