How To Prepare For Party Poker

So after drawing lots, it’s your turn to host the poker party this month. Everyone will be over at eight, and all you do is have to set up for the party. Easy, huh? Start by getting the house cleaned up a little. While you don’t have to impress anyone with your Martha Stewart housekeeping skills, you don’t want to come across as the Oscar-and-Felix slob, either. Get rid of the newspapers, wipe off the dining room table where you’ll be playing, and clean out the fridge so no one will find moldy cheese while looking for a snack. Heck, you might even want to vacuum the carpet for a minute or two. Then bring out the cards. Set up the folding chairs. Crack some ice into a bowl for soda. Pour chips into a basket. You’re almost ready. Now it’s time to send the wife on a shopping trip. Next, pack up the kids and drop them off at Grandma’s overnight. Turn on the porch light and you’re ready. The guys should be here any minute. Wait—you

forgot the poker chips. Dashing down the basement steps you pull open a few drawers on a broken chest of drawers used for storage. Ah—there they are, right where you left them last time. Scooping up your prized possessions, you climb the steps, a bit winded, with your treasure in hand, and then place them on the table beside the cards. Now you’re ready at last. As the first car pulls into the drive, you take a beer out of the fridge and head for the door to greet your first guest. The dog beside you, tail wagging and tongue hanging out, you pat her head absentmindedly as your long-time bud from high school lopes up the porch steps with a grin. Does it get any better than this?