So, you've been to one of those casino-themed parties, loved it, and now you want something for your next celebration, but more casual. You can easily do this at home or in your garden. You know what drinks and food you're gonna get, but which games can you play? Here are some options that are quick to set up, easy to understand, and still good fun.
They take inspiration from classics you'll find both in Irish online casinos and real venues, such as blackjack, craps, and roulette. But they feature dozens of tables and, on top of that, thousands of slots, and you don't want to go overboard with it for your event. Picking two or three of these games with simplified rules will work perfectly for a relaxed get-together.
Slot-Inspired Games
No other casino game attracts as many players globally as slots do, and the numbers confirm that. The 2025 Gambling Commission reports show that 4.5 million accounts play slots monthly, while a New Zealand study found that $1.02 billion was spent on ‘‘pokie machines’’ in 2024. That’s not surprising since pokies online NZ from providers like Aristocrat, Games Global, NetEnt and other leading studios are easy to jump into without having to learn complicated rules or work anything out in advance.
One such game adapted for a party setting is Slot Shot Bonanza. For this, you can either use an online slot simulator or, if you're feeling creative, build one yourself. Everyone gets their turn to spin your handmade or virtual reels. When three identical symbols line up, the person spinning takes a shot.
You’ll also need to assign a specific drink to each combination. For example, three cherries for brandy, while three stars could mean tequila. To add that extra element, like in real slot machines, include special icons. Wilds could let players swap drinks with someone else, while scatters can trigger a round where everyone drinks at once.
Shot Roulette
In Shot Roulette, instead of a roulette wheel, you place shot glasses in a circle (assuming you don’t have a small wheel). Each one is filled with a different drink, and that’s where the surprise is. Some can be smooth, others strong, or just weird mixes, so no one knows what to expect.
If you do own a wheel, you just spin it, and wherever it lands is the shot you must take. If not, there are alternatives, like spinning a bottle, but the version with cards and dice is usually preferred. Here, everyone gets a card face down and puts it under their glass. The dice are thrown, and whoever has the card that matches the number rolled drinks.
Poker Drinking Game
If you want a game that feels more deliberate, poker works exceptionally well for socials, in indoor and outdoor spaces alike. Play it as Texas Hold’em, but with a couple of drinking penalties:
- Fold or lose a hand and take a sip.
- If someone burns through all their chips, they’re stuck with a ‘loser shot’.
- Everyone drinks when an Ace of Spades hits the table.
- The same applies when someone goes all-in.
- Pull off with a bluff, and the rest of the table drinks.
- When a strong hand hits, whatever’s left in your glass is getting finished.
Crasp Cup Cascade
If you don’t know how Craps is played, fear not - all you need is two dice and a few cups for this variation. Make some drinks lighter, and some stronger. When you’re all seated, everyone takes turns rolling, and each total is tied to a drink. Low rolls can be easy sips, while snake eyes (two 1s) might mean taking a stronger shot. You can liven things up by adding luck shots for doubles, and if someone hits 7 or 11, they get to pick who drinks next.
Blackjack Hi Lo
There’s a good chance you have a deck of cards at home, meaning you’re halfway set for the next game. You just need some go-to beers people enjoy and potentially some spirits. The rules of Blackjack Hi Lo couldn’t be simpler: everyone starts with a face-up card and has to call whether the next one will beat it or fall below it before it’s drawn.
Make a wrong guess, and you must drink the follow-up drink. However, if anyone has the same value, then all players drink. And, if you'd like to take things up a notch, a person who hits 21 can assign two drinks, and whoever busts takes two as well.
Baccarat Bottle Exchange
For something more low-key but still interactive, Baccarat Bottle Exchange takes less than a minute to set up. Each round, one person is the banker and everyone else plays as the player side. Both sides get two cards and compare totals. Just like in basic baccarat, the closest to 9 wins, and face cards count as 0, while others keep their value.
But the drinking game starts once the winner is determined. If it’s a banker, they pick someone and swap drinks with them. But if the player side wins, the winning person chooses someone to take a sip.
Sip Responsibly
Parties with a casino theme are a great way to unwind, but you don’t want to overdo it and forget the whole night. You also want everyone to get home safely. So, here are a few rules to stick to so things stay under control:
- Everybody has a different tolerance, so don’t push anyone to keep up. If someone’s not used to drinking, cut them some slack.
- Mix alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic alternatives in your games, so everyone plays at their own pace without feeling left out.
- If your crowd agrees on sticking to alcohol, make sure water is always available so everybody stays hydrated and doesn’t get drunk too fast.
- Small bites should also be on the table, so people aren’t drinking on an empty stomach.
- Take breaks between games and don’t play too many rounds in a row. In between, just have a chat or put some music on.
- If someone feels like they’ve had enough, let them switch to juice or fizzy drinks.
- Ensure people have a safe way to get home, whether that’s a ride, a taxi, or staying over.
The bottom line is this: keep it light; these games are there to add to the night, not take over the whole evening.
