Okay so I'm thinking of setting up a game of Texas Hold Em' Poker with cigars. Basically the jist of this would be that 5 players would submit an "ante" of 5 "like" cigars. These cigars will be determined at a later date, but basically there would be 5 each of 5 different cigars in the "deck". Then two random cigars will be mailed out to each player. You will keep these, so that in the event that you lose, you still end up with two sticks. Then the blind will be revealed, 5 randomly selected cigars. Out of this, the player with the best possible "poker" hand wins the pot of the remaining cigars. So, the winner will end up with 17 cigars. Totally a game of chance and luck, no skill involved (meant to encourage those to play who may not really know how to play poker).

However, my question is this.. How to offset the cost of all the shipping for the host of the contest? I would very much like to see my idea come into fruition, but given the nature of the game, I would not be able to participate myself, and shipping out 6 packages total would be a loss on my end. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

You lost me. Are there playing cards involved or are the cigars taking the place of the cards?

No cards, only cigars. 5 cigars each of 5 different kinds of cigars. Example: 5 x Ashton VSG, 5 x Arturo Fuente Don Carlos #2, 5 x Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso #2, 5 x Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Gold Torpedo, and 5 x CAO Soprano Boss.

Its an interesting idea, I think I understand how it works. As for shipping you could always have the players throw in a few bucks or maybe an extra cigar for you as host and to offset the costs of shipping to everyone.

I also assume you as host would have to rank the brands. So for example Don Carlos's could be aces and a pair of them would beat a pair of anything else. Otherwise you may end up with a bunch of tied hands.