Best Food, Drinks & Snacks for your Poker Home Game

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Jan 17, 2024 11 min read Last updated Feb 02, 2024

If you are planning a poker home game, a table, chips and cards are not the only things you will need. You will also want to get an array of snacks and food and drink options available to make your game an enjoyable one and to ensure players come back for more. Let's break down the best snacks, food and drinks to serve at your next poker home game.

The Top 5 Best Snacks for your Poker Home Game

Snacks are great as quick bites that you can set out on your table to keep players sufficiently sustained. They're not as much hassle or effort as meals, but can still add to your night and make it more enjoyable for your guests.

• Fruit
• Nuts
• Sweets
• Popcorn
• Crisps

#5 - Fruit For Your Poker Home Game

Many people forget to eat their fruit and vegetables, so why not remind them by providing it at your next home game?

Some good choices for fruits to bring to a home game include apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. Other fruits like watermelon, cherries and pomegranate can also make good options as long as there are plenty of napkins and washcloths around.

Why Serve Fruit at your Poker Home Game?

Fruit can be an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, meaning they are a great health option that you can provide for your home game players. Fruit keeps your brain going and will help the home game players stay sharp throughout long sessions.

#4 - Nuts For Your Poker Home Game

All poker players enjoy hitting the nuts, so why not bring a bowl of them to the next home game? Some nuts that would make a great home game addition include peanuts, cashews, macadamias, pecans and hazelnuts.

Peanuts and pistachios may be too messy an option, but proceed at your own discretion as long as you have a broom handy.

Why Serve Nuts at your Poker Home Game?

Nuts are another brain food that can keep your players active as they play deep into the night. Nuts are known for being an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats.

#3 - Sweets For Your Poker Home Game

Healthy snacks like fruit and nuts aren't for everyone, and you want to make sure you have something for those sweet-toothed players in your home game. Grab some Skittles, Starbursts and M&Ms and put them in a bowl, or pick up a tray of pastries at the local bakery (the less messy, the better).

Why Serve Sweets at your Poker Home Game?

Giving players sugary sweets can help them stay alert as they lengthy poker sessions. If you are looking for healthier options, dark chocolate is a great consideration.

#2 - Popcorn For Your Poker Home Game

Popcorn isn't just for movie time. Popcorn can be a great home game snack both for players who enjoy savory and sweet offerings. Some of the best options are traditional buttered popcorn, kettle corn, and plain popcorn with added seasonings like ranch or caramel.

Why Serve Popcorn at your Poker Home Game?

Popcorn is a cheap and easy snack and is always a hit at parties. Additionally, it is easy to share and can easily be passed around a poker table.

#1 - Chips for Your Poker Home Game

Whether it's a bag of Doritos or some tortilla chips and dip, chips can make the perfect home game snack. Consider picking up a few bags of chips and making a dip or guacamole, but you also can't go wrong with a regular bag of potato chips.

Why Serve Chips at your Poker Home Game?

Similar to popcorn, chips are a great snack that can easily be passed around a poker table. If you get chips and salsa or a dip, you can place them on a nearby table.

The Top 5 Best Foods for your Poker Home Game

You can't go wrong when it comes to getting food for your home game, but some items that are sure to be fan favorites with the players are wings, nachos, hot dogs, burgers and pizza.

• Wings
• Nachos
• Hot Dogs
• Burgers
• Pizza

#5 - Wings for Your Poker Home Game

Chicken wings are a hit at Super Bowl parties and UFC fight-watching parties, but they are also a nice option for a poker game. Buffalo wings are an easy choice, but consider BBQ and garlic parmesan options for the players who want something milder.

Why Serve Wings at your Poker Home Game?

Chicken wings are a great and cheap option for having a group of people over, making them a great choice for home games. Be sure to have plenty of napkins around if you are serving saucy bone-in wings, but a better option may be to get boneless wings and break out the utensils.

#4 - Nachos For Your Poker Home Game

You know those chips you bought earlier for the home game? Set aside a bag or to and get some cheese and toppings and you can serve nachos as another option. Once again, you will want to make sure you have napkins and utensils.

Some toppings you may want to add include chicken, ground beef, beans, jalapenos, sour cream, and salsa.

Why Serve Nachos at your Poker Home Game?

Nachos are a great snack for large groups and can be made with just a few ingredients. Once again, you will want to make sure you have napkins and utensils.

#3 - Hot Dogs For Your Poker Home Game

Hot dogs are a staple of baseball games, and they may also make a great addition to your poker home game. Get some buns or serve them on a plate with a fork and knife.

Keep your guests happy by providing a variety of toppings, including ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, sauerkraut and coleslaw.

Why Serve Hot Dogs at your Poker Home Game?

Hot dogs are a quick and easy option for a home game and are probably best in the summer time when you have access to a grill. Players can eat with one hand and peel their cards with the other.

#2 - Burgers For Your Poker Home Game

Right up there with hot dogs as one of the best food options for large gatherings are burgers. A pack or two of hot dogs and some buns should be perfect for your home game. Some toppings to consider include lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Why Serve Burgers at your Poker Home Game?

Like hot dogs, burgers are a quick and easy option for those who have a grill handy. They aren't as messy as wings and should keep everyone happy, provided you have the right toppings.

#1 - Pizza For Your Poker Home Game

For those who don't have a grill or don't want to make a run to the store, it may be best to order in a few pizzas. Depending on how many players how have, order a pizza or three and get a few orbits in before it arrives.

Some toppings to consider are cheese, pepperoni, ham and pineapple, meat lovers and a vegetarian option.

Why Serve Pizza at your Poker Home Game?

Pizza is probably the easiest food option on this list and should keep everyone in the game happy. The players will be more likely to come back if they know the host is one to provide a few boxes of pizza.

The Top 5 Best Drinks for your Poker Home Game

Now that you have food and snacks covered, it's time to take a look at the best drink options to provide in your poker home game. From keeping people hydrated to energized, it is important to have plenty of options for the players in your game.

• Water
• Spirits
• Energy Drinks
• Sodas
• Beers

#5 - Water For Your Poker Home Game

Water is an old staple and is a natural pairing with long hours at the poker table. Pick up a few cases of bottled water and put them in a cooler to keep your players hydrated and playing all night.

Why Serve Water at your Poker Home Game?

Casinos and poker rooms will provide water to players, so your home game shouldn't be any different. If you want someone to stay in the game for hours on end, it will help to keep them hydrated.

#4 - Spirits For Your Poker Home Game

While staying hydrated is important, it is also important for players to have fun. Consider picking up a few bottles of spirits or liquor and making a few cocktails for the players in your games.

Some easy cocktails to make include Daiquiri, Manhattan, Martini, Old Fashioned and Vodka Tonic.

Why Serve Spirits at your Poker Home Game?

Most poker players are casual and social players and enjoy mixing it up and having a good time at the table. Putting alcohol in the mix is a sure way to keep the night entertaining, but you should also make sure no one goes off the rails.

#3 - Energy Drinks For Your Poker Home Game

If you are planning on playing late into the night, energy drinks are a sure way to ensure players stay awake, alert and engaged. You can't go wrong by picking up a pack of Red Bull, Monster or Rockstar.

Why Serve Energy Drinks at your Poker Home Game?

While not the healthiest beverage, energy drinks are great for keeping people alert and awake while they are playing poker late into the night. Plus, they can easily be mixed with spirits and liquor.

#2 - Sodas For Your Poker Home Game

For the guest who isn't looking for an energy drink buzz, consider providing a few soda options. Some sodas to consider include Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Crush and Root Beer.

Why Serve Sodas at your Poker Home Game?

Soda is great for the guest who isn't looking to drink alcohol or energy drinks but still wants something to sip. Cases of soda are cheap and can be picked up at any grocery or convenience store.

#1 - Beers For Your Poker Home Game

Let's face it: beer may be the ultimate home game beverage. Consider picking up a few 12 or 24-packs, depending on how many players will be at the game.

Some cheaper options to consider include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Banquet and Budweiser, while some higher-end options include Corona, Samuel Adams and anything from local breweries.

Why Serve Beers at your Poker Home Game?

As most people learned in college, beer is great for social gatherings and group activities. This makes it an ideal offering for a poker home game where players are looking to gamble and play cards with their friends.

How Much Should you Spend on Snacks, Food and Drink for your Poker Home Game?

While there is no need to go all out when it comes to providing food, snacks and drinks at your home game, you do want to show your guests that you care and want them to come back for the next game.

A good measure is to get $10-$15 worth of food and snacks for every player who will be at the game. If there are three players, consider budgeting $30-$45 to get a few basic items. But if there are 10 players in the game, it may be time to spend $100 to get a few food items and beverage options.

Should I Ask Everyone to ‘Chip in’ Money for Snacks, Food and Drink at my Poker Home Game?

If you are spending $10-$15 per person, it isn't unreasonable to ask each player to contribute that amount.

Another way to approach it is to make the game's big winner pay for food and snacks for the next game. This means the big winner has to return and also gives losing players an opportunity to get a free meal while trying to win their money back.

Should I Cook Food for my Poker Home Game?

Many poker players would appreciate a home-cooked meal, so consider firing up the oven or grill ahead of your next home game. That said, nobody would blame you for calling for take-out and getting a few pizzas for the group.

Poker Home Game Food, Drinks and Snacks FAQs

Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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