You’ve invited some friends over for a poker night, and you’re ready to roll. But what do you need to make sure your home game is legal, fun and fair? Here are 10 things you need for a poker home game.
1. A copy of the rules
Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to the rules of the game. There’s nothing worse than arguing over a hand when you’re not sure who’s right.
2. A dealer button
This is a must-have for any home game. It helps keep things fair and ensures everyone gets a turn at being the dealer. Resist the urge in using something innocuous like a mobile phone as people can easily forget it’s meant to denote the dealer position.
3. Poker chips
You’ll need enough chips for everyone to start with a reasonable stack. Most home games use a colour-coding system to denote different values. A decent poker chip set is worth investing in too as players won’t like playing with the lightweight plastic chips.
4. A quality poker table
This isn’t essential, but it definitely makes the game more enjoyable. A good poker table will have a smooth surface for easy dealing, and plenty of space for everyone’s chips and drinks.
5. Comfortable chairs
You could play on the floor, but it’s not going to be much fun. Make sure everyone has a comfortable chair to sit in, so they can focus on the game.
6. Good lighting
You need to be able to see your cards, so make sure the lighting is good. Table lamps are ideal, as they can be positioned to avoid any glare.
7. A TV or radio
Poker can be a long game, so you might want some background entertainment to help everyone stay focused as music helps concentration. It also enhances the ambience and improves the overall atmosphere of a poker night, otherwise all you hear is chips clinking together.
8. Refreshments
Poker nights can go on for hours, so make sure you have plenty of food and drink to keep everyone going. Soft drinks and crisps are a good shout although beer and takeaway food is often consumed in British poker games.
9. A cash float
This is important if you’re playing for money. Make sure you have enough cash on hand to cover any pots that are won. It’s probably worth investing in a safe deposit box with lock and key so the cash float is secure too.
10. A plan for dealing with disputes
No matter how fair you try to be, there will always be the odd disagreement. Have a plan in place for how to deal with any arguments that might arise, so you can keep the game flowing smoothly.
Image Source: Pixabay
