How Many Fun Casino Tables Do I Need for My Event?

"We're expecting around 120 guests... how many casino tables do we need?" is a question I'm often asked. The answer isn't simply a case of dividing the number of guests by the number of seats around a blackjack table. After decades working in both real and fun casinos, and having provided entertainment for hundreds of events across London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Kent, Dorset and the South of England, I can tell you there's a little more science (and quite a lot of experience) involved. The good news is it's my job to work it out for you.

My Rule of Thumb

As a general guide, I recommend one casino table for every 50-60 guests. That gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the casino over a typical three-hour event without spending the evening waiting to play. That ratio be stretched sometimes. My job isn't simply to hire you casino tables - it's to make sure your guests actually have a brilliant evening.

The Biggest Mistake I Hear...

"Not everyone will play." - I hear this phrase all the time. The truth is neither you nor I know who will play but I can guarantee you at least 80% will want to ‘have a go’ and experience playing blackjack, roulette, etc, without any financial risk. Some people will head straight for the roulette table while some will spend an hour chatting before wandering over to blackjack. That's exactly why every guest receives fun money, because by giving everyone the chance to play, I know the tables will comfortably accommodate everyone over the course of the three hours casino time. If somebody in the minority decides they aren't interested, they can simply pass their fun money to someone else. Nobody misses out, fun money is the perfect way to ensure that.

Time Is Just as Important as Guest Numbers

When I recommend the number of tables, I'm assuming the casino will be open for the standard three hours, although that time can be lengthened. Consider if there will be speeches, awards, an auction, a charity raffle. These can overrun and suddenly your casino might only be running for two hours. If you've got exactly the same number of guests but one less hour for them to play, another table often makes perfect sense. This is why experience matters, it's never just about guest numbers.

The Christmas Party That Went Too Far...

One enquiry has stayed with me for years. A company was organising a casino-themed Christmas party for 800 guests. Initially they booked eight casino tables but later they reduced it to six. I could make that work, everyone has a budget. I explained we would need to restrict the number of chips we gave guests so the croupiers were not overwhelmed. Then they reduced it again to four tables - this was going to be an extremely busy night on the tables. Finally they asked if one table would do, for 800 people. At that point I politely declined the booking for more than one reason. My reputation depends on guests having a fantastic evening, and one croupier surrounded by hundreds of frustrated guests isn't entertainment, it would definitely descend into chaos. I also have a duty of care to my staff. Imagine giving all 800 guests a drink token and having one bar and one barman?! As Mock Vegas is so busy at weekends in December I also operate a two table minimum booking on those dates, but even then two tables would be vastly insufficient in this case. Sometimes the most professional answer is unfortunately politely saying, "No."

More Tables Doesn't Mean Wasted Money

Occasionally clients want a wider variety of games rather than simply increasing capacity and that's absolutely fine, of course. In fact it makes for a really relaxed atmosphere with easy access to the tables. For example, if you decide to have blackjack, roulette, poker and craps because you'd like guests to experience different games, we'll simply issue more fun money to keep everyone entertained. It's a simple adjustment that gives excellent value without overcrowding any table.

Which Casino Games Are Best?

People often ask me which games can accommodate the most players. That's actually the wrong question to ask because players don't all leave a table at the same moment. Instead, think about achieving the atmosphere you want. Someone betting everything on red might lose in seconds whereas someone else might spend time getting into the game, learning different bets and enjoying every spin. If someone wishes to leave the table we ask them to 'cash out'. They receive a cheque to the value of their chips. They can use that cheque later on any table, so guests come and go as they please. It's very relaxed.  For events that promise to be busy I always recommend blackjack and roulette. They're quick to learn, easy to play and create lots of energy. What about poker and craps? They are fantastic games but they take longer to explain properly. However if you have plenty of space, lots of tables or perhaps a quieter room away from the music, they can be an excellent addition.

When Fewer Guests Turned Into More Fun

Recently we provided casino tables for a promotional event in Central London. Industrial action on public transport meant attendance was going to be lower than expected. Rather than let that spoil the evening, we suggested the client hand every guest two fun money notes when they arrived. If numbers stayed low, guests simply received more fun money later.

All evening the tables stayed busy, the guests loved it, staying longer to talk to their company staff and the client attracted plenty of new business.

Experience has taught me it isn't just about planning, it's adapting when the unexpected happens.

What If More Guests Arrive?

Thankfully, there's a little flexibility built into every event. We can recycle fun money that's already been handed in by earlier players. That usually helps accommodate unexpected arrivals. However, if guest numbers are significantly higher than planned, eventually there simply won't be enough table space. That's another reason why getting reasonably accurate numbers beforehand is worthwhile.

Space Matters Too

Whether your event is in a luxury hotel, village hall or your own home, I always use the same comparison. For each table, look at the space and imagine a large single bed with people standing around all four sides. That's roughly the space each casino table needs. If you're having three or more tables, I nearly always recommend creating what real casinos call a pit. Ever heard the term ‘Pit Boss’? Instead of lining the tables around the walls, arrange them together as a circle in the centre of the room (see images). This will boost the atmosphere and is why real casinos use this arrangement. When players cheer at one table, everyone else instantly looks across unhindered to see who is celebrating a win. Otherwise they will be looking around, trying to see through the crowd to the other side of the room.

The Three Questions I Always Ask

I ask every enquiry the same three questions.

• What date are you considering?
• Where is the event?
• Approximately how many guests are attending?

Those three answers tell me almost everything I need to know. From there I can recommend  packages, games, options and prices.

My Best Advice?

Trust my experience based on hundreds of successful casino nights. A five-minute friendly conversation often saves clients from making expensive mistakes. After decades in both real and fun casinos, I can advise very quickly what will work best for your event and, of course, there is absolutely no obligation so you have nothing to lose but you will gain a much clearer picture. When your guests are leaving and saying, "That was brilliant!" I've done my job.

Planning Your Casino Night?

Whether you're organising a corporate event in London, a wedding in Surrey, a charity fundraiser in Hampshire, or a Christmas party anywhere across the South of England, I'll happily help you work out exactly how many blackjack tables, roulette tables and fun casino games you'll need. After all, every event is different—but with the right advice, every event can feel like Las Vegas.

Call 08006127737 or use the contact page. Let's have that chat......