Hosting Your Own Poker Night
Another fun way to raise funds is hosting a charity poker tournament featuring the wildly popular Texas Hold’em. Many nonprofit groups and schools have replaced traditional fundraising events with a fun evening of Texas Hold’em because these poker tournaments draw big crowds and produce a substantial profit.
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- Hosting Your Own Poker Nights
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Host Your Own Poker Night
Raising Funds With Texas Hold’em
Getting started
Here’s how to organize your own charity poker night. You’ll need a large meeting hall for your event, so check your local regulations for acceptable locations for these types of charity gambling events.
Many of the fraternal lodges – Shriners, Moose, Elk, VFW, etc. – have the necessary permits already in place. And, they oftentimes have all the supplies you need as well.
Poker supplies
You can also rent tables and chairs, and sometimes even poker chips, from party furniture rental stores. Some even offer decks of cards and the dealer’s shoe. Call around for these package deals as they can save a lot of extra expense.
If you can’t find these supplies locally, check online as a lot of websites offer great deals on every conceivable poker-related item.
Publicity
To guarantee a big turnout of poker players, you’ll need to get some good publicity. Put together a press release featuring the standard “who, what, when, where, and how” format. Be sure to emphasize the fact that it’s all for a good cause.
Your summary paragraph needs to name your organization, state succinctly why you’re raising funds, emphasize that it’s a fun event even for novice players, and highlight any extra prizes offered.
Distribute your press release to all the media outlets in your area – newspapers, radio, and television. Usually, each has a single point of contact for press releases and they see dozens each day.
That’s why you want yours in a professional format with a good summary paragraph up top. Having a newsworthy angle such as a grand prize or a heartwarming story about what the funds from your fundraiser event will provide is very important.
Prizes
Offering a grand prize such as a seat to the World Series of Poker (a $10,000 value) will ensure a turnout of hundreds of players. Check their website for qualifications required to host a Texas Hold’em play-in tournament.
Cash prizes for different categories are also popular. Group your tables into novice, intermediate, and expert ranks or something similar where table limits and skill sets vary. Then offer various prize levels for each category. Oftentimes, winners will donate a portion of a cash prize right back to your cause.
Raising funds
Your group makes money in several ways. Depending on local regulations, you can collect a percentage of every pot, charge an admission fee, or other ways.
You can also sell food and drinks, auction off donated items, offer event t-shirts or poker related items, organize a raffle for a big prize such as a big screen TV, or include just about any other type of additional fundraising activity at your poker event.
Summary
Charity poker is a huge draw and it’s surprisingly easy to put together your own tournament. Make some phone calls to find a location and supplies. Just be sure to follow all the state and local regulations.
Hosting Your Own Poker Nights
Get the word out about your event and your cause. Line up some prizes for the players and add in some extra moneymakers for your group.
Then sit back and enjoy a fun night of Texas Hold’em at your very own charity poker tournament!
More Ideas For Fundraisers
The lights, the sounds, the thrill when you hit the jackpot! Las Vegas definitely brings excitement to mind, so why not bring it to your next event? Whether you’re planning a corporate party, birthday celebration, or throwing a bachelor or bachelorette bash, Casino Night is always a winner.
Plan Your Own
Hosting a DIY Casino Party at home can be as casual or as sophisticated as you want it to be. However, the essentials are the same. Make sure you have these items on deck for a fun night:
- Poker Chips
- Dice
- Playing Cards
- Poker Table Cover
- Dealer Visor
If you want to take things a step further, you could hire a professional dealer to get things started! If not, look over the basic rules for some of the most popular card games, which include Texas Hold ‘Em, Blackjack, and Baccarat.
Break out the fancy glassware, cigars, and finger foods to complete the night.
Hire a Professional
While DIY is fun, hiring a professional can take your party to the next level. Most Casino Party companies bring Roulette wheels, Craps tables, slot machines, and can teach you all the rules before you begin. It’s probably best to have a bigger venue when hosting this type of event, though.
Hosting Your Own Website
Don’t forget the Las Vegas style entertainment! If your space allows for a full show, check out Tribute Bands that really set that Vegas vibe. Tributes to The Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson can all make for great entertainment at your event. Dueling pianos and big swing bands are also some options to add some vintage feel to the party. If you want something more interactive, try booking a Comedian, Magician, or Hypnotist to really get your audience involved.
Whether you host your own or bring in the pros, a Casino Night is an unexpected twist on your celebration, and is sure to leave your guests feeling lucky!