How to Be a Good Poker Host: Part 1-- The Playing Space

The time has come to take some time out and give some respect to the unsung heroes of poker nights, the hosts! These poor folks put in much time, energy, and sometimes money, in order for YOU to have an excellent time at whatever poker event you're playing.

How are we going to show our respect? Simple. We're going to show you how YOU can host this time!

This is the first in a multi-part series on how you can be the host of your next poker get together, and do it in top notch fashion. Read on to learn all you need to know about being a good poker host. Today's topic: The Playing Space. See you after the jump.

Way to go, you've taken your first step toward being a good host, and that's admitting that its your turn to host in the first place!

Today we're going to talk about one of the basics of hosting a successful poker get together. If you nail the basics, then everything else you do is gravy. This then begs the question, what are the basic needs of a good poker event?
Here's our list:

A Playing Space

Table(s)

Chairs

Cards and Chips

Food

Drinks

Extras

Lets take good close look at the first of these, the Playing Space.

Playing Space

This is the most basic element of a poker event, or any event for that matter. It is also often the most overlooked. If the space you choose to play poker in is not a comfortable space, than no matter how many times your guests flops trips, they still will not be happy. Let's take a look at what you need to consider when thinking about your playing space.

Size
The size of your get together will be dictated by the size of the space. Don't try to cram 15 players into a tiny kitchen, and don't have 5 players over to play in your grand ballroom. Choose a room that can accommodate the number of players you're aiming for comfortably, this includes their tables and chairs, since that's where they will be most of the time anyway!

Temperature
Please, we beg of you, don't try to host poker night in January, in the one room in your house with the leaky window. Nor should you try to host in your sun room in the middle of the summer. One key to a good space, is a comfortable temperature. Players will be a little bit warmer simply because its a room full of people, and usually its people who have increased body heat due to stress. So if its the time of year when you have the heat on, lower it by 5-10 degrees, and if its the heat of the summer, be sure to have an A/C or at the very least fans handy.

Distractions
While we're on the subject of fans (and open windows) this is a good time to consider "distractions". These are the things that will get in the way of the game play happening, and happening smoothly. Still not sure what we mean? How about these gems:

The host's pet dog / cat / ferret is loose int he room and knocks over tables / cards / drinks / people (oh yeah.. been there).

The host decided to hold the event outside, and the time was spent either itching from the million mosquitoes that came out of nowhere, or the hole cards kept flipping over thanks to gusts of hurricane force winds.

The host's neighbors decided that THIS night, was the night they would apply wall paper stripping formula, and the fumes were enough to make you see five aces.

Anything and everything that will get in the way of game play should be eliminated. If that means putting the "ball game" on in a TV in a separate room, do it. People can step aside to check the score, but poker is the main event, not the other sport (a muted TV works nice too). Keep your more rowdy pets locked up for the event, and if anything comes up mid-event, do your best to identify it early, and deal with it, whether that means adjusting whatever is a distraction, or even moving playing spaces. In short, don't let distractions get in the way!

Lighting
Another often overlooked aspect of a good playing environment, is simply having good lighting. If players can't see their cards, their chips, or their opponents, than poker is a very hard game to play. Ensure your playing space has enough lighting to read by, and yet still be comfortable on the eyes. Typically, one extra lamp in a darker corner will do the trick. Also remember, for the longer events, things start in the daytime, but you will need the lights to come into play as the night approaches.

Restroom
People will be sitting there, playing, likely eating, and most certainly drinking. That means they will need a restroom.

Your restroom should be easily accessible, and you should let new guests know where to find it. It should also be relatively clean. We're not saying it needs to be spotless, but it should not be a den of disease like that restroom at your local Mobile station.

Your restroom should have plenty of toilet paper (refills in a logical location please!). It should also have soap, water, and hand towels, because no one wants to touch chips that have just touched the hand that wiped an ass. We know what you're thinking: "But dudes.. I don't own a hand towel in my bachelor pad! It would go against the very fiber of my being as a single man!" Fine, then toss in a roll of paper towels, people will know what to do, and your reign as a single man will remain safe.

Conclusion
So with those elements in mind, you should have all you need to know at least WHERE your next poker event will happen. You also know how many people you expect to have, and your space will be large enough to accommodate them. You will have the space comfortably temperate, and free from distractions. You also will have a clean restroom ready to service the needs of your guests. Congratulations, you're well on your way to being a spectacular poker host.

In Part 2, we will take a closer look at the next of the key poker ingredients, the Tables.

Part 2 - The Table
Part 3 - The Chairs

April 25, 2007

How to Be a Good Poker Host: Part 1-- The Playing Space

Playing Space