If there’s one tradition among friends that has survived the incredible digital changes we’ve seen in gaming since the dawn of the internet, then it’s the good old games night. There’s a real skill to hosting the perfect games night, and today, we’re going to dissect all the main components that can help you wow your pals and create an unforgettable evening.
Find your niche
Games night can cover such a broad range of possibilities that it’s crucial to nail down exactly what type of games night you’re looking to host. If you’re a fan of casino games, then poker nights can be the obvious game to opt for here.
As the emergence of online casino gaming continues to dominate the industry and more people seek out video poker and other online games, poker nights have taken on a whole new meaning. They’re just as much about having people around and creating a memorable social event as they are about the game itself.
Luckily for poker fans, there’s a stark contrast between online casino games and land-based gaming nights. Digital providers are now in such demand that many sites have emerged where casino experts rank the best online casinos based on various criteria.
One of these brands – CasinoMeister – factors in payout speed, customer service, and withdrawal limits as key criteria, and applies it to casinos before deciding on an overall ranking. While poker makes up a small part of this, there are elements of a land-based games night that online providers don’t capture, and if you’re somebody who wants to make sure that their games night gets full marks across the board, here are some of our top tips:
Make it a democratic process
Meta has made it their aim to turn it into the central digital group chat hub for personal friendship groups, as well as the hub for corporate conversations. Now, I’ve got a host of WhatsApp groups I am part of. Some are archived from work chats and haven’t been touched since 2022. Others are chats with my friends and are the main way of staying in touch.
If you maintain contact with your friendship group this way or have other forms of group chats on Facebook Messenger, iMessage, email mailing lists or whatever you prefer, the best way to set a strong foundation for your games night is to ask those attending which games they’d like to play the most. Maybe whittle it down to three or four options.
There’s not much point in hosting a poker night randomly, not telling anyone until they arrive, and then four of the six people you invite don’t know how to play the game. Instead of posing an open question, you could choose three or four games, such as Uno, poker, Jenga, or charades, and have the guests vote on the final decision.
Gaming nights could incorporate board games, too, which have surged in popularity. Popular titles include Dungeon & Dragons and Catan. Perhaps you’re a video gamer and have kitted out your games room to host a Call of Duty or FIFA gaming night? There are so many possibilities – but be sure to run it by your guests first.
Prepare the environment
If you’re somebody who wants to plan every aspect of the game night, then ask yourself these questions:
- How many people are you expecting?
- Does anyone have any food allergies you need to accommodate?
- Are you ordering food or making it yourself?
- Will you buy the snacks and drinks, or are you telling your friends to bring their own?
That last question is based on my personal experience. I am usually the cheapskate who tells people to bring their own drinks.
Once you have sorted out the refreshments, how else will you prepare for the night? What’s the idea for the music? Will it be an AI DJ, which has transformed how many of us listen to Spotify, or a curated playlist with all your game night classics? Are you going to go for strong lighting or something a bit more mellow? Will the event be in the main living space or can you utilise a large kitchen or garage area?
I’m sorry if all of these things are only springing to mind now, but it’s better to prepare than to do things arbitrarily as and when people arrive!
Combine it with other ideas
If you want to take the edge off your game night, why not combine it with another idea? It could be an excuse to show off your new house or apartment, or a chance to boast with your new garden.
Whatever it may be, it could take the focus off hosting a games night and remove the onus of having to provide solely from a gaming perspective. It can act as a welcome break for your guests too, rather than having to sit around intensely for hours at a time. Adding a bit of variety can help set your games night apart from the rest of your friends and their attempts, and who knows, it might be the recipe for a perfect games night.
Summary
The main tip for a perfect games night is not to overthink it. Given the dozens of questions we have asked in today’s piece, you might think this sounds a bit contradictory. However, the foundation of a good games night is having a memorable time with friends.
Sure, the games are a bonus, but nothing can substitute for that social element of a games night. Keeping this as your main aim and catering to a great social experience rather than everyone having a faultless games night might be the right balance.
Overanalysing every element of the night and trying to control every direction the night heads in isn’t the right idea, either. It’s all about spontaneity and balance – that’s my motto. There’s no direct formula guaranteed to work, and it varies depending on the size of your friendship group and the dynamics.
Keep it light and organised, and be there to host. Remember these simple principles and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t go swimmingly. But if you want it to go perfectly, well, there are probably some elements that are beyond your control.
The post Tips on how to host the perfect games night appeared first on Bar Magazine.
