All Decked Out: Your Guide to Hosting a Game Night in Your Apartment

Hosting a game night at home gives you a great way to spend time with friends inexpensively. It doesn't matter if you have a large board game library or just a deck of cards. When you gather together around a game table, you'll have plenty of opportunities to build connection, chat, and just have fun together.  

If you want to host a game night and don’t want to invest in costly board games quite yet, you’re in luck! With just a basic deck of playing cards, there are many ways to keep people engaged and playing together for hours. Take a look at these strategies for hosting an incredible game night as you plan your next event with friends.  

Just a Deck of Cards? No Problem. 

Some people collect board games and eagerly look for opportunities to play them. In some cases, however, you may not have that library.  

Modern board games typically cost $50 or even more. That’s a big investment for a game that may not be a hit with your guests! Fortunately, there are many games you can play with just a deck of cards. Explore these favorites or invite your guests to teach their preferred games to everyone.  

Euchre 

Euchre uses a little less than half of a deck of cards to create a fast-paced, exciting game focused on partnership, trick plays, and communication. Euchre is a staple game in many Midwest areas, but it’s fun for anyone who learns the rules! This game is intended for four players, but if you have more friends coming to your game night, you can have multiple tables running at the same time.  

Hand and Foot 

Hand and Foot is a rummy-style game that allows for 2-6 players. It is played with multiple decks of cards. You usually need one full deck per player, plus an extra, so you may need to plan ahead for the number of players you'll have attending.  

In Hand and Foot, each player is dealt two stacks of cards: the hand, which the players work through first, and the foot, which they play from after the hand is empty. Many players customize Hand and Foot to the ability of their players with house rules that add to the fun and decrease the complexity based on players' age and capability.  

Slapjack 

This fast-paced game encourages players to "slap" the cards in the center of the table when they spot a jack, winning them the jack and all the cards beneath it. Slapjack is a great game for high-energy or adventurous players, especially those who are looking for an extra challenge. It's most appropriate for 2-4 players, but you can add players if needed. You can even mix multiple decks together to allow more players to join together in one raucous game. 

Snap 

As with Slapjack, Snap relies on collecting all of the cards to win. However, instead of slapping a hand down on top of the pile, players call out, "Snap!" to indicate that they've seen a match, then collect the cards. The player who collects all the cards wins. Snap can be adjusted for groups of multiple sizes.  

Adding Games to Your Collection 

While you can have plenty of fun with nothing more than a deck of cards, adding new games to your collection can make game night even more exciting. Fortunately, there are several spots around Minot where you can find new games, including Chaos Games and Mythic Emporium.  

Many local big box stores also have an excellent selection of common board games. Talk to your friends before game night to get a better idea of what everyone is interested in playing and how long they intend to stay. After all, you don't want to launch into an hours-long game when your friends only have a couple of hours to spare in their evenings.  

Making Game Night Magical 

While game night at home offers a number of advantages, if you want to make it special, plan ahead. Start by talking to your friends so that you have a good idea of everyone's interests and availability. Then, include these elements to set yourself apart as the host with the most!  

Food

Game night classics like pizza and soda are a great way to keep everyone playing through the evening and into the night. If you're only planning to play for a short time, having snacks on hand can keep everyone's energy up and add a little something special to the event. Discuss food plans in advance so everyone knows what's coming! 

Seating 

Consider where you'll set up your game. Whether you're settling around the kitchen table or setting up card tables in the living room area, make sure there is plenty of comfortable seating for everyone and space for everyone to reach the game table.  

Alternate Games 

Sometimes, even your favorite game falls a little flat. By providing plenty of alternate games, you help keep game night flowing smoothly even if someone doesn't understand the rules, doesn't enjoy the game, or just isn't in the mood for that specific game on this game night. If you're planning a game night around a deck of cards, have the rules for several games at hand.  

The Apartment for Your Next Game Night 

If you've been looking for an apartment in Minot where you can host game nights for many evenings to come, check out The Chateau Apartment Homes. You'll have your choice of a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom home with a variety of unique floor plans. All of our 2- and 3-bedroom homes have two bathrooms, which is very helpful when you're hosting multiple people for a game night!  

Tall ceilings and central air conditioning help ensure everyone is comfortable while they game. Our community is pet-friendly as well, so your furry family members can attend as well. There's also a resident lounge that is an ideal setting for a game night with your neighbors! Contact our team today to learn about what homes are available and schedule a tour. Your new home in Minot is waiting for you to discover it at The Chateau Apartment Homes!