How to Host Online Poker Games With Friends: A Complete Guide
Getting Started: Bringing Your Home Poker Game Online
Hosting a traditional home poker night is always enjoyable, but now you can recreate that same competitive energy online with friends—no matter where you’re all located. Setting up a virtual poker game is straightforward, with just a few key decisions to make and some easy tech steps to follow. This guide will walk you through your options, including major poker platforms, plus alternative solutions for mobile players and extra tips for making your digital poker night just as memorable as the real thing.
Selecting the Right Platform and Poker Format
Before playing, the first priority is choosing a platform that suits everyone in your group. PokerStars and 888poker are two of the most popular options—each offering private, customizable poker games for you and your friends.
Before signing up, consider your group’s preferred style:
- Tournaments: Players compete until one winner remains. Perfect for those who enjoy competition and banter as friends get knocked out. However, early eliminations can leave some players sidelined soon after the start. If you opt for tournaments, consider enabling rebuys for the first few levels, so anyone busting early can rejoin the action and not miss out.
- Cash Games: Every player can buy back in at any time, so no one is ever out of the fun. This format is more relaxed and keeps everyone involved for the duration. To keep things competitive if you’re not playing for real money, allocate each player a fixed “bankroll”—once they run out, their game is over.
Setting Up Private Poker Games: Platform Step-by-Step
After choosing between tournament and cash game formats, it’s time to set up your digital table and welcome your friends.
PokerStars Home Games: Easy Setup for Groups
PokerStars is well known in the online poker world for delivering robust home game options. Here’s how to get started:
- Each player should create a free PokerStars account. No deposit is needed.
- Open the PokerStars software on your computer and navigate to the ‘Home Games’ section.
- Create a new poker club and customize your settings in the ‘Manage Games’ area.
- Send invitations to your friends via a unique club ID. Once they join, they can see scheduled games and participate.
PokerStars allows you to host both free and real money games, with stakes as low as $0.01/$0.02 for cash tables. Tournament options cover poker varieties like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud and more. After setting up the buy-in and game type, simply share your club ID with your group!
Note: Currently, PokerStars Home Games are only accessible via desktop or laptop computers, not mobile devices. If your group prefers to play on phones, you may need to consider other options.
888poker Play with Friends: Streamlined Private Games
888poker offers a fast and user-friendly way to create private poker rooms for your friends. Here’s how:
- Everyone registers for an 888poker account and downloads the desktop client.
- Click “Play with Friends” in the software to start setting up your private game.
- Create a game or tournament, customize your settings, and share the invitation details with friends.
888poker doesn’t require creating clubs, making scheduling games even faster. However, like PokerStars, private games are only available in the desktop software—not on mobile apps.
Best Platforms for Mobile Poker Nights
If your group prefers mobile play, specialized poker apps provide a great alternative to big-name poker rooms. These apps are designed for flexibility and easy setup on smartphones or tablets.
PPPoker is a top choice. It’s free to download and lets you host cash games, tournaments, and more—with support for Hold’em, Omaha, and Chinese Poker variations. As the game organizer, you can assign “chips” to players and control the game structure.
These club-based apps allow players to join from both mobile devices and PCs, so everyone can participate regardless of their preferred gadget.
Elevate Your Online Poker Night With Live Video
For a truly social experience, pair your poker game with a group video call. Using platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, you can see, hear, and interact with everyone around the “virtual table”—making the session as lively as an in-person gathering.
Video chats encourage conversation, laughter, and playful banter, recapturing the fun of traditional home games. Some poker platforms are starting to experiment with integrated video tools, but for now, third-party video conferences offer the best experience.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Digital Home Games
Transitioning your poker group online has many benefits:
- Play together from anywhere, without travel and scheduling challenges.
- Flexible scheduling, formats, and stakes tailored to your group.
- Minimal setup—no need for real chips, decks, or arranging a meeting spot.
However, there are a few potential downsides:
- Playing for “play money” may make games less competitive or engaging. Consider assigning a value or reward to keep the excitement up.
- Trust is important—if wagers or agreements are made outside the software, make sure everyone honors them to avoid misunderstandings.
- Lack of in-person social cues, although video calls can offset this.
Final Thoughts: Ready to Play?
Online poker platforms make it easy to host private games for friends—whether you’re after a competitive tournament or a casual cash session. With PokerStars, 888poker, and a variety of mobile apps at your disposal, finding the right solution for your group is simple. Add in a video call, and your game night will be as fun and interactive as the real thing.
If you haven’t tried it yet, give virtual poker a chance. Once you’ve played a couple of sessions together, the online format feels natural—and you may find you enjoy it even more than the classic home game.
About the Author:
Tadas Peckaitis is a professional poker player, author, and coach who contributes to various poker publications and supports the growth of new players.
