What to Buy for a Poker Tournament

A poker tournament needs more than cards and chips. You also need a clear registration point, enough seating, printed schedules, prizes, drinks and food that can be served without interrupting play. Use this shopping list to prepare the tournament tables, blind timer, dealer supplies and refreshment area in advance. Check quantities against your confirmed registrations, then add a small buffer for glasses, plates and snacks so you are not shopping during the event.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Poker tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 48
Registration desk
Prize table

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60

Equipment

Poker chip setsqty 6
Playing cardsqty 24
Chip traysqty 48
Dealer buttonsqty 6
Blind timer
Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Calculatorsqty 2
Speaker

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Prize displaysqty 3
Game rule boardsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 4
Small bowlsqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- Beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Cocktail nuts - 4 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Liver sausage - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mini sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towel rolls - 4 rolls

Tips

Plan one poker table and one chair per player position, then add a separate registration table and prize table. Keeping those areas separate prevents check-in, prizes and play from competing for the same space.
Prepare at least one complete poker chip set and a deck of playing cards for every active table, plus a spare deck. Chip trays and dealer buttons should be placed at the tables before registration opens.
Print the tournament schedule, participant list and rules before opening the venue. Bring a laptop, printer, extension cords, power strips and calculators so you can update registrations or payouts without improvising.
For drinks, count two to three servings per person for the first hour and keep additional drinks chilled in coolers. Set out reusable glasses, coffee cups, thermos flasks and a kettle or coffee maker before players arrive.
Buy snacks that can be portioned into small bowls and served on trays without greasy fingers at the table. Provide plates and cutlery where needed, and check dietary requirements before completing the shop.

Frequently asked questions

How many poker tables do I need for a tournament?: Plan for one table per active group of players, based on your chosen tournament format. As a practical starting point, allow 8 to 10 players per full poker table and keep one spare seating position where possible.
How many poker chips should I buy per player?: A basic tournament setup usually needs about 50 to 100 chips per player, depending on denominations and your starting stack. Buy complete chip sets for each table and keep one spare set or replacement supply available.
How many decks of cards are needed for a poker tournament?: Use at least one deck per active table and keep one spare deck for every two tables. For example, three tables require at least four decks so a damaged or marked deck does not stop play.
What drinks and snacks should I buy for a poker tournament?: For the first hour, budget two to three drinks per person, then add more according to the expected duration. Choose easy-to-serve snacks, portion them into small bowls, and buy enough plates, glasses and cutlery for the confirmed player count plus about 10%.

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