Starting a Pokeno Group

[meway]

I played pokeno many years ago when I was a young teacher. I'm starting a group now and can't really remember the specifics of getting one started.

I figure we'll have a group of 12 to be able to play once a month, but as far as prizes and meals ideas, I'd love some tips!

Thanks for any help!

Missy

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never played, but I'm in 3 bunco groups, and there are a lot of them here! We don't do prizes - we pay for cash. As for meals, every month someone hosts, and provides heavy appetizers and drinks.

 

[Nomi]

Is it sad I thought you said 'Pokemon' and got all excited?

But I have no idea what Pokeno is. I have to go look it up now...

 

[Juliegirl1]

Our group hasn't played in a few years but we used to bring a $5-$10 gift. I would shop year round for Pokeno gifts so although I spent only $5-10 the gift was usually originally worth more than that (our group gave great gifts!). Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Ross are great places to look for gifts. The hostess was responsible for a $25 gift. This gift was awarded to whomever blacked out their card after all the other gifts had been spoken for. If we still had time left to play we would do speed rounds where we could steal gifts.

Dinner was provided by the hostess and would be anything from chicken salads, to casseroles to fajitas. Sometimes two friends would team up and one friend would be the host house and provide the hostess gift and the other friend would bring dinner. They would do it twice a year so that way one person was not totally responsible for everything at once.

 

[cybrkitn]

We have the game and play it every now and then. Even DS8 gets into it. I've never heard of playing it as a get-together-group thing. But it sounds like a great idea.

To the pp who mentioned Bunko - DH and I have done that too with our church couple's club (when we were part of it). It was real fun to play. Of course, we called it Bonko (got tagged from the Tag Fairy for it, too).

 

[Robinrs]

wow, I grew up playing Pokeno!! Loved it!

 

[meway]

Thanks for the tips! I like the idea of playing for cash...no one has to go out and buy anything. Just show up with your $$...

 

[ckay87]

I've been involved with a group of friends who get together once/month to play for the past year. It is holy-moly structured! I'll try to describe all of the procedures-
-We alternate hosting, of course. Host provides a light supper/snacks. Host also provides the evening's grand prize which is about $25. All other prizes are supposed to be $10, but I think people have been doing more like $15. Each prize is brought to the party wrapped.

-Round one, each person takes a turn dealing once. We go around the table. When you win, you pick a prize, but do not yet unwrap it.

-After everyone has taken a turn dealing, all winners open their prizes, one at a time. Host lists all of the prizes on a piece of paper. Also writes down each prize on its own index card.

-Round two. Host sets a timer for a secret amount of time. We again take turns dealing. This time when you win, you steal a gift from someone else. This is where the list comes in. It's helpful to look over the list to remember available prizes. You choose one and get the card for that prize (so we aren't juggling and shuffling gift bags). What makes this round exciting is that you have no idea how many games will be played and how many opportunities you'll have to either win or lose your prize(s).

-After the timer goes off, that's it. Then we play one final round for a cover-all. That winner gets the host's grand prize.

-Then we have dessert!

Whew, I think that's it. Really a lot of fun. I'm hosting this month for the first time!

 

[5Slays]

We play Pokeno and I just started my own group. There was some drama with my other group so that is why I started my own. We play once a month.

This is how we play:
1. We alternate who hosts. The host tells everyone the theme for the night -the food and gifts are based around the theme...but they don't have to be...

2. Each guest and the host brings a $20 gift wrapped

3. The host also has 2 additional gifts - the hostess gift (around $20) and the pity gift (around $5)

4. Each person takes a turn dealing. The winner of each round chooses a wrapped gift.

5. After each person deals we take a break and eat dessert

6. After dessert we play blackout for the hostess gift

7. After blackout we each take turns dealing again and the winner of each of these rounds "steals" a gift from someone else (everything is fair game any number of times - except for the host gift-it can never be stolen)

8. At the end whoever does not have a gift gets the pity gift.

This is my girl's night out each month and we have such a great time!

 

[M&C'sMom]

I've been playing with a group for about 3 years now. It's so much fun!! We do the alternate hosting thing each month, serving dinner and dessert. It's BYOB, but the hostess provides set-ups. Our group plays for cash. Each person chips in $12 for the evening. Each person (12 of us play) deals once around the table, then we stop for dessert and change our cards. Then we deal around the table again. During the game itself, we play for "straws." (1 for center, 1 for postage, 2 for pokeno, etc.) They're actually straws cut in half. Everyone saves their straws and counts them up at the end. The person with the most straws gets $50 and then they call Black Out. 2nd place gets $30, 3rd gets $20, ****ie prize gets $20, winner of Black Out gets $24.

We also do a "secret pal" exchange that is totally optional. In December, we draw names and bring gifts to our pal throughout the year. We try to give things specific to the person or for the holiday. In December, we reveal ourselves and start over for the next year. We fill out a form of likes/dislikes to help out our secret pal. I like this better!! I used to do secret pal, but would always forget and wait til the last minute to get a gift! This way, I can go, have fun, and just bring my money!