Poker Face!
Here are some terrific tips on how to keep the players happy, fed and engaged when hosting a poker party!
• First and foremost you need to assign someone to the role of Casino manager so that they can manage the time and create the necessary structure the game will require. Too many chiefs can result in chaos.
• Always separate the dab hands from the beginners to ensure that the beginners do not feel overwhelmed and the more experienced players are not frustrated by the slow pace of those not in the know.
• Ensure that everyone begins to play at the same time.
• Give everyone half an hour to settle in and chat for a while before the poker gets under way.
• Determine a strict agenda prior to starting the evening – perhaps when you send out the invitation (usually an email will do), state how much everyone will contribute to the pot.
• Strictly adhere to the agenda for blinds which are mandatory bets made before any cards are dealt and how they will be increased. Many players forget to increase their blinds and then the more serious players get thrown out of the game too fast.
• Ensure there are certain guidelines for freeze outs, add-ons, or re-buys.
• A “freeze-out” simply means that you buy your chips at the start and if you should lose all your chips, you are out.
• Some tournaments have a re-buy option where you can buy chips when you start to run out.
• At the end of a re-buy period, you can normally have one last chance to purchase extra chips – this is known as the add-on period.
• Ensure that you decide how much the chips are worth by finding out how much players are willing to spend – this makes little difference whether it is R5.00 or R5 000 per chip.
• Some crowds like to play for large stakes.
• Remember to get a table that will accommodate at least eight people at one sitting and one that is covered with a thin cloth with space for a chip set and a couple of decks of cards.
• Print out a couple of sheets with the ranking hands for the new players to use as a reference.
• Ensure the food is snack friendly, but keeps the kids out.
House rules – straight flush or royal flush?
