In the past, we have given our readers advice on hosting the perfect poker night from home. Getting the basics down can be easy, but there are always more gadgets and accessories that you can use to make the experience even better for everyone involved. If you’re stuck on ideas, we have some suggestions below that should fit every poker squad.
A Smarter TV
When it comes to entertainment, every poker squad has its own preferences. While poker is the main attraction, some players prefer having music on or a TV playing in the background. If that’s you, you should consider getting a smart TV if you haven’t already.
Smart TVs offer a lot more entertainment than a standard model, so they can provide all the passive listening you need whether it’s terrestrial TV or online. It’s also a great backup for when someone sits out a round or goes bust early – now they have something to do. Smart TVs don’t just provide background noise, they can also browse the internet and find a lot of interactive entertainment, including online gambling. So, during a lull in the poker night, it’s possible to pull up the popular Starburst casino slot game on the big screen and take a break from the card table. Alternatively, video-sharing sites and streaming services are easily accessible with modern smart TVs, out of the box.
If getting a new TV is out of the question, there is a whole market of streaming sticks that add a lot of the same functionality to a standard model. If your TV has HDMI ports, then you can use sticks from Amazon, Apple, and Google to access a whole new catalogue of entertainment without breaking the bank.
A Pro Poker Table
Depending on your setup, you may or may not have a dedicated felt poker table to play on. If you don’t, you should consider getting one to truly capture the atmosphere of a poker game. The best tables are round for easy dealing, felted, and large enough to comfortably house every player, their chips, and anything else that’ll get put on the table like ashtrays or drinks. However, the table shouldn’t be too large, otherwise players will struggle to reach across it or grab things that are in the middle.
Now, assuming you have that covered, you should look at getting a fancier poker table complete with card/chip tray, cup holders and an LED lighting system that keeps all eyes on the action. There are a lot of pro poker tables out there, with high-end prices getting steep, so it can be quite the investment into your night. If you’re good at DIY, you can look into building your own table with some ideas here at Instructables.
A Card Shuffler
If you want to fit as many games as you can into your poker night, then you should consider getting a card shuffler. They ensure randomness to a mechanical degree, while shuffling faster than even an experienced human pro. This means you can spend more time on the game itself, and any other activities you have planned. When combined with all the other trimmings, an automatic shuffler also helps complete the professional atmosphere, if that’s what you’re going for.
Shufflers are also gentler on the cards, which’ll help your current deck of playing cards last much longer. Higher-end shufflers also have pre-programmed modes, so they can track specific types of poker and implement varied shuffling techniques. If you do prefer to hand shuffle, you can use some maths from Phys to ensure a fairer game.
These are just three accessories that can enhance your poker night. A new, smart TV can provide all the entertainment options you need while a pro table or a card shuffler can make the night more professional, more efficient and more enjoyable for everyone attending.
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