Planning the Perfect Poker Party

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Getting back into the swing of things can be tough. A great way to reconnect with your guys is to throw a monthly poker party. Here are some tips to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

For most newly divorced guys, it can be pretty hard getting back into the social scene. One of the easiest ways I found to ease back into things, reconnect with old friends and make new ones, was to organize my own Poker Night. However, I did make a few mistakes along the way and I am here to offer my “do’s and don’ts” to save you time, money and trouble.

DON’T Invite the Girls

One of the first mistakes I made was altering my invite list to include girls. Yes, it was a mistake because I found the guest list determined whether the “Poker Party” stayed a “Poker Party” or turned into a “Dance Party”. Don’t get me wrong, I love my female friends. I also love my married friends’ wives and my buddies’ girlfriends. But we are guys and will inevitably do something that someone finds offensive. So, to keep it simple and “clean”, just have the guys around for the Poker Party and nobody get’s hurt…or divorced!

DO Serve Food

Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure to host a dinner before the game begins. Investing a few dollars on food will payoff BIG for you in many ways. First, filling them up will help everyone avoid over-drinking. Whether you order pizzas or make my world famous Triple By-Pass Burgers, you are helping to ensure that your guys will not drive home in bad shape and you can feel good about that.

DO Have “The House” Get a Payout from the Winner

This is a great rule. In my house, I leave it up to the winner to “tip” me for hosting and I have always covered my costs with this tradition. I supply the house, the food, and two ice coolers with plenty of ice.

DON’T Supply the Booze

BYOB is always the best policy. You’ll go broke and you don’t want to be responsible for Jim’s fight with Jose Cuervo. I never supply the booze. It’s always BYOB.

DO Provide Details

Since you should always invite a good mix of old friends, new friends, and co-workers, make sure your invite, E-vite, e-mail, or flyer gives an outline on what to expect. Make your Party like an exclusive club or fraternity–give it name, give yourself a nickname and make it fun for everyone.

DO Make it on a Thursday

Most guys can get away on a Thursday night even if they have a significant other. Give them Friday night with their spouse or girlfriend.

MY RULES

  1. Make sure your first invite gives a theme. Last month, I had the IRS Refund Check Poker Party. The invite should include: your address, cell number, the date of the party, the start time, end time and dinner service time. Make sure that you set a cutoff time for the meal service and be clear that the games begin promptly after dinner.
  2. Send your invite five times.
    1. Send the first announcement at least 2 weeks in advance, preferable on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
    2. Send another email on the next Tuesday stating “REMINDER: POKER PARTY”.
    3. Then, on the week before, send yet another reminder stating, “NEXT WEEK: POKER PARTY”.
    4. The last e-mail should state, “RSVP for the Poker Party COOK” and make sure the guys know that you need a head count in order to plan your meal.
    5. Your last e-mail should be the day before (the Wednesday before Poker Night), just saying that you have the guest list.
  3. Have the guys RSVP by using the “reply to all” feature on their e-mail. Nothing is funnier than to read other guys’ lame excuses on why they can’t get a night out. It’s also a great way to develop new material for your next invite!
  4. No Fighting Rule (Automatic Expulsion, Lifetime Banishment): Clearly state that there is no taunting, teasing or being disrespectful at the event. Have players check their attitudes at the door and put on friendly, “I’m here to have fun and not be so damn serious” faces.
  5. No one can call another guy’s cards. The host always has the last say. He is the Judge/Godfather and holds the final ruling on who’s right or wrong.

Making your debut should also test your level of patience and responsibility to your friendships. Be sure to keep your expectations in check when it comes to your first event. There will be a few “no shows” and that is normal. Always double your invite list and expect half to show up. Also, be creative and create rules to allow your friends to bring their friends that fit your “club code”. Make sure you know how to handle the occasional cheater. Listen to both sides and know how to diffuse the situation. Sometimes you need to re-explain to the guys that it is just a game and the spirit of fun can be easily lost–so keep things cool. Don’t condone cheating and let the accused know that it’s better to fold, cash in, or leave before any escalating trouble begins. Either way, be the Judge and keep things fun!

I hope these ideas have helped and I am sure to hear and see lots of replies and other suggestions from our members on their own experiences.

Richard JaramilloRichard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com,
a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children.
RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents
“Make Life Happen…Again!”

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Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com, a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children. RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents “Make Life Happen…Again!”