Key Takeaways:
- The quality of a poker tournament depends on the professionalism of the poker tournament company including experienced dealers, casino-grade equipment, and a focus on the guest experience.
- Before hosting a poker tournament ensure the event follows state and local laws; Reputable poker tournament companies should guide you through compliance.
- A great poker vendor will tailor the event to meet your needs, whether it’s a corporate team-building game, a charity fundraiser, or a competitive tournament with prizes.
- If hosting an online poker tournament: choose a company that provides a browser-based platform, live hosts, and time zone flexibility to accommodate all participants..
Ask These Questions to Make Sure Your Party isn’t a Flop
The right poker tournament company will get you in the game
Planning a poker party can be a great way to bring people together for a fun and engaging night of cards and camaraderie. Trust me, I’ve been doing this for 19 years and I’m what they call a “poker expert”. Whether you’re organizing a team-building event, celebrating a company milestone, or hosting a charity fundraiser, you want the right poker tournament company to stack the deck in your favor, (see what I did there?).
Not all poker tournament hosting companies are the same. Obviously, I’m going to be biased towards The Poker People but the following tips will be beneficial no matter what company you choose to run your tournament. Here are the five most important things to consider when hiring a poker tournament company:
For your next Poker Team Building Event
Key Factor #1 – Professionalism Matters
What do they bring to the table?
A poker party is only as good as the experience it delivers – and that starts with the right equipment and the right people running the game. Nothing kills excitement faster than worn-out poker tables, flimsy cards, or unprofessional dealers who don’t know the rules.
Your poker event should feel like a real casino experience. The poker tournament company you hire should provide:
- Professional Dealers: The dealers should be experienced and able to not only deal cards but to teach rookies while running the game. Bonus points if they are employees of the company.
- Good Equipment: Are the tables, chips, and cards clean and well-maintained? Scuffed up arm rests and wine stains from prior events should not be invited to your poker party. Yuck.
- Is there a focus on guest experience? Do the dealers know how to explain the rules to beginners? Can they keep the game moving and make it fun for all skill levels?
The dealers are the real cornerstone of the event. They have the most direct interaction with the guests and can really make or break the whole night. A good dealer is more than one who can shuffle and knows if a flush beats a straight or not. A good dealer is a poker ambassador who understands how to keep everyone engaged. By the way, a flush does beat a straight, in case you were wondering.
Pro Tip: Beware of cheap plastic chips or cancelled casino cards with a mark or hole drilled through them. Some poker companies use these “real casino” cards to look authentic but you’re really holding someone else’s old dirty paper. Clay chips and fresh decks should be the default.
Key Factor #2 – Virtual Poker Tournament Hosting Companies Capabilities
Can they go global?
Not everyone is in the same office, or even the same city. With the rise of remote work came virtual team building. Several companies came up with a way to go virtual, but most have gone back to in person events only. The Poker People remains a hybrid company with both in person and virtual poker tournaments and we’re pretty darn good at them too.
There might be another company or two out there hosting online poker parties. If you find other poker tournament companies, make sure to ask:
- Do they offer live dealers or hosts? The dealers on a virtual website might not physically shuffle the cards but they are a key element to the game’s success. These dealers can offer lessons and guidance as well as making sure that everyone is engaged throughout the tournament.
- Do they have their own platform? Very few companies want to ask their employees to download apps or to create accounts on gambling websites just for an office poker party. A browser-based platform that is operated by the poker vendor is the safest way to play.
- Are they available in any time zone? Hosting your virtual team building poker tournament at the end of the workday might be convenient for you. Make sure that your selected poker tournament company can be there too!
Online office parties, virtual networking events, and even charity games can be played anywhere in the world and paired with a video platform so players and dealers can see each other and enjoy an engaging environment. If you want to see how an online game works, we’d be happy to set up a demo for you: [email protected]
Pro Tip: If your company has a strong firewall or requires you to use a VPN, you should ask for a trial run to test the platform before game day to make sure you can access the site.
For your next Poker Team Building Event
Key Factor #3 – Legal Compliance is a Must
Don’t Go Straight to Jail
No one wants to get into trouble for raising money or morale. Before anyone starts dealing cards, you need to make sure your poker event follows the law. Every state has different regulations on poker games so you should ask your poker tournament company for advice.
The last thing you want is for your event to be shut down – or worse, for your company or organization to face legal trouble. That is not going to look good on your LinkedIn page. A professional vendor will prioritize compliance so you can focus on having fun. Be sure to ask:
- Do you need a permit or license to host a fundraiser? Some states allow nonprofit organizations to hold poker tournaments under charitable gaming laws but they may require special permits, fees, or applications in advance.
- Are there rules about playing for real prizes? A company poker night is more for camaraderie but if you want to add prizes it can certainly ramp up the friendly competition. Ask your vendor the best way to include these incentives.
- Are there venue restrictions? If your business is likely located on commercial property, it won’t hurt to make sure there are no issues.
A reputable poker event company will be able to guide you through the necessary steps to keep your event compliant. Talk to your poker host to make sure you don’t unintentionally cross the line into illegal gambling.
Pro Tip: Some states require you to have a licensed dealer at a charity fundraiser but they cannot be paid and must volunteer their time. It’s weird, I know.
Key Factor #4 – Capacity to Handle Large Tournaments
Taking Good Care of Your Full House
Not all poker event companies are created equal. A company that mainly offers casino nights with a mix of blackjack, craps, and roulette may only have a limited number of poker tables or trained dealers available, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Some of my closest friends run casino party companies, I don’t judge. That being said, not everyone is equipped to handle large corporate events or charity fundraisers. Taking care of 200 people at a casino night with 5 different types of games is one thing, but 200 players in the exact same game at the exact same time takes a different skillset. Be sure to ask:
- How many poker tables do they have? A standard table seats up to 10 players. If you have 100+ guests, do they have enough tables and dealers to accommodate everyone?
- Can they provide additional staff if needed? Some events may require chip runners, Tournament Directors, or extra dealers to provide breaks.
- What is their event experience? Have they managed large-scale corporate poker nights or charity tournaments before? Experience matters when it comes to keeping big events running smoothly.
The majority of poker companies in the US are small businesses and specialize in their respective cities. Read reviews and ask for references; Investing research time into your poker partner will pay off in the end.
Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a charity poker tournament you may be subject to state laws about raising money through gambling. There may be a permit or some type of reporting requirement. Just because it’s “for the kids” doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow the law.
Key Factor # 5 – Can they customize?
The Royal Treatment
You have goals and a good poker tournament company will help you reach them. A team building game in the office might focus on bringing together management with new interns whereas a game rewarding your sales teams’ achievements might be all about the competition and prizes. You may wish to combine your office poker party with a leadership workshop, or as part of a series on building business skills. Don’t be afraid to discuss what you might be looking for and allow them to guide you. I’ve worked with over 2,000 companies, charities, and private clients; everyone deserves to have the event they want. Your vendor should understand your plan and work with you. Make sure to ask:
- Will they accommodate your goals? Perhaps you need to start and stop the gaming at different times to include a presentation or want to seat managers and interns at the same tables. These goals should be a priority for your poker tournament company too.
- Do they provide lessons and cheat sheets? A great vendor will offer a tutorial at the start of your event so that everyone is up to speed. Your group has gathered for more than a game but everyone should still be on a level playing field.
- Can they structure a well-paced tournament? The vendor should know how to adjust blind levels, rebuys, and tableconsolidations to keep the game competitive while ensuring a winner is crowned within your event’s time frame.
A great poker event isn’t just about dealing cards, it’s about creating an experience that’s fun, well-structured, and accessible to all players. The right poker tournament hosting company should know how to balance excitement with structure while ensuring that every player – beginner or experienced – has a great time.
Pro Tip: Poker tournament hosting companies can often brand the poker tables (live and virtual), cards, or chips with a company logo. If you are considering adding poker to a large event like a convention or offsite, this type of branding will add excitement and sophistication to your event.
That’s All She Wrote
Ready to Party? Give The Poker People a Call
I hope that you find these key factors useful and informative. It was fun to put them together and share them with you. Poker is an amazing experience that brings people together in ways that only games can do. Don’t wait, book your poker adventure today.
Frequently asked questions about choosing the right poker tournament company
These FAQs offer insights to selecting the right partner for your poker event. In the office, online, or for a charity, having the right poker tournament company in your corner will make you the big winner.
Look for a poker tournament company that offers professional dealers, high-quality equipment, legal compliance assistance, and customization options. Whether you’re planning a corporate poker night, charity fundraiser, or virtual poker event, ensure the company has experience handling your type of event.
It depends on your state and local laws. Some states require permits or special licenses for fundraising poker games. A reputable poker tournament company should guide you through the compliance process to ensure your event follows all regulations.
Yes! A virtual poker tournament is a great way to engage remote employees. Look for a company that provides a browser-based platform, like The Poker People. They also have live hosts, and offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different time zones.
A standard poker table seats up to 10 players. If you have 100+ guests, your poker company should provide enough tables, dealers, and tournament staff to accommodate everyone. Ask if they offer customized tournament structures based on your group size.
Absolutely! Many professional poker vendors offer custom branding for tables, chips, and cards, as well as tailored event structures. Whether you need a team-building experience, a competitive tournament, or a themed casino night, the right poker company should customize the event to match your goals.
