It's one of the easiest parties to throw — no playlists to worry about (the entertainment is built right in), comfort food is practically required, and nobody needs to dress up. But there are still some sticky situations that can throw a big-game party off track. Here's what to watch for — and how to head off problems at the pass.

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The Fix: Rather than serving all the goodies at the same time, think of the evening in five acts and space the food accordingly. Set out one or two room-temperature snacks for the first quarter. Second quarter is for heated munchies like pigs in a blanket. Serve a main dish at halftime, followed by dessert in the third or fourth quarter, depending on the stamina of your crew. Have coffee at the ready from halftime onward for any early departers.

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The Fix: Set out a few colorful permanent markers next to the buffet so people can label their cups. This way, mixups will be eliminated and your house won't fill up with "floaters" (you know, those random half-consumed drinks).

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The Fix: Put down the cocktail shaker. You have a long night ahead of you. More to the point, so do your guests; you don't need them pounding the hard stuff. Pacing is the name of the game here, so stick with less-potent offerings like beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water. Stash them in an ice-filled cooler on your deck or by the kitchen door. This frees up space in the fridge and gets people moving from the sofa (and nibbling more snacks). Don't forget the bottle opener.

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