How to Throw a Texas Hold'em Poker Party

One table, several close friends, and a night of fun, friendly competition. Texas Hold'em Poker is a great way to have some friends over for a casual, fun night. Food doesn't have to be extravagant and no one has to dress up, just an invite to come over and play some poker is all it takes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Call between five and ten of your friends for a night of gambling and partying. Texas Hold'em can have up to ten people playing and as few as two. Any number in between will work. Space around your table is really the only concern.

2. Purchase poker chips. You will need enough for those invited. Think fifty chips per player, but more is even better. Clay chips are a good investment and very nice to play with if you are planning to have parties often. Plastic chips will work just as good if you are not sure you want to make that investment yet. Divide them equally on the table according to denomination in front of each player.

3. Buy some colored felt the size of your table plus about eight inches to hang off the sides. This adds some ambience to the night as well as a poker table feel. It also saves your table from people tapping the chips on your table.

4. Lay a spread of finger foods out that can be snacked on during the night. Chips, salsa and chicken fingers are good examples. Pot luck is also a great option that doesn't leave you broke before you start playing. Everyone bring a plate or bowl of food to share, along with the spirits of their choice. The hosts provides the place, plates, glasses and game equipment.

5. Print out list of winning hands and simple rules for those who don't know the game well. It is hard to bet wisely if you don't know if your three of a kind beats another players straight.

6. Have two decks of cards on the table. One deck that is being used for the hand that is beig played and the other can be getting shuffled and cut for the next hand. It is easiest to have both decks different colors so they do not get mixed up.

7. Declare early in the game when you want to up the big and little blinds. This move makes the game go by much faster and isn't a rule, just a helpful nudge that gets the game moving.

[frankyf]

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