The Poker Night is the very essence of male social events. A time for men to come together over felt tables with beer, cards, and cigars and harken back to the days of the old west or 1920’s Chicago. You’re Wyatt Earp and Al Capone rolled into one.

Having a poker night with your buddy’s is a great way to kick back and relax after a long work week, have a few drinks, tell some dirty jokes, and maybe take a little cash off your friends. However, hosting a great poker night is no different than hosting any other event so there’s a few things to keep in mind. Here are a few Poker Night Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

1. Think of the cards. Not trying to guess them psychically, think of grease and oil stains. Having snacks and food is a great way to pass the time and keep people from getting too drunk but consider cleanliness unless you’re going for a primal, man-cave type feel.


2. Allow players to buy back in. This isn’t high stakes in Monte Carlo, this is your rec room that your wife is begrudgingly allowing you to destroy for a few hours. No one wants to be that guy who goes all-in on the second hand of the night and then sits in the corner drinking beer and watching TiVo for the next four hours.


3. Set a Limit. Don’t let the pots get too big and don’t let the stakes get too high. This is a friendly game among friends and possible coworkers as well. There’s no need for friendships to be ruined and tensions to rise. Keep the limit high enough to let the game go on for a few hours but low enough so that no one is too sore about walking away empty handed.


4. Let guys sit out for a bit. Again, this isn’t the high rollers table, this is a casual game. Set some ground rules but don’t rule with an iron fist. If someone wants to bow out for a few hands to go to the bathroom, smoke a cigarette, call his wife, etc. let him.

Don’ts:

1. Drink too much. Be a good host and have enough beer and booze to keep everyone lubricated and entertained but don’t steer the evening more towards a frat party than a casual night among friends.


2. Let that guy buy back in again. You’ve already let him buy back in twice and now he’s betting the rent check. Someone needs to learn self-control


3. Play the same game all night. Switch it around. There’s literally dozens of poker games to add to the mix and keep things interesting.


4. Play winner take all. Not only will the games last until the wee hours of the morning but you’ll wind up with 5 drunk guys falling asleep in the corner and two bleary-eyed guys going “All-In” and folding back and forth for an hour until someone says @#$% it and calls. Set a hard limit on the end of the night and stick to it. There’s always next week!

Holding a regular poker game is a time-honored male tradition that is still alive and well. Remember to keep things light, casual, and fun and your poker nights will last for years to come.

Good luck.