How to Host a Casino Night Party

Decide on your location. Your own home or backyard is an option for a smaller party. A fundraiser for a larger crowd will need a bigger venue. Contact your local recreation center or school to find a room to rent.

Send emails, social-networking invites or regular-mail invitations to everyone on your guest list. However you get the word out, be sure to include a date that people need to reply by. When you know how many people are planning on attending the casino night, your final party planning will be more accurate. If you are renting gaming tables, knowing the approximate head count is especially important.

Decorate the room with black, white and green balloons and paper products. Add streamers from the door frames and hang large cutouts of dice and playing cards from a party supply company (see Resources). The rest of the decor can come from the tables and games themselves, since most of the furniture in the room will be replaced with casino night items. You can also rent black velvet table covers with the game designs printed on top.

Plan out the casino night games. Some ideas include poker, blackjack, roulette and craps. Have rule info on hand for the dealer to refer to in case of any disputes. Rent, or purchase, the appropriate setups and supplies.

Serve bite-sized food on small paper plates or napkins. Steer clear of sloppy foods and choose instead basic appetizers such as chips and nuts. You can limit the amount of alcohol guests drink, or at least cut your costs, by handing out one or two drink tickets at admission. Guests who want to drink more can purchase additional beverages. Provide nonalcoholic options such as water, iced tea, coffee or soda.

Hand out awards or prizes throughout the night. You can have a prize for the best poker hand and one for the worst hand. Give the biggest loser a gift, and place a sticker on the bottoms of random chairs for a chance at a small door prize.