Payout Sh*tshow (2 Viewers)

definitely the BANKERS responsibility to keep track and make good on any discrepencies.

However... if this is a group of friends who play regular. If im up, im chipping in to make the bank right.
 
That is what frustrates me so much about these threads. People are so certain and so forceful and no exceptions, no excuses - ITS THE BANKERS RESPONSIBILITY!!! And I get it. I dont disagree. But on the other hand, why would anybody ever agree to be banker? We all want our games to be as professional as possible, to give our players the best experience. But in an actual professional game, the banker takes a rake, and gets some benefit to offset all the risk he's assuming.
I'm not saying we should rake our home games. And I'm not saying we shouldn't hold our bankers to the highest possible standards. But I do think we need to take a deep breath and just realize that the banker assumes all the risk for no benefit.
I'm one of the biggest proponents of "it's on the banker," as I've said in countless threads where this same type of issue has come up. As host, I choose to be the banker, and I choose to take on this responsibility.

My players know that if they come to my game, they will get what they are owed from the bank no matter what. This makes them comfortable handing me money, and it ensures that they will come back. They can have a good time and not worry about whether they will be able to cash out in full.

That's the benefit I get from taking on the responsibility of the bank.
 
Host pays any discrepancy. Host is the only one to handle receiving or giving out cash/chips. End of story.
It is not always a banker error. We've seen before the introduction of chips to a game by a guy who was well-liked by everyone.

If there's an error at the end of the night, verify that you don't have more chips than you started with. If they are secure chips, you'll have a heads up because they'll go missing a few games before.

I don't think an introduction of extra chips should necessarily be on the banker.
 
It is not always a banker error. We've seen before the introduction of chips to a game by a guy who was well-liked by everyone.

If there's an error at the end of the night, verify that you don't have more chips than you started with. If they are secure chips, you'll have a heads up because they'll go missing a few games before.

I don't think an introduction of extra chips should necessarily be on the banker.
It's definitely a good idea to count and verify your bank after a session; I do it every time. But for most of us, I think introduction of chips by a player is something that will never happen. Most of us play with chips that aren't easily obtained by your average non-PCF Joe.

If you feel comfortable having a rule that covers this situation and that works for your group, then that's fine. Or maybe you should just buy new chips. ;)
 
It's definitely a good idea to count and verify your bank after a session; I do it every time. But for most of us, I think introduction of chips by a player is something that will never happen. Most of us play with chips that aren't easily obtained by your average non-PCF Joe.

If you feel comfortable having a rule that covers this situation and that works for your group, then that's fine. Or maybe you should just buy new chips. ;)
I'm satisfied with my custom BCCs and ASMs.
Semi custom from @BR Pro Poker = cost effective security
 
This is why 99% of my games are 2-3 chip denomination games with a 4th for color up. I feel like it helps everyone involved. Keeps its simple. I see so many people’s sets that have all these 100s and 500s in play. I don’t get it. Maybe I’m wrong but how many people here REALLY play home games where you need those?

Well… The thing is with high denoms in a cash game… On the rare occasion that I have to use a few, I am going to remember exactly how many are in play.

If a chip is worth 50 BB and I give out four full 150 BB rebuys with these high denom chips over the course of the evening, I know there are only 12 in play.

Example: 1/2 game, $300 max buyin, each paid as three black $100 chips, x 4 = 12. So if anything more than 12 black chips appeared at payouts, I would know something was very wrong, and that it almost certainly wasn’t my error.
 
It is not always a banker error. We've seen before the introduction of chips to a game by a guy who was well-liked by everyone.

If there's an error at the end of the night, verify that you don't have more chips than you started with. If they are secure chips, you'll have a heads up because they'll go missing a few games before.

I don't think an introduction of extra chips should necessarily be on the banker.
If someone swipes a $5 chip (let's say accidently, because the idea of harvesting at a home game makes me a little sick), then returns with it the next game, wouldn't you still pay out the $5? I get checking to see if you have too many chips - if the bank is short - but otherwise, it's still cash to chips to cash.

Obviously, tournaments are different, and I do a count of those each game. Had a T100 chip "disappear". Made a comment about it in the newsletter, and it returned the next game. I will operate on the assumption that I simply miscounted (CPC chips aren't always uniform in thickness). Either way a T100 "advantage" is less than many games round off during color-up.

That is what frustrates me so much about these threads. People are so certain and so forceful and no exceptions, no excuses - ITS THE BANKERS RESPONSIBILITY!!! And I get it. I dont disagree. But on the other hand, why would anybody ever agree to be banker? We all want our games to be as professional as possible, to give our players the best experience. But in an actual professional game, the banker takes a rake, and gets some benefit to offset all the risk he's assuming.
I'm not saying we should rake our home games. And I'm not saying we shouldn't hold our bankers to the highest possible standards. But I do think we need to take a deep breath and just realize that the banker assumes all the risk for no benefit.
The host always takes risks. An unclaimed spill on the carpet - do you ask your players to chip in to clean it? Broken chips, card damage, broken chairs - it's all on the host. I have had all those happen to me, and I have absorbed all those costs myself. I cannot even imagine charging my friends for my expense. It is all on me.

...and I have spent well over $100 to fix it. Never balked at hosting another game.

Though the guy that spilled the wine was never invited back.
 
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my bank has come up short and with extra a few times in my early hosting. I have always taken it upon myself as host and banker to make sure everyone gets paid out what they have. If the bank is short, I pay out the extra from my own winnings or even losses...if theres extra, i leave it in the bank for a week and if no one speaks up, its mine. Host/Banker absorbs all those responsibilities
++1 this ^^^^

I drink while I play, so it's not unusual for me to end up off a few dollars. I ALWAYS ensure that everybody gets paid out in full. I'd like to tell you that I also get to keep any extra, but that shit never happens...LOL.
 
We all want our games to be as professional as possible, to give our players the best experience. But in an actual professional game, the banker takes a rake, and gets some benefit to offset all the risk he's assuming.
Until we have a political culture where taking rake is acceptable, this means you have an obligation to tip your host.

I get what you are saying about how banking is all risk and no reward, but there is no acceptable alternative that doesn't just short everyone (a rake) or introduce more error.
 
I won't let my players leave a tip for the host (me). Now if they want to bring extra beer or bait for the hot dog roller, that's cool
I do not rake. I appreciate anyone bringing extra food.
I am a very firm believer that turning down a tip is rude. I try to graciously accept any tip and donation and let my players know that I appreciate the gesture.
I am also a good tipper at other people’s home games because of my belief system. I am aware of the time and money involved in hosting and I feel like I want to contribute to their efforts.
 
Hosting Downsides
  • Costs
  • Set-up, tear down (greatly mitigated with a dedicated poker room)
  • Your drinking has to be balanced with your responsibilities
  • Maintenance of tables, cards, cleaning etc.
  • New surprise chipsets to prevent counterfeits
Hosting Upsides
  • New surprise chipsets to prevent counterfeits
  • You can drink as much as you want. After your 3rd bourbon, f*** responsibility
  • You pick the cards, chips, tables, chairs, games to be played, house rules, blind structures and buy-ins
  • The thermostat is set to your comfort level - provided the AC can keep up
  • Commute from game to bed is about 30 seconds
  • You select the guest list
  • Game ends when you want it to
Quite frankly the worst part of hosting is the continual cost, which is outweighed by any of the upsides.
 
Locked drawer in front of me as the host with the chips in it. Give me money I give you chips. No rake so it's easy. When people cash out they count it, then I recount it. If the game is over and a bunch of people cash out, everyone counts out in front of them and leaves their chips there. I pay out - no one gets up until everything is correct. Pretty fool proof. Never had an issue.
 
  • The thermostat is set to your comfort level - provided the AC can keep up
Yes! Casino cold-like conditions! I'm glad I'm not the only one to prefer this. Some of my regs are known to bring a beanie cap, scarf, cold-weather parka, house slippers, etc. when they come over during the hot months.

I enjoy it feeling like a meat locker in mi casa during the Midwest summer months :LOL: :laugh:
 
If someone swipes a $5 chip (let's say accidently, because the idea of harvesting at a home game makes me a little sick), then returns with it the next game, wouldn't you still pay out the $5? I get checking to see if you have too many chips - if the bank is short - but otherwise, it's still cash to chips to cash.

IIRC, the issue raised in a previous thread was not secure chips. So it's not that the bank was over a previous game... maybe my memory is wrong.

But yes, if it were my chips, which are secure, I'd pay it out.
 
++1 this ^^^^

I drink while I play, so it's not unusual for me to end up off a few dollars. I ALWAYS ensure that everybody gets paid out in full. I'd like to tell you that I also get to keep any extra, but that shit never happens...LOL.
I have tried to leave extra at your game and you made damn sure that doesnt happen.....so it's on you, buddy.
 
I’ll second that multiple denominations make things difficult. For years I only hosted $2/4 or $3/6 limit and then $1/2 NL when cash NL became the thing. I only used $1s and $5 and it was easy.
For the last few years $.50/1 has been the most common game which requires 3 denominations. That little difference makes it far more annoying to count out at the end of the night after several beers. I’ve had a few night when I was off $5-10 bucks….usually long sections with heavy drinking
Also makes starting stacks less straight forward. The common buy in for $1/2 NL has almost tripled since it first started at casinos but I always capped the buyin at an easy to count out number. Originally $120 with a barrel of white and one of red and now $220 with an extra barrel of red.
 
Nah, just keep them off the table, and secure with the cash. Banker only one in or out, and everything is fine.
 

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