Games of chance

These are games where chance is king. You'll need a gaming license to run a raffle or game of chance. Nothing here is legal advice, I've grouped games by skill/chance based on my gut feeling, not a legal definition. Depending on your location, you may or may not be able to obtain a gaming license for your event. Check out your local alcohol and gaming commission (for example, the AGCO in Ontario, or the LCGA in Manitoba) for more information.

For more games, check out the games of skill or the silly games pages.

50-50

Guests are sold tickets to a 50-50 draw, where half the pot is up for grabs, and the other half goes to the wedding couple. Tickets are sold individually, as well as by the "arm's length".

Prize draws

Prize packages are set out all evening to be viewed. Guests can purchase raffle tickets to put in bags or containers alongside each prize package, and draws are done at the end of the night. Winning ticket numbers are either called out over the sound system, or are written on large poster boards. Often there are regular and "grand" prize categories with separate ticket types.

Lock and key / Lockbox

The prize is locked in a box, or has a locked chain around it, along with a large bowl full of keys. Guests "buy" a key from the bowl. If the lock opens, they win it. An alternative to this is a coded lock and guests buy a chance to try a code on it. You can do this with your own lock and keys or rent the game from a party game rental store.

The Card Game / "Pick a card" / Find the Joker / Joker Poker Board / Crazy Jokers

Take a standard 52 card deck and tape each of them face down on a board. Guests pay to write their name on a card. When the board fills up, draw a random card from a fresh deck and reveal the cards until you find the match. Alternatively, winner is whoever picked the Joker. If you set it up as $5/play, you can take in $260 each game. If the prize is $100, you end up making $160 each play. You may be able to set this up three or more times in a night.

$100 giveaway

This is similar to the "Card Game" above. The prize is a $100 bill, which is on display under plastic, with the serial number covered. Write 100 serial numbers on a board, one of which is correct. Guests pay to pick an unchosen serial number and put their name to it. When the board fills up, the serial number is uncovered and the guest with their name on the matching number wins it.

Two-four raffle

Guests buy in for their name to a

Let's make a deal

This game is played just like the game show, although the prizes can be money or any kind of actual prizes. You can have a lot of fun choosing a few "dud" prizes for this one.

Plinko

Just like the version on the Price is Right, you can rent a Plinko board from most party game supply stores.

Wheels

Rent a game wheel from a party supply store. Rented wheels typically come with a large betting mat.

Crown and Anchor wheel

Guests bet on what suit will come up on the next spin of the wheel. Suits are heart, spade, diamond, club, crown and anchor. Each spin results in three suits displayed, eg: heart, heart, spade. Depending on the result of the spin, they may lose their money if their suit is not shown, win it back if it appears once, or double or triple it if the suit shows two or three times. Crown and Anchor wheels and mats are available for rent at party game supply stores.

Race wheel

Guests bet on horses/cars/animals, and spin the wheel to determine which toy advances in the race.

Over/under wheel

Guests bet on whether the wheel will stop at 7, "Over 7" or "Under 7"

Table Games

Run your own casino-style games with rented tables. Blackjack, craps, and roulette are popular options.

Poker tournament

Have a texas hold'em tournament throughout the evening. Last person standing wins half the pot.

What about...?

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