Poker is ever expanding in popularity as a theme for social gatherings. This is partly due to the increasingly televised poker tournaments. But whatever the reason, this article will serve as a quick guide to preparing for your own poker party.
The idea of a themed party is to set a mood conducive to the theme. So you will need a card table for the actual game and a separate table for the food. Get a black or dark green tablecloth for each table. The tablecloth will lend the illusion of a regulation poker table.
At each place setting on the game table, you will probably want coasters to hold drinks so that condensation does not get onto the cards. These coasters can be plain or if you want to be more festive, get coasters with the card suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) on them. You can find these at Party City, among other places or you can make your own.
I recommend using serving dishes that hold to the theme of a poker party (i.e. in the shape of or depicting cards/poker chips/suits), but if you cannot get these, use plain dishes that do not detract from the theme. Either way, you will want to set up the food in a buffet style. Poker parties are very informal so the buffet style will be just right. Provide disposable plates, bowls, cups, napkins, and cutlery. Again try to use themed items when you can.
Now we come to the food. You will want food that is clean, easy to prepare, and can be eaten with only one hand. The reason for this is that poker requires the use of a person’s hands when looking at and hiding one’s cards. If your guests are encumbered by food, they will find it difficult to play and be unhappy.
For a snack I recommend basic chips and dip. Try to avoid non-greasy chips as the grease will be transfered to the cards. Any kind of tortilla chip held in a bowl for your patrons and chili con queso will fit right in. The chili con queso can be purchased pre-made or you can make it as follows:
1 block Velveeta cheese (You can use any kind of nacho cheese for this, but I use the Velveeta because it melts very smoothly and quickly.)
1 lb. Hamburger
½-1 Tbsp. of chili powder
¼ tsp. Tabasco Sauce.
Brown the hamburger and mix chili powder with the meat as it cooks. Drain the meat and put it in a slow cooker. Chuck the cheese in with the meat and add the Tabasco Sauce. Set the slow cooker to low heat and cover. Stir and serve when the cheese melts.
For entrees, again stick with the finger foods. You can make cold cut sandwiches without vegetables or spreads. (Let your guests decide if they want those on their sandwiches by providing the veggies on a separate platter and the condiments in bowls.) For added flair, use cookie cutters in the shape of the four card suits to cut the pre-made sandwiches into festive shapes. If your guests are of the heartier variety, use a make-your-own sub spread. In other words have a roll/bread platter, a cheese tray, a meat tray, and a condiments assortment. Let your guests pick and choose what they want on their sandwiches. Just be sure that you have enough fixings that you do not run out.
The nice part about poker parties is that dessert is not expected. However, you could choose to make suit-shaped sugar cookies with the cookie cutters mentioned above or cupcakes with festive sprinkles. Whatever you choose, make sure that it does not make too much of a mess and can be eaten with one hand.
Finally we come to drinks. Drinks are an integral part of poker, but what you serve will depend entirely on you and your guests. The easiest way to deal with the drink issue is to have a cooler or refrigerator full of sodas and beer. That way the alcohol/non-alcohol issue is covered. If you want to take a more hands on approach to what your guests drink here is a suggestion for punch:
2 L. Hawaiian Punch (or other fruit punch)
2 L. Ginger Ale
Mix both together. Fill a jello mold with the mixture and freeze to make an ice ring. Put the remaining punch in a punch bowl with the ice ring just before your guests arrive. Makes approx. 16 (8 ounce) servings.
You will probably want more punch than that, so adjust the recipe as needed. Just remember to use equal parts punch to ginger ale. This punch will taste alcoholic, but as you can see it is not. If you choose, you can add alcohol to the punch or provide one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic version. If you do the last, make sure to make it clear to your guests which punch is which so they do not accidentally drink the wrong one. Also, be responsible; if your guests drink, make sure they have a safe way home so they do not drink and drive.
These are just a few food ideas you can prepare for your next poker party. Have fun.
