Games nights can be great fun for groups of friends who are having a night in. Going out isn’t always practical, and it isn’t always everyone’s number one idea of fun. Instead, a lot of people are looking to play games and enjoy the company of their buddies without deafening music or the expense of going out and buying food and drinks.
Who doesn’t love games? This is a broad subject but there are a lot of different types of games. Whether your friends are the kind to spend hours on a strategy game or it is more likely that they would want a quick and easy game to play, there are a lot of choices.
Game options
The games themselves play a big part in the way a games night works. Try to think about the company you’ll be keeping and the kind of games they might want to play.
Poker
Poker can be an interesting game to play on a games night for a lot of different reasons – one of them being the fact that this is a mental game as much as it is based on the cards, and there are also elements of bluffing and tactical play. Players can potentially benefit from their knowledge or they might find it amusing to see what the other players choose to do and how they approach different hands.
Poker has enough strategy to keep people entertained but it doesn’t necessarily have to last ages. You can set up a mini tournament for prizes or just play for fun. Make sure that those who are beginners have a bit of time to work out what approach they want to take, and help them to learn the rules with things like a hand combinations guide to show them what kind of cards make strong hands and which aren’t necessarily as strong. Some poker varieties involve community cards, which can totally change the landscape of the game.
You’ll need to choose a variety of poker that people can play, so the simpler versions are better for beginners. If there are a lot of different people playing, who already know and enjoy poker, then this can be an even more viable option.
Heads Up
Heads Up is a game where people are given a name or title based on a certain category. They hold their phone or other device up to their head (where they can’t see it) and have to guess what they have on the screen based on other peoples’ clues and descriptions.
A full guide to playing the game should be explored but it is relatively simple and straightforward.
Cards Against Humanity
A very different card game that a lot of people choose to play on these kinds of nights in is Cards Against Humanity. This game is not for the faint hearted and it is known to be controversial, but as long as it is played in the right spirit, it can be a lot of fun. Plenty of people choose to play the game as everyone can get involved and it is constantly expandable and replayable. New cards are regularly released to keep the game up to date.
Twister
Prefer something that is a bit more of a physical game and can get people laughing? Twister is an old classic that gets brought out at parties when people have had a few drinks. The concept is simple, as people just put body parts on certain parts of the mat as instructed.
Lots of people have an old Twister mat somewhere. It is a very straightforward game to get to grips with and can definitely be amusing as the night goes on.
Other considerations
There are plenty of other things that people need to think about when they are hosting people for the night. Games night is a chance for you to entertain but it does come with a bit of pressure!
Don’t forget the snacks
Snacks are essential! Nobody likes going to a games night and finding there is nothing to nibble on. It is always a good idea to be a decent host and ensure people don’t go hungry, even if you aren’t offering them a full meal. There are so many frozen snacks that can just be popped in the oven, or even things like chips and dips that keep people replenished, ready for all that Twister!
Drinks for all
We don’t have to have alcoholic drinks to have a good time. There are a lot of other options out there, but a lot of people tend to do something special, like make some delicious cocktails for people.
Try to ensure there are a lot of different choices for people. Non-alcoholic drinks should be there in abundance for the designated drivers and to cater for everybody’s tastes.
Music options
No party or games night is complete without some tunes. A good way to do this when with a big group of people is to make a playlist everybody can contribute to. Apple Music allows people to do this, and you can invite your friends to collaborate. This way, you don’t have to be the centre of attention based on the music you’ve chosen,
Themes and decor
This all depends on whether you plan to go all out or whether you just want a simple and quiet night. Perhaps you will choose a casino-themed games night or you may prefer to theme it around board games. This can also impact things like the decorations around your house, and other aspects of the party, like the music played.
Conclusion
Whether you’re inviting a big group or just having a few close friends around to play some games, there is a lot to be said for getting people together for some jovial competitive gaming! A perfect night will also incorporate other aspects of get-togethers and ensure people have food and drink options, plus feel comfortable while they play. It can even become a regular thing!