With the new year comes new ways to have fun, right? Now that we’re well into the new year, there is no better time to switch up your social plans and pack in dates with friends. Though we know that the holiday season was fuelled by social activities, it was more of a merrier affair than some good old-fashioned games nights. No matter whether it’s catching up with friends who live across the city or changing your weekly coffee meetups for something a little more fun – hosting a games night is one of the top ways to mix things up.
The best thing you can do as you head into the New Year is to make plans and have some fun, so we’re here to help you with all the details. We’re breaking down the norms and sharing all the hot tips about hosting your own Vegas in the house. From fun and creative games that mimic the real deal, to drinks and nibbles that need to be served, we’re dishing up all the details.
Why you need to host the next casino night
Nothing says fresh start quite like spinning a wheel or laughing around a poker table with all your nearest and dearest. Hosting an at-home casino night with games like slots and roulette is a fun way to turn any regular game night into one that dazzles. No need to trek to your nearest city for the casino: just gather all your friends and get the games flowing. Hosting a casino night from home is about bringing the casino magic straight to the house – and why wouldn’t you want to do that? So pen and paper at the ready, here’s everything you’ll need to get started.
Set the scene
The first step toward the perfect casino night at home is to set the mood and bring the bright lights of the casino into reality. We’re not telling you to run out to the store with a Vegas-sized budget – no, this can be done with whatever budget you have. With a few touches and a little sprinkle of creativity, you’ll soon have your living room looking like the gambling den of dreams. 007, eat your heart out. We’ll go into more detail further on!
Choose a theme
Just like with any event or meet-up (virtual or in-person), you can’t begin planning it until you have chosen a theme. Are you dreaming of the ultimate Bond experience, or are you looking for Las Vegas Glitz and Glam? Pick your theme and stay with it – that way whatever decorations you’re on the hunt for will all match perfectly when placed together.
Pick your games
We know that all casinos have thousands of games to choose from, but a games night from home needs to be toned down just a little bit. Pick your favorite casino games that would be easy to host, and set up stations in the room for each one. Print out posters to place near each station, so your friends can waltz around the room exploring all that your home casino has to offer. Make sure to pick casino games that people tend to choose from, like roulette or poker. These types of games are known for being popular and will catch people’s interest most effectively. We’d recommend choosing a roulette game online and then setting your laptop up — as nothing can beat the virtual effects of roulette in HD. All other games like Poker and 21 can be in physical form, but by adding an online twist, there’s much more variety (and it won’t take up as much room!).
Decorations
Back to decor. Decorations really are the star of the show of any casino; just look at the real deal and see for yourself. From the tables adorned with red velvet to the gold chandeliers and glassware – the casino is known for the most beautiful of interiors. You too can do this on a budget, so whether you’re splashing the cash or DIYing, here are some of the most important bits of decoration:
- Table settings: Cover your tables with tablecloths in any fabric. You can go cheaper with felt, or jazz it up with some velvet fabric. This mimics the real casino tables, and then all you need is some poker chips and cards placed along the top.
- Lighting is super important as it can make or break the theme. Keep it cozy and dramatic with dim golden lights, so it gives off the Hollywood Glamour feeling. Use string lights, LED candles, or dimmable lamps throughout.
- Additions: Add pops of wall art, dress the tables with beautiful glassware, and scatter fake money throughout the room. The more eccentric, the better!
Dress code
Last but by no means least is the dress code. The casino is renowned for having its customers dolled up to the nines, so make sure to set a dress code to reflect this. Suggest cocktail attire or tuxedos to make it feel as authentic as can be. If Bond’s not your theme, then you can always do a cozy casino night in, but the ball really is in your court.
Music
Last but by no means least, music! Don’t forget to finish your planning with a bomb playlist that screams Las Vegas. Casinos love jazzy instrumental music with upbeat songs, so make sure to steer away from any power ballads or emotional tunes. The last thing you want at the end of the night is for Olivia Rodrigo to come on and ruin the vibe.
Simple! All you need are these six easy steps – and Vegas will soon be in your home. And hey, if you want an extra twist? Why not create some simple Q&A games for guests who want a break from the casino fun? We’ve got a great list of questions already prepared for you!
Chase Ortiz is part of the team at PaigeSimple, where he takes care of all the advertising requests. With a sharp eye for detail, Chase makes sure every advertising opportunity is handled smoothly, helping the site grow and reach more people. His ability to manage these tasks efficiently makes him an important part of the team.