Not everybody’s ideal Friday night is spent heading down to the local for a few brews or hitting the nightclub scene. Some like the more sedate surroundings of home and all its creature comforts – but that doesn’t have to equate to a boring night in front of the TV binge-watching the latest streaming sensation.
Game nights are still hugely popular things up and down the country, as they provide a jovial get-together between friends and family, but with a competitive edge. They are a great way to spend an evening, but they can take a little foreplanning to get just right and extract the most out of the occasion.
There’s no end to the types of games that can come onto the scene for a game night. From classics like Scrabble, Risk, Cluedo, and Monopoly to modern options like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Cards Against Humanity, there’s a deep well to pull from. What game is on the menu is one of the first things to consider when planning a game night.
Game Curation
The first thing to think about is the type of friends that you have coming over for game night. If this is a more cerebral crowd that involves complex, testing challenges, then that hardcore gaming group will have different expectations and game considerations than a bunch of newcomers.
When there are newcomers to a group, it’s better to ease them into the game night experience by choosing easy-entry games like Exploding Kittens or Ticket to Ride. Also, consider the size of the group, so there is enough hands-on playing experience that everyone can get a fair, even input, with little downtime between turns.
Work up the guest list first, and also consider their personalities. Is the group likely to be competitive, or more chilled and laid back? This will all help with game curation to fit the group and encourage people to put their suggestions forth, as that will help you make the right choices. The group should determine the games.
First Impressions Count
Ensure to leave a good first impression on all guests. The moment they arrive, offer them a drink and a snack, and guide them into the environment, introducing them to other players immediately. There should also be a good ambience for people to walk into, with some light music playing in the background to bring a bit of energy while keeping things warm and inviting. The goal is to set a good positive tone for everyone, to ensure comfort and that any newbies don’t feel intimidated.
Food and Drink
Players will need some energy to continue throughout the evening, and you can’t have a game night without some good food. But this should be finger food, not anything that people would struggle with, like a bowl of spaghetti or tacos.
Finger food is going to be your friend, and for this, you can think of vegetable sticks and dips, crisps, cheese and crackers, and anything miniaturised like pizzas and sausage rolls. Remember that this is game night and you don’t want greasy fingers all over the board of the cards – and most importantly, don’t forget the napkins!
Set up a hydration station somewhere that’s easily accessible, with a good mix of beverages. By having everything out on display, it means that people can feel free to get up and get their refreshments when they want, rather than relying on you to serve everyone who wants a top-up.
The Right Space
Another way to ensure that everyone has a good experience is to get the space right. Clear out any unnecessary clutter and ensure there is enough good light to highlight the playing area so that cards, instructions, and any game board can be seen clearly.
Hard overhead lights can be distracting, so go for softer ambient lighting outside of the game area. Think about elbow room for players at the table, comfortable chairs, and minimise non-gaming distractions by turning off the TV and silencing phones.
Poker Night as Game Night
Once you’ve nailed the basics – space, food and guest list, it’s time to think about your headline game. One classic that never goes out of style? Poker night.
Hosting a poker game can be a brilliant main event, and is still one of the most popular games played at home. The most commonly played format of the game is Texas Hold’em, but there is a huge range of different types of poker games that can be explored if you are looking to change things up, with variations like:
- 5-Card Omaha
- Razz
- Horse
- 5-card stud
- 7-card stud
- Chinese Poker
- Badugi
Online poker is enjoyed by more than one million people across the world, all vying for their place at the table. But hosting a poker night is a great way to connect with friends in person and disconnect from the digital world that we are all so engrossed in. Whether you’re playing for chips, bragging rights, or just the laughs, poker brings a perfect mix of competition and conversation to any game night.
Reading The Room
A good idea is to pick a shorter, quick, fun warm-up game to get everyone in the mood ahead of the main event. Help guide any newcomers into the gameplay to help the mood, but don’t dictate their moves and be a dominating presence.
As the host of a successful game night, you will also want to ensure that you read the room well. Be prepared to switch games if the current one isn’t working well, as it may not be the right fit for the group.
If you spot players starting to yawn, their attention wavering, and increasingly longer breaks between plays, use that as a cue to start wrapping things up. It’s better to leave the group wanting more than having everyone leave exhausted and hesitant about returning.
Planning Is The Key
Game nights are great social events, and they go much better when some planning, care, and consideration are put into them. Eliminate as many potential distractions from the evening to allow the gaming action to be the focal point of a successful night.
