How to Host the Perfect Poker Home Game: Who to Invite

Best Buds

This is your bread and butter. You want to invite your closest friends because you know they are trustworthy and good people to be around. You can call them up on short notice and fill out your game if you need.

Pros

It’s way better bluffing someone you’ve known for years Even if they dominate you at the table you may get a free drink out of it later Ability to taunt your friends for years to come

Cons

They’re probably going to borrow money They may not leave They’re pretty damn offensive

Co-Workers

Co-workers are a great source for fodder at the poker table because you know they make money! Putting the word out in an office is a good way to build your game quickly.

Pros

You know where your opponents work so collecting is easy Poker can be a bonding experience You’ll all be equally tired at work the next day

Cons

Bluffing your superior out of a $100 pot could make things interesting the next day Things get awkward when crazy Phil from accounting suggests everyone put their next paycheck on the line Bill Lumbergh keeps reminding you about your TPS reports

Members of the Opposite Sex

This is a tricky one. If it’s an all-guys game it sounds great to get a couple good looking women in on the game. The thing is it can change the dynamic considerably.

Remember you’re not going to look very attractive to a member of the opposite sex if you bluff them out of a $100 pot and dive onto the table to perform a chip backstroke.

Conversely ladies’ poker nights work very well and sometimes women feel more comfortable just playing with other females. Proceed with caution.

Pros

Game tends to be more civil Your home game could conceivably double in size The game is usually more relaxed and fun

Cons

Game tends to be more civil Sleeping on the couch for check-raising your wife/significant other sucks If you’re a guy, losing a massive pot to a girl who had “double kings” might hurt your ego In the poker game of life, women are the rake

Professional Poker Players

Poker pros are a long shot, of course, and will arguably destroy the game for everyone else. On the plus side you have a shot at getting your game televised!

Pros

Good story to tell all your friends

Cons

You will lose all your money Several pros keep nagging you for a buffet comp Phil Hellmuth keeps referring to you as an “idiot from Northern Europe” They’ll convince you to “play with the pros” then simply take all the money on the table and wait for the DOJ to come for it

Upcoming articles on How to Host the Perfect Poker Home Game:

Part 1: Equipment Part 2: Hand Rankings Part 3: How to Play Part 4: How to Set Up Part 5: What to Drink Part 6: What to Eat Part 7: Who to Invite Part 8: Etiquette Part 9: How to Beat your Friends Part 10: Cheaters Part 11: More Games, More Gamble Part 12: Odds and Exceptions Part 13: Which Hand Wins Calculator

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