in this article The basics Creating the Casino Poker Drinks Munchies

The No-Bluff Guide to Hosting a Poker Party

Poker has long been a stronghold of guys night in, complete with pizza, beer, and a kitchen full of cigar smoke. The game, however, is gaining a wider audience, thanks, in part, to shows like Celebrity Poker Showdown and the World Poker Tour.

More people are hosting home games and with a little planning and you too can throw a winner-takes-all tournament. But it doesn’t have to be the stereotypical guys-only event. If your idea of a good time is more martinis and less cigar haze, turn your pad into a vintage poker palace for a night of Vegas-inspired glamour.

The Basics

Poker is a game where bets are placed based on the group of cards you hold in your hand. The person with the best hand wins the pot. It’s never that simple, of course, and there’s more than one way to play. Draw, Stud, and Hold ‘Em are a few styles (with dozens of variations). Then you add blinds, bluffs, antes, flops, and a host of other terms. Confused yet? There are several Web sites that explain the different games and teach you the basics (see sidebar). If there are rookies coming to the party, send them these links as well so they’re not totally lost.

	Peruse these links and you’ll be a card shark before you can say “Hold ‘em and fold ‘em” Poker Basics Beginner Mistakes Basics of Betting Poker Variations Got the hang of it? Check these out for more advanced strategy: Texas Hold ‘Em Reading your Opponents The Golden Rules of Poker Poker Terminology

Think about what kind of tournament you’ll have. Hardened veterans of the game will love a night of Texas Hold’Em, the wildly popular style featured on several poker shows, but since you’ve likely got a group with varying skills, a night of “Dealer’s Choice” is probably in order. For this, whoever is dealing the deck chooses the game, so there’s more variety.

If you’re playing for money (check your local laws first to make sure it’s legal!), determine a set buy-in amount. Everyone starts with the same number of chips, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. After all, the real fun of poker is trying to win the pot, but you don’t want anyone losing his shirt. Keep the buy-in at a comfortable level – enough to make the stakes exciting, but no more than your friends would spend on a night out.

Create your casino

For the mood, think kitschy casino glitter. Check your local party supply store for casino-themed decorations. You can probably rustle up some poker-chip plates, dice balloons or even a playing-card garland. Let your friends know to arrive in their casino best (if not tuxedos, then insist, at the very least, on tuxedo T-shirts). Set the musical tone with Vegas mainstays like the Rat Pack (or Wayne Newton, in a pinch).

For the game itself, there are loads of accessories available, from special tabletops to card shufflers, but you really only need a few basics.

Cards – Have a couple of decks per table – one in play and another shuffled and ready for the next hand.

Poker chips – If you play on a regular basis, you can buy professional grade clay or clay composite poker chips. For a home game, plastic chips are more than adequate. Plan for about 50 to 100 chips per player. Depending on how complicated you want to make the betting, get a two or three colours for different denominations.

Dealer button – In casinos, the dealer sits out the hand and while this isn’t a rule you need to follow at home, a dealer marker helps keep track of who holds the deck.

Poker night is perfect for a small group, but if you’ve got lots of friends (and lots of room), you could have a tournament with multiple tables on the go. A good rule is five to nine players per table. You could also have an extra table so those who tap out early can still play, sans betting. Better yet, set up a roulette wheel (available from most party rental companies) where they can try their luck.

	CHEAT SHEET Post this near the table to remind guests of hand hierarchy. That way, no one has to ruin a perfectly good bluff by asking if a pair of tens beats a full house. • Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and ten in the same suit • Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit, in sequence • Four of a Kind: Four cards with the same rank • Full House: Three of a kind and a pair • Flush: Five cards, any rank, in the same suit • Straight: Five cards, any suit, in sequence • Three of a Kind: Three cards with the same rank • Two Pair • Pair: Two cards of equal rank • High Card: If no one has a pair or better, the highest-ranked card wins

Mix some casino-inspired cocktails

For a Frankie-and-Dino-at-the-Sands kind of night, you’ll need to do better than beer. Shake up these tasty drinks between hands, add casino-correct swizzle sticks, and get everyone in the gambling mood.

• Blackjack
• Millionaire
• Manhattan (a few to choose from)

Whip up some retro nibbles

Maybe you don’t have room in your kitchen for a seafood buffet, but you can still channel vintage Vegas with creative takes on retro classics like:

• Shrimp cocktails
• Devilled eggs.
• Veggie poker chips and glam cupcakes are more apropos touches.

Just keep gooey or greasy snacks away from the playing table – you don’t want to gum up the cards. If you allow food at the table, pretzels or an M&M’s mix will keeps things neat.