Are you trying to organize a DIY poker night? Well, the good news is, it's not rocket science. The bad news is, people often make mistakes that turn the night into a dud.
But more good news: these common poker night blunders are easily avoided. Especially if you are aware of them in advance. So read up on our guide and find out exactly what you need to do to host the perfect DIY poker night.
And if you've had so much fun doing that, why not try a DIY casino night some other time!
If you've invited a good range of people over, it pays to let them know what game you're playing before they arrive. Every guest could love poker, but one might be a die hard draw fan (we're looking at you granddad), while another is all about Texas Hold'em, you've got a few PLO hard crew and then there's some whipper snapper who plays nothing but Six Plus.
Make sure everyone knows what they're playing in advance. And also decide on the blind levels and times, plus the buy in and, crucially in our experience, a rebuy cut off point. Having all the rules on the table means there'll be less whining on the night, trust us!
If you're hosting a DIY poker night, you've got to know the rules inside and out. So if you're a casual player, it pays to brush up on the ins and outs of whatever poker game type you decide on. Sure, you could listen to poker podcasts or read a few poker strategy books, but we think the easiest way to get your head around it is by playing the game yourself.
So before your DIY poker night, have a few online sessions. And if you're looking for somewhere decent, we'd recommend bet365. They've got a great range of tables, plus this bet365 bonus code for new players.
Hosting a DIY poker night can be a delicate balance. You can definitely have too many guests, leading to a completely unruly game that no one can really keep track of. And you can have too few, that can lead to a fairly short and predictable game. We think between four and nine people is just about right.
It's also prudent to think about the type of players they are too. A good mix will make for a better night, trust us.
It doesn't take a lot to host a DIY poker night and that's one of the reasons we love to do it. However, there are some crucial things you definitely need.
You need somewhere to play that can fit all the players invited. You need a flat surface (ie a table). A proper poker table isn't necessary, your kitchen table will do the job just fine. You also need to make sure you've got at least two decks of cards. Plus, borrow a set of chips. If you can't borrow one, you should be able to pick some up secondhand fairly handily.
Sometimes a poker night can take quite a long time from when the first cards are dealt until the winner is determined. What you don't want is for your guests to start getting irritated for reasons that can easily be avoided. One of the biggies is people who are angry because they're hungry. Hangry.
It's very easy to prevent against this. Just pick up a few bags of chips, a couple of frozen pizzas and some chocolate. Then everyone can have a nibble when they feel like it. And if you're into the GBBO, why not have a go at your own showstopping bake in the form of poker cookies.
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