How to Create the Perfect Casino Night at Home

Homebodies the world over collectively dread one thing more than anything else: being asked to leave their comfort zone, aka their home. No matter what your interests are, if you’re a homebody, you’re more likely to want to cancel that plan before it’s even made, brew a cuppa and get comfy on the couch. Being a homebody doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t enjoy activities, though, or being social; it just means you prefer to do both at home! If your friends suggest a night of glitz, glamour and fun, counter with the suggestion of a casino night at your place…glitz and glam optional, of course! Here’s everything you need to know to set up the perfect casino game night at home and have it feel just as good as the real thing.

The Games

There are lots of casino games suited to playing at home. Card games are always going to be the easiest, as a standard 52-card deck is cost-effective to get your hands on. Before anything else, we recommend considering games like poker or blackjack first, as they require the least amount of prep effort. If you want to get a little bit more fancy with it, you could rent genuine craps tables and roulette sets or check out adult toy stores for smaller replicas that will likely put much less of a dent in your pocket.

Slot games are a lot of fun, but how do you get one in your home? It’s simple: ask some friends to bring their laptops and set up a slot station at the kitchen or bar counter with your laptops all lined up and open to your favourite local online casino.

Real poker chips can be very costly, so if you dont think casino night is something you’re going to do as often as once a month, avail yourself of something else to use in place of chips. You could even make your own with your own invented casino name on them from things like high-density EVA foam, scraps of wood or firm cardboard. Don’t forget to assign different values to different chips.

Since this is your casino night, you can make it as casino-esque or otherwise themed as you like! You could keep it classic with the games we mentioned above, or choose silly games like Go Fish, Uno or other card games if you don’t feel like being totally grown up. This is your event after all!

The Set Up

For casino night, you’re likely to need at least one card table and space for chairs, a table for snacks and drinks and a place to relax. If you A- can’t fit a real card table into your home or B- can’t find a real card table, never fear! A round table is usually best, but any kind of flat surface with enough space would work ok, even a coffee table if you and your guests are comfortable sitting on the floor. You’re going to need cards and chips for whichever the games you’re going to play or a toy/ rented roulette wheel/ craps mat if you’re planning on going so far as to really replicate the casino experience.

Arrange your lighting so that your entertaining room looks a little more special and exciting than it usually does. Add whatever kind of fun lights you have around to bring that casino vibe into your home: twinkle lights, miniature neon signs, colourful bulbs- whatever gives you that fun, exciting casino feeling. Be sure you have sufficient light over the playing surface so that you and your guests can see cards or chips without straining your eyes.

Creating a casino ambience isn’t just about light; sound is important too. Many sound apps (think sleep sound apps like Atmosphere) will have a coffee shop, should track- people talking and glasses/ cups clinking. You might even get lucky and find an actual casino soundtrack somewhere like YouTube. Let this play softly in the background along with your favourite playlist to create the feeling of being in a bigger, busier space.

The Nibbles

No event is complete without something delicious to nibble and sip on so let’s talk snacks. Firstly, did you know that the humble and delicious sandwich was invented by a gambler? Legend has it that the 4th Earl of Sandwich ordered roast meat between two slices of bread as it was easier to eat at the card table than a full dinner. Follow his lead and provide snacks that don’t make your fingers too dirty, as this will transfer to the cards. Chips and playing surfaces. Think mini sandwiches without any drippy fillings, anything on a toothpick or maybe some cheese and crackers. Be sure to provide plenty of napkins and wet wipes as well as (reusable) straws for drinks.

If you’re feeling creative, you could try to create a unique cocktail or mocktail for your home casino and serve it on the night. Be sure to check everyone’s preferences and potential allergies or dietary restrictions for both food and drinks well before the time, so you’re sure that whatever you provide is safe and delicious for everyone attending.

The Dress Code

A dress code is whatever you want it to be when the event is at home! If you feel like being fancy, make it a cocktail attire event. If it’s freezing cold outside and you feel like being cosy and comfy, make it a cute pyjamas and furry slippers only event. Put your references above the need to be “casino accurate”.

Now You Know

Now you have all the info you need to make sure that your next at-home casino night is our best one ever.