Game nights are a great way to regroup with friends and spend an evening
catching up over a table game. Typically, poker is on the docket, as many are
familiar with its rules and have experience playing with friends or at casinos.
Even better, game nights are suitable for all occasions—birthdays, national
holidays, and even big promotions are great reasons to bring the crew together.
Even though game nights are perfect for year-round festivities, many home games
between friends are scheduled around Christmas and New Year.
Those looking to create the perfect set up for the holiday season won’t be deviating too far from the standard
fare in terms of gear, but there are a few specific gadgets that can liven
things up. After all, even though most poker games can be played with as little
as a deck of cards and a flat playing surface, most seasoned game nighters have
a particular routine and setup that’s uniquely their own.
Here are five tech gadgets that will enliven an at-home poker game night.
Automatic
Card Shuffler
Most poker groups have at least one talented card shuffler who’s eager to
show off their skills. However, manually shuffling cards can take valuable time
away from gamers—especially those who are playing more competitively.
An automatic card shuffler comes in all shapes and sizes for all types of
budgets. Keep a lookout for shufflers that can be adjusted according to shoe
size; many leading brands offer customization from two, four, and six decks.
Another element to consider is power—some use hand cranks, while others have
cords or run on batteries.
LED Chain
for the Table
A swanky table is often one of the most pivotal aspects of a functional and
fun at-home poker tournament. The table is the center of the action, where
guests will chat, play, and antagonize one another. From a technical
standpoint, it’s also where cards are played, which makes felt and similar
surfaces necessary so cards don’t slide or flip over.
Some of the best poker tables are antiques, with shined wood and an
ergonomic design. Many are hesitant to upgrade these for newer tables—but it’s
not always necessary to compromise. One helpful gadget is the LED strip light. These can be cut and pasted onto any
surface, making them ideal for inner poker table linings.
Remote controls let users choose which light color they prefer, as well as
light patterns.
Massage
Inserts
Times have changed, and comfort is of utmost priority these days. Massage sleeves or mats are one of the
easiest ways to add a touch of luxury to at-home poker nights. As mentioned
above, the most emphasis at game night is placed on the table, leaving guests
to hunch over in plastic or wood chairs meant for a dining room.
Massage inserts can be placed on seatbacks to invigorate players, especially
those with spine, back, or shoulder problems. Even better, a massage sleeve is
portable and fits most chairs, which makes sharing the gadget easy.
Chip Distributor
Also known as a chip calculator, this handy device will automatically split
chip stacks according to player number. Oftentimes, hosts will spend the first
thirty to sixty minutes trying to figure out which players should receive which
chip values, and how many of each according to buy-ins and blinds.
This gadget doesn’t just speed up this process but also makes it more
reliable. That’s right—no more early morning arguments about what the starting
blinds were.
The Shot
Clock
Those with experience playing in a brick-and-mortar casino in a larger city
or who tune in to major tournaments are likely aware of what a shot clock is.
During each round of play, poker pros have only thirty seconds to choose their
hand and act.
The shot clock is meant to keep players on their toes, keep the game moving,
and provide an added element of competitiveness for viewers. Not all game
nights will consistently use a shot clock (especially not one timed at thirty
seconds). However, it’s a great gadget to have around in case players want to
liven up the action and challenge themselves.