SUPPLIES
- 2 decks of cards
- Gambling chip set with at least four chip colors
- 6 to 9 chairs
- Coasters (optional)
Overview
Poker can be a great party activity, either as part of a casino-themed evening or on its own. Setting up a poker table is easy and requires no special supplies.
Step 1
Consider fairness and space for people sitting at the table. When choosing a table and setting chairs, try to imagine peering at your own secret hand of cards. Can the players next to you see what you have? If so, you have chosen a table that is too small or set too many chairs. When in doubt, ask a friend to sit in the seat next to you, and attempt to see over his shoulder.
Step 2
Set the table for the game. Each player will need chips. If you plan to serve food or drinks, make sure that each player has a plate and/or coaster available.
Step 3
Set out chips in advance if your party has agreed ahead of time on the wager to be made. There are two ways of determining the number of play chips: direct or proportional representation. In direct representation, each chip is actually valued at its number. For example: red chips, which are worth five blue chips, are worth fifty cents. Blue chips are worth 10 cents. In direct representation, players may easily pay more money to reenter the game if they happen to lose. Players may also easily cash out at any point. In proportional representation, chips are worth set amounts that don't necessarily correspond to the amount of money paid for a buy-in. In this type of distribution, it's much more difficult for players to cash out early; these games are generally played to the last person standing.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : If planning an upscale poker night, hiring a professional dealer can greatly improve your poker-playing experience.
- WARNING : Try not to use a table with wobbly legs. Players will be sitting around it and leaning on it for hours; nothing is more annoying!
