There are two types of poker night ...
There’s the half-hearted one: a packet of popcorn, a bent-up deck of Bikes, a pile of mismatched coins, and a mate who doesn’t know the difference between Texas Hold’em and Snap.
And then there’s a real poker night: proper cards, proper chips, a bit of atmosphere, and the sense that — for a few hours at least — you’re sitting in on the world’s greatest underground game.
This guide is for the second type.
Whether you’re playing for pennies, pride, or something a little heavier, here’s how to host a poker night that feels legit.
Step One: Know the Rules (and Choose the Right Game)
For beginners, Texas Hold’em is the classic — simple to learn, impossible to master. It’s the same version you’ll see in casinos, on TV, and in just about every smoky backroom where cards and cash meet.
⭐️ UK & EU Rules – By default, poker in the UK and most of Europe uses the “no limit” format. That means players can push all-in whenever they like. Blinds (the forced bets that keep the action going) usually increase every 20–30 minutes in tournaments, or stay fixed in a cash game.
⭐️ USA Rules – Exactly the same at the table. The only difference is legal: in the States, your home game might need to be strictly for fun unless you live somewhere that allows private stakes games.
Other formats worth trying once you’ve got the hang of Hold’em: Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and Pineapple (yes, that’s a real thing). I
If you don't know the rules, check out this pocket guide to get up to speed fast.
Step Two: Cards That Don’t Embarrass You
If there’s one non-negotiable, it’s this: get the cards right. Nothing kills a poker night faster than playing cards that bend, stick, and feel like they came out of a Christmas cracker.
Casino-grade cards aren’t a luxury — they’re the standard. Smooth, durable, and marked clearly enough to be read from across the table.
Check out our range of poker cards here — including The MAD DECK, built for both the underground mechanic and the weekend player.
Pro tip: keep at least two decks on hand. Swap them out between hands to speed up the game and stop anyone from “accidentally” bending or marking them.
Step Three: Chips (The Weight of the Game)
Real poker chips are more than just colourful counters. The moment you hear that clack of clay hitting the felt, you know you’re in the game.
You can get away with coins or matchsticks for points, but why would you want to? A decent set of chips does two things:
⭐️ It sets the stakes.
⭐️ It creates the vibe. Shuffling a stack of chips in your hand is half the fun.
Upgrade your night with a proper set of poker chips here
Pro tip: Make sure you have a good range of denominations and enough for the number of players you've invited - 50 per person is a good guide. 
Step Four: The Poker Set (One Box to Rule Them All)
If you’re starting from scratch, grab a poker set: cards, chips, dice, dealer button — all in one neat case. It’s the fastest way to go from “pub quiz night with mates” to “backroom game where legends are made.”
Sure, you can build your own collection piece by piece, but there’s something about cracking open that aluminium case and laying everything out that says we’re playing for real tonight!
Step Five: Learn the Moves (From a Mechanic, Not a Magician)
Poker isn’t just about the cards you’re dealt. It’s about what you do with them. The psychology. The sleight of hand. The story you sell when you push your chips forward.
That’s why Daniel Madison — card mechanic, consultant, and master of the deceptive arts — created a library of poker tutorials and downloads. Not magic tricks, not party gags, but the real inside knowledge on how to play, how to protect yourself, and how to win.
This 12-module course is worth its weight in gold if you want to become the expert at the card table:
Become the expert at the card table - video course
Final Word
Poker night isn’t about flashing neon or Las Vegas glitz. It’s about the feel of the cards, the weight of the chips, the tension in the air when everyone’s watching the river card turn.
Get the right rules, the right gear, and the right crew together — and you've got a game on your hands.
See you at the table.