VIP events
Small guest lists, senior hosts, discreet service.
Open- Home
- Experiences
- Poker-themed dinners
Dinner format
Poker-themed dinners
A dinner that holds its shape: courses, a card interlude between them, and a room that stays at one table rather than drifting apart.
- 20+
- Offline event entertainment
- No real-money gambling
- No betting
- No cash prizes
- No online casino
The format
Why this works in a real room
The poker-themed dinner is our most structured format. Guests sit down to eat, and between courses the card tables open for short rounds. It suits hosts who want the sociability of a table format without giving up a proper seated meal or a speech slot.
The card element is deliberately simple: plain cards, plain chips, short hands and a host who narrates. Nobody needs to know the rules of poker, and nothing is played for money. The interest comes from the table talk, not from the stakes.
Fixed limits
Every event we run is capped at up to 125 guests and up to 5 hours of guest time. Those limits keep the service deliverable and the floor comfortable.
Pricing is quoted per event and depends on the size of the event, the venue and the formats you choose.
Inclusions
What the dinner format includes
- Card tables for interludes Compact card tables set near the dining room so transitions take seconds, not minutes.
- Run sheet built with your caterer We agree the interlude windows with the kitchen so no course is ever waiting.
- Narrating hosts Hosts who explain each hand aloud, which keeps non-players in the conversation.
- Table dressing Felt, card backs, markers and linen chosen to sit with your table setting.
- Speech-friendly pacing Tables close cleanly for toasts and speeches and reopen on your cue.
- Closing count A short chip count at the end for a recognition moment before dessert or coffee.
Delivery
The shape of the evening
Arrival
Drinks and a dressed card table in the corner of the room for early guests to gather around.
First course
Tables closed. The room settles, the host welcomes guests and sets out the adults-only, no-wagering position.
First interlude
Twenty to thirty minutes of short hands, with hosts narrating and teaching as they deal.
Main course and speeches
Tables closed again so the programme runs without competition.
Second interlude
The longest session of the night, once everyone knows what they are doing.
Count and coffee
Chips counted, a short recognition moment, and the tables cleared while coffee is served.
Questions
Asked about this format
Do guests have to know how to play?
No. Hands are kept short and the host narrates every step. Most tables are a mix of people who have played before and people who have not.
Can this work in a restaurant?
Often yes, if there is a private room or a section we can hold. We will talk to the venue directly about access, power and table positions.
Is there any buy-in?
None. There is no buy-in, no rebuy and no money at the table at any point.
More answers on the Answers page.
How our events work
LevelClash provides offline, adults-only casino-themed event entertainment in New Zealand. Guests play with symbolic chips or points only. We do not offer real-money gambling, betting, cash prizes, deposits or online casino services. Entry is restricted to adults aged 20+. Chip stacks exist only to keep score inside the evening. They are issued free, cannot be purchased, topped up for value or exchanged for anything.
Read our Responsible Entertainment notice for the full position.
Request a proposal
Shall we pencil in a date?
Send your date, venue and rough guest count. We will reply with a format, a floor plan and a tailored proposal within one business day.
Offline event entertainment only. Symbolic chips, no real-money gambling, no betting, no cash prizes, no online casino services. 20+.
Event enquiry
Four details are enough to start. We reply within one business day.