The best team building activities in London get everyone involved from the first minute, give people something to talk about afterwards and connect back to how the team works. Our Aces High workshop does all three: an immersive poker experience, designed for beginners, where teams practise negotiation, deep listening and decision-making in high-stakes moments. We come to your office or a venue anywhere in London, for teams of 6 to 60+, with zero gambling at any point.
What makes a team building activity work?
Start with what you want the team to leave with. Some teams want new starters to get to know the people they work with. Others want to reconnect after a busy quarter, or to practise a skill they use every day.
Three questions help you compare options:
Can everyone take part? Everyone, from the quietest new starter to the most competitive, should have a seat at the table.
Will it get people talking? The best activities give a team stories and in-jokes they bring back to the office.
Does it connect to work? A facilitator who links the game to how your team negotiates, listens and decides turns a fun afternoon into something useful.
Which team building activities suit a corporate team in London?
London has plenty of choice: cookery classes, escape rooms, treasure hunts and competitive socialising. Many teams have done them all and want something new, a half day of organised fun that still connects back to work. Our workshop is built to feel like a brilliant night out, while quietly delivering the kind of insight normally reserved for a formal training day.
Why does poker work as a team building activity?
Poker is a microcosm of how we show up in the real world. Every hand is a decision made with incomplete information, under a little pressure, with colleagues watching. Who jumps in first? Who waits? Who reads the room brilliantly?
Our facilitators draw out those moments and connect them to work: reading the signals in pacing, posture and hesitation, knowing and asserting your value, and staying calm when the pressure is on.
What happens on the day?
Our signature workshop runs in four parts:
Traitor or faithful? A Traitors-style body language game of bluff, to learn to read the room like a pro.
Strategy in action: a beginner tutorial and a team challenge that dives into negotiation and deep listening.
Poker personality: discover your poker personality profile and how it shows up on and off the table.
Tournament time! Try your negotiation tactics and poker face to win prizes, trophies and bragging rights!
Every session is tailored to your team and objectives, so we can zoom in on one skill or dial it up into a celebration.
“This was hands down our best team building event to date, with lots of requests to do it again! Jo and the Aces High team delivered a really fun but valuable session that got us thinking about body language, listening and decision making. It catered for the experienced poker players amongst us along with our absolute beginners. 100% recommended!”
Emma Fardell, CFO & COO, Richborough
How many people can take part?
We typically host teams of 6 to 60+, in tables of up to eight, so a team of 30 plays across four tables. However, we are expert organisers and can host much larger, bespoke events too.
Where in London can we hold it?
Anywhere with a private room. We are fully mobile and bring tournament-grade tables, professional dealers and premium chips and kit to your office, a hotel or a function room. If you need somewhere, we can recommend partner venues across London. You arrange food, drink and the room directly with the venue, with no mark up taken by Aces High.
When should we book?
Many teams book their Q1 offsites and away days in the autumn, and an offsite often comes round once a year, so it helps to plan early. If you are planning a full away day, you may also like our article on corporate away day ideas in London, and if your firm is in law, consulting, accountancy or finance, our article on team building for professional services firms in London.
Questions before booking
Does anyone need to know how to play?
No. Our workshops are designed for complete beginners to poker, and our facilitators guide every table through the basics step by step. Experienced players are challenged too, so everyone leaves with something new.
Is there any gambling?
No, never. Nobody stakes money at any point. We play for chips and prizes, and the focus is on skills and learning.
How long is the workshop?
Our signature workshop is neatly packaged into 3-4 hours, including breaks. However, all workshops are fully bespoke, so we can work to your session timings.
Can it fit around a strategy session?
Yes. Our workshop follows nicely from a working session, and we tailor the timings and content to your programme and audience.
Can you come to our office?
Yes. We bring the tables, cards and kit to your office or venue, or we can recommend partner venues across London.
To plan your team building and receive a tailored proposal, tell us about your event on our contact page.
