Home poker games are great excuses to pig out on junk food, but not all snacks are suitable for poker play. I’ve picked out 8 surefire snacks that will help keep the players playing and not using hunger as an excuse to leave. The key to the list below is that the food is generally mess free and is easy to snack on before, during, and after poker hands.

1. Tortilla chips
   Unlike potato chips, tortilla chips are much less greasy and should prove to be a much cleaner snack at the poker table. However, many people like dip with their tortilla chips, and that dip adds a potential messy factor.
2. Pretzels
   Pretzels are great at the poker table because they’re clean, easy to pass around, and don’t break apart very easily.
3. Beef sticks and jerky
   If you’re looking for something with a little more meat (pardon the pun), jerky and beef sticks should suit you well. They can be a little greasy depending on the kind you get, but they are clean snacks at the poker table and are often an item people don’t expect but instantly appreciate.
4. Cheese and crackers
   Crackers are generally a clean and tasty poker treat. Add cheese and you’ve got a fairly fancy spread for your poker buddies. You can add other toppings as you see fit (salami, peanut butter, etc.)
5. Cookies
   Who says you can’t have sweets at the poker table? Cookies are great because they don’t leave much of a mess, though depending on the type you get, you can get a lot of crums. Cookies like Oreos or other small, solid cookies work best.
6. Mini candies
   Large candy bars don’t work very well since the chocolate can be quite messy. Candy lovers fear not! The bitesize versions of your favorite candy should keep your poker chips clean and your poker pals coming back for more. You can also put Skittles, Reeses Pieces, or M&Ms in a large bowl and pass those around.
7. Bagel bites
   If you want a more substantial snack at your poker table, bagel bites may just hit the spot. They require some time in the microwave or oven, but these bitesize pizza snacks leave no mess and are enough to satisfy the hungriest of poker players.
8. Vegetables
   Ok I, personally, am not a fan of vegetables, but many people are and since they are grease free they make for a perfect snacking alternative to the unhealthy junk foods listed above. You don’t want vegetables to be the only option, as eating unhealthy junk food is part of the allure of the home game!

The above list is obviously only a small sampling of the possibilities. If you’ve got some killer poker snack ideas of your own, post them in the comments below so your fellow poker enthusiasts can try them out at their next home games.