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Blackjack DealerCommercial party companies usually have much better equipment than you can rent or purchase. Use their services instead of trying to do it yourself---unless you can build tables and create real card table layouts. You'd have to put in a lot of work to create that "casino feel" that will make your party a hit. Using a $5 blackjack tablecloth over a folding table may be less expensive, but you would still need dealers, cards and chips to accommodate your guests.
Party companies offer all the necessities for a casino party and employ dealers who will arrive dressed in the proper attire. These dealers will know all the card games and are experienced in teaching novices. -
Want to find the best deal? Get quotes from at least three party companies. Often, a party company will subcontract a casino party to a different company because the first company does not have all the equipment. This results in two profits that have to be paid. So when you get a quote, ask if the company subcontracts any elements of the party planning and if the company owns all the equipment needed for a casino party (e.g., tables, cards, chips).
Also, save money by declining additional items such as music or decorations. The ambiance for a casino party is primarily the casino tables and the dealers. Don't pay extra for the small stuff. Instead, turn on a classic oldies station for the musical background and pick up a few decorations from a party store. Nobody will object. - If you want to host a charity casino night, why not ask some of the more well-heeled donors to sponsor a table? Divide the total cost by the number of tables, and find a sponsor for each table. Place a small card on the table indicating who the sponsor is, such as "Sponsored by Jones Travel Services." Since raising money is your goal, give guests a chance to rebuy casino dollars. If you tell your party planner to have the dealers "play tight," the guests will lose more money and be prone to make more re-buys.
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Your casino party planner knows how many tables you will need based on the number of guests. Do not "go cheap" and use fewer tables than the planner suggests. There's nothing worse than half the guests enjoying a game, and the other half frustrated that they have to wait to play. Also, your planner will suggest using chips instead of paper funny money, which is a pain for dealers and guests alike. Each guest should be given a printed slip that indicates his buy-in; he can exchange the slip for chips.
Also, let your party planner determine the kinds of tables to set up at your event. Don't pick one of each kind of casino table if your planner suggests six Blackjack and one Craps table. The planner knows which games are most enjoyable and popular. Sticking your guests with Baccarat or Pai Gow won't be fun for anyone, especially when they could have been playing Blackjack. -
Timing is everything when it comes to a casino party. Let your guests enjoy dinner first. Too many times hosts insist the casino be open during the meal. That results in poorly attended games, or even worse, guests trying to eat, drink and play at the tables. The rule is: Eat, then play. If you plan to end the party at midnight, then it's reasonable to have the casino open between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., but ask your casino party planner not to break down the tables until the guests have left.
Casino parties are most successful when you work with a commercial party company. They'll keep you on track and turn your night into a hit for the winners and losers.
