Snacking and poker go together like peanut butter and jelly, nerds and wedgies, or Britney Spears and Lithium. That is why in most casinos there is a small army of scantily clad women running about serving drinks and offering food to the folks at the poker tables. Even at home games offering snacks to the players is less of a courtesy and more of something that is expected by the people who will be attending. In short, if your home game offers nothing more in cuisine then water and some rice cakes, you probably won’t be getting much of a crowd. With that said, there should be some discernment when it comes to deciding what your guests should eat. Some foods can make sitting at the table about as pleasant as the last thirty seconds in a penitentiary gas chamber.
If your snack foods include corn nuts, ranch flavored Doritos, and anchovie pizza, the dessert table better have tooth brushes and mouth wash. There are few things in life more disgusting then halitosis. A scorching case of crabs and people who collect “samples” from breeder horses and dogs would probably score higher on the “digusto” meter, but really bad breath is way up there.
Poker is an activity that involves a lot of people sitting very close to one another and communicating. If somebody to your left has corn nut breath, while the player to your right is belching out anchovies pizza fumes, you are in for a very long and sickening evening. A consciencious host will provide foods that are not an olfactory assault looking for someplace to happen. While pizza is always popular, and chips are pretty safe, be careful when getting creative. This will help ensure the only thing your guests have to get upset about is when they are losing their money.
