Go to a poker night somewhere and you will probably have certain expectations of what the night will be like. For one, you’ll expect there to be competitive poker (of course), but you will also expect things like refreshments to go along with the evening and add to the ambiance.
Below, we’re exploring what goes into poker nights including some ideas for the foods that can be served – only certain snacks really work, and people don’t really have time to sit and eat a big meal with a knife and fork while they play or watch the action, making things like finger food and sweet snacks ideal.
Running a Poker Night
Running poker nights has become so much easier in recent years, as people don’t necessarily need to buy equipment or have a poker set. Online poker options mean that people can connect to a big screen and play poker via online platforms. People can also use things like iPads and iPhones to connect to a poker game, as the casino classic is revolutionized by technology. Finding the best online poker website makes it easy for people to connect via a variety of devices and play in an organized tournament or in a cash game.
Poker sites definitely take away some of the considerations of a poker night, and you don’t need a collection of poker paraphernalia, for instance, so it is easier in that respect, but it is still important to keep guests comfortable and keep the food and drink flowing.
Food Ideas
Novelty and even amusing poker-based foods can be a good idea for those who want to get a laugh from their guests, but hosts should think about functionality first and foremost. Poker nights often have a lot of people in attendance, and just like in a casino, finger foods might be best. Consider the types of foods that people can grab off a tray or a plate and eat easily, not needing cutlery.
Straight away, you might be getting some ideas – things like hot dogs, and skewers with meat and vegetables on them can be the ideal option for people to grab and eat something that keeps them full for the evening, along with certain types of Mexican food. Tacos can potentially be a “grab” food but make sure there is a plate to catch the mess! The same goes for these tortilla-based pull-apart snacks, perfect for the occasion but be prepared to catch the mess.
Poker hosts are also likely to think about the preparation involved. You probably don’t want to spend all day coming up with delicious foodstuffs for people to eat and be gone in seconds, and food that can be prepared quickly and relatively easily will usually be a winner for your party. Hot dogs and similar party foods again win the day here, but if you want to be a bit more fancy, things like fancy breads, tarts, and other party food can still be easy to prepare.
Aspiring chef? This can be a chance for you to go all out and create something to wow your guests, but you don’t have to want to be the next famous foodie to do so, and there are plenty of ways to create a delicious meal for guests at a poker party.
Snacks
Snacks are always welcome at these kinds of events, and things that people can grab a handful of as they need are a good idea, such as chips. Chips may be the most appropriate snack of all, of course, due to the poker-themed name! Snacks like pretzels and nuts are also simple ways to refuel peoples’ energy tanks while keeping them satisfied. Healthier choices can include dips with vegetables, such as celery sticks and carrot batons with hummus or other dips.
Sweet Treats
Sweet treats will always go down well, did you know that you can even find some sweet foods that have poker themes already? Poker chip designs have made their way into chocolates, and you can buy chocolate coins that have a poker chip design on them! You can always incorporate these into other desserts like cupcakes. You’ll notice that a lot of dessert foods and sweet foods recommended for these kinds of parties are actually very small and bite-size too, leaving the hands free for playing poker!
Conclusion
You may already know your guests and the kinds of things they like, and it could be that a few pizzas and snacks like chip and dip could be perfect for the crowd, but this is also a chance to embrace the theme with sweet treats that have a poker design or even some casino-inspired drinks. Once the poker is taken care of, the food and drinks you’ll serve can be a chance to get creative.
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