There are many ways to throw a great poker party. The best will be one that reflects your personal style.

Invite a small or large group, a mix of poker aficionados and non-players, or “serious players only”. Your party can be a weekly men’s gathering, a fun Ladies Night, or a flirtatious evening for singles. It all depends on how you want to play the game.

For larger parties, consider dividing players by skill level, placing 4 to 8 players at each table. Mix friends who already know each other with new acquaintances. Set up a separate room with music and snacks where non-players can mingle.

Poker is a game for any day of the week, anytime of the year. Whether you choose a regular Tuesday or Thursday, every third Wednesday, an occasional Friday night bash, or a cozy winter Sunday afternoon gathering, you’re bound to set an enthusiastic, fun, and very social tone.

Options abound when you go to set up your poker party. Here are a few things to consider:

Padding on game tables can help keep cards clean and free from nicks, and tables protected from scratches or spills. You can invest in fancy padded poker tables or go with casual poker tabletops, which are less pricy, easy to move around, and simple to tuck away when not in use. You can also choose not to pad tabletops. A few good old card tables will always do the trick.

Have back-up cards on hand, in case any get bent or damaged during the game, as well as extra chips.

As guests arrive, distribute a handout summarizing the rules of the game so that all players begin with the same set of expectations.

Keep poker party victuals simple and satisfying. Start by offering a selection of St. Francis wines. The 2002 Sonoma County Merlot and 2003 Sonoma County Syrah are included in your St. Francis Classic Poker Night Box. To these you can add any number of St. Francis selections, including a refreshing Chardonnay, a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, a rich and spicy Zinfandel, and more. Have booze on hand for cocktail lovers, and soft drinks for drivers and non-drinkers.

Nuts served in small bowls on the game table keep distractions at bay between breaks. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards’ irresistible mixed nut recipe is fun and easy to prepare.

To keep energy up, serve more substantial snacks between games. These can be placed on side tables around the room, or in an area nearby so as not to distract those still playing. Set out a big bowl of chips and crudités alongside your favorite salsa or cheese dip and St. Francis Winery & Vineyards’ signature guacamole. Or grill some shrimp or scallops to dip into tasty pesto sauce . All are perfect with St. Francis’ 2002 Sonoma County Merlot.

A roast garlic and rosemary-rubbed beef tenderloin, sliced and served on mini toasts, is another crowd-pleaser and a great match for St. Francis’ 2003 Sonoma County Syrah. With it, try your hand at a few pizzettas, and set out a cheese board.

Enlisting a friend to help with food the day or two before the party sets the mood in motion and will keep you free to enjoy the game on party day.

Settings on the buffet table can be as informal or fancy as you’d like. Break out your fine china or stock-up on paper goods. Whatever you choose, keep the following in mind:

Wine and other drinks taste best from a glass, as opposed to plastic or paper cups. Try serving St. Francis wines in sturdy stem-less glasses to avoid spills on the game table.

Set out small piles of cocktail napkins on game and buffet tables. Clean fingers will keep cards free from sticky marks.

If guests are free to smoke in your home, set out ashtrays and matches. Invite friends to bring cigars, or hand them out as a welcome gift.

A perfect poker night ends with everyone winning. Of course you can set-up serious tournaments and play for money, but you can also get creative with other prizes or gifts.

A St. Francis Classic Poker Night Box, a mixed case of St. Francis Winery & Vineyard wine, a fancy deck of playing cards, or a box of fine cigars are just a few of the many great prizes you can offer.

Hand out prizes to winners and runner-ups, and raffle off smaller gifts. You can even surprise the biggest loser with a gift for being a great sport!

At the beginning of the night, establish a fixed end-time to the games and leave some time for non-game socializing to keep things friendly and fun.

Pick a name from a hat to determine the next poker night host. Everyone will look forward to the next great party!