Invitations

• Set the tone for a casino party with creative invitations. Send a poker chip with each invitation with instructions for guests to bring it to the party for good luck. Create invitations at home by drawing playing cards using plain white paper and black and red markers. More options are available online through e-mail invitation services such as Evite or by downloading pre-made invitations from Smilebox. Build anticipation by including information such as attire, planned games and prizes.
  
  

Decorations

• Invite guests into the party ambiance with casino themed decor. Punch holes in a stack of fake money and lace a string through to create money streamers. Purchase small pails from a dollar store or discount retailer and hand one to each guest to use as a bucket for their casino chips. Create a blackjack or baccarat table with poster board, felt or any other material that can cover a table and be drawn on. Set up a cashier stand and display fun dollar store prizes nearby.
  
  

Activities

• Create score cards for your guests and give them instructions for tracking individual game performance. Display a large scoreboard near the cashier stand and write in the names of the big winners. Games of chance may include roulette, baccarat, blackjack and craps. Set tables in corners for poker and bridge. Create sillier gambling opportunities for the novice gambler such as wind up toy races, rock-paper-scissors and name that tune. Play paparazzi and take photos of guests having fun for a future online photo album keepsake.
  
  

Food

• Set up a Las Vegas inspired buffet of appetizers for casino party catering. Line up card tables or use the counter of the kitchen and place platters next to each other. Fill up each platter with bite-sized treats such as shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, finger sandwiches, Swedish meatballs and fruit kebabs. Keep a bottle or two of Champagne chilled and stock the bar with casino staples such as whiskey, gin, vodka and tonic water.