How to find players for a new home game? (3 Viewers)

At this point, there is probably an entire thread dedicated the the Hot Dog Roller. They are very popular. I go next level...
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Of course, it helps when your crew contributes. However, poker is a skilled game. The more you play, the better you get. There is a very good chance you will play more than any of your other players, so you have the opportunity to get better than all of them. That helps to absorb some of the financial costs. The rest I attribute to the cost of entertainment.

On most nights, I spent $50 in food for a $20 buy-in. That's a cost I can budget for and absorb on a 8-9x a year party.
That’s gorgeous. That’s my dream game. To cook good-ish food for all my friends and play cards and bs. Spouses included if they like.

Do the +1s at your games/parties/tourneys play as well? Or do they usually sit out?
 
I would also say that having too low of a stake is also a barrier to entry. A few games I've been invited to were for $10 or $20, and it's not even worth the gas to go over there. Not that I'm against having fun, but there needs to be value had from getting my ass to a location that's 20-40 drive away. The sweet spot for our game is a $60-100 buy in, with multiple rebuys coming in throughout the night. It's friendly, and the winner gets to buy a new toy or take their SO out to brunch the next day.

A couple of my regulars did a $10 tourney and it lasted until 2 in the morning, and was only 7 players because they were trying to start something new. That scenario couldn't be more of a turn off to me. 7 hours of less than a full table tournament to win $35 in profit? I'd rather stay home and drink with the dogs.

Note to say that I will sit around and crush my friends for $5 all day long just to rub it in their face, but when you're trying to grow a regular poker game with acquaintances and outside players, something to consider.
That’s all good points but I’m not running a tourney until I know I’ll have players that would sit in for it. Also, all my players are currently 15 minutes or less drive and also mostly new to poker but like board games and other cars/strategy games… I wonder if $60 buy ins would attract more regulars or just scare off the new guys I’m trying to get up to speed. Probably both. As I ask around, I’ll have a better feel for what people want so it is important to keep the stakes in mind.

Thanks for the tip!
 
That’s all good points but I’m not running a tourney until I know I’ll have players that would sit in for it. Also, all my players are currently 15 minutes or less drive and also mostly new to poker but like board games and other cars/strategy games… I wonder if $60 buy ins would attract more regulars or just scare off the new guys I’m trying to get up to speed. Probably both. As I ask around, I’ll have a better feel for what people want so it is important to keep the stakes in mind.

Thanks for the tip!
Sitting in 45 min of traffic to go 20 miles is likely a heavily California-based issue, so it factors into everything we do ;) But if you're struggling to fill spots or keep people interested in returning, finding the appropriate buy-in, whether that's higher or lower, is a key factor.
 
Sounds like me. I'm the outlier here, but to me poker isn't about the money, it's just another game.
Nah I don’t think you’re an outlier. It’s just that as people get better, they can actually cash pretty well so higher stakes happen then increased competition and more intense game. I loved playing at the casino the one (1) time I did. Fish shaking like crazy and hit trip Q over set of 9s on the flop on a SHARK. Sometimes you only get that from higher stakes. Sometimes it’s fun to just play with buddies for $5-$20 too which is basically all I do.

From the posts I’ve read, most people here either LOVE chip collecting or playing cards. You’re not alone, you’re among friends!
 
Sounds like me. I'm the outlier here, but to me poker isn't about the money, it's just another game *edit that MUST be played with premium casino quality chips and would mean nothing to me without these ;)*

Yeah, not the outlier. At this point, I'm not in it for the money, but the love of poker and as a way to get to see people I wouldn't normally see.
 
That’s gorgeous. That’s my dream game. To cook good-ish food for all my friends and play cards and bs. Spouses included if they like.

Do the +1s at your games/parties/tourneys play as well? Or do they usually sit out?
Only once has a +1 sat out. They had their newborn with them and she wanted to make sure the baby did not disrupt the game.

Interesting side note: Couples improve dramatically faster than single players. They discuss hands on their way home. They discuss flaws they perceive in other player's games. When one learns a new poker theory, they are prone to discuss it with their partner, thus reinforcing the concept they learned while teaching their "+1". When one is eliminated from a tournament they don't "just go home" - they stay and have a chance to observe players and their strategies, and can later discuss what they saw and how they played. It's poker with feedback.

They may not become WSOP good, but my records show notable improvements, even as the game gets progressively harder.
 
Well, folks. I did it. I stuck out my neck and asked the bartender at my hangout if he likes cards. Turns out, him and ~3 others play poker for micro cash around his tiny coffee table. Showed him my setup and exchanged numbers. Maybe I’ll have a full game this weekend!
Hope it works out! If it doesn't, keep in mind it's not just about the setup. Sometimes its easier to go to someone else's game just to make sure everyone is on the same page before having a new group over. I've been to a few games where they played really strange rules. For example....they argue over what stakes to play the first 30 minutes, or play with jokers, or have a max buyin of less than 100 bbs, no rebuys allowed, have a strange cash/tourney type of structure.
 
At this point, there is probably an entire thread dedicated the the Hot Dog Roller. They are very popular. I go next level...
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View attachment 768876
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Of course, it helps when your crew contributes. However, poker is a skilled game. The more you play, the better you get. There is a very good chance you will play more than any of your other players, so you have the opportunity to get better than all of them. That helps to absorb some of the financial costs. The rest I attribute to the cost of entertainment.

On most nights, I spent $50 in food for a $20 buy-in. That's a cost I can budget for and absorb on a 8-9x a year party.
I can't seem to find the drool emoji.
 
That’s all good points but I’m not running a tourney until I know I’ll have players that would sit in for it. Also, all my players are currently 15 minutes or less drive and also mostly new to poker but like board games and other cars/strategy games… I wonder if $60 buy ins would attract more regulars or just scare off the new guys I’m trying to get up to speed. Probably both. As I ask around, I’ll have a better feel for what people want so it is important to keep the stakes in mind.

Thanks for the tip!
Stakes are tough. Once you go up in stakes, it's hard to come back down. Definitely ask around to get a feel for the group. Sounds like your group is heavy on loving to play games, maybe less on the gambling. I think you'll find they'll take it as a great challenge to get better at the game, and want to play more. I'd suggest keeping the stakes low in order to encourage them to play more.

I have a group that started out as a "for the love of the game" group that has evolved into really good players. We started at $20 tourneys, moved up to $40, and now we have 3-4 special tourneys each year for $100. Most of our games stay at $20 rebuys.
 
I do 25. 20 to the pot and 5 for bounty. One rebuy through round four. I also pay top 3 at 50/30/20. With a single table this works well. Running two tournaments the most you would lose is 100.

This is a home game and not about making money. I save that for the casino.
 
I used to put food out and I have a full wet bar stock to the gills. Also have a large projector screen and two large TVs. Most of the people don’t eat much and most bring their own beer or don’t drink at all. Most barely watch the TVs.

The reality is that I’ve been lucky enough to find a decent sized group of poker players…not just guys that like to play poker every once in a while. The way that came about was networking. WAY more important than anything else…though a nice spread is a nice touch and I wouldn’t object. ;)

But you need poker players! Always be asking people if they know anyone. Try to get a list of 10-14 players…more is better. Every time someone brings a new player, put them on the list for the next time. See if there is a local Facebook page for home games and play in any game you are invited to….even if it’s not really the stakes or style you prefer.

As far as setup, I do feel nice tables, cards, and chips help create a very professional feel that many people like. I’ve just upgraded my chairs a bit but to be honest didn’t get many complaints before…a few (wood padded folding chairs) but not many.
 
Hello all, this is my first post so please be nice to the newbie!

I have been playing poker with some friends on and off for about a year. I recently went up to AC and had a hell of a time playing with regulars in a 1/2 game and almost doubled up. Now, you gotta understand: I’m a new player. I love watching, reading, playing, and learning everything I can about poker but that doesn’t mean that I’m good. With semi-monthly games for a year I have only about 15-20 games under my belt. Yet, I have still decided to build a 6 seat table (will be finished in ~week) and have purchased chips from Apache.

I hope to create a home cash game with 6-8 handed group. The stakes will be .10/.20 with $20 buyins and probably capped to three but ins. I’ve got 2 guys that would be regulars weekly. The big question/point of this post is this: how do you all pick up new players? How do you vet them? When do you decided a player shouldn’t be invited back? How do I manage my home game properly?

My ideal response is a step-by-step checklist of how you all started and manage your own cash games!

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I recommend you start smoking cigars and hanging out at your local cigar bar. We have a cash game every day at 3 o’clock at our cigar bar with the same stakes you mentioned. We play with Paulson chips, modiano and kem cards and we always have a waiting line to get on the table. We play six days a week. Awesome fun.
 
I recommend you start smoking cigars and hanging out at your local cigar bar. We have a cash game every day at 3 o’clock at our cigar bar with the same stakes you mentioned. We play with Paulson chips, modiano and kem cards and we always have a waiting line to get on the table. We play six days a week. Awesome fun.
Ooo, did not think about that. Good idea and worth a shot!
 
I recommend you start smoking cigars and hanging out at your local cigar bar. We have a cash game every day at 3 o’clock at our cigar bar with the same stakes you mentioned. We play with Paulson chips, modiano and kem cards and we always have a waiting line to get on the table. We play six days a week. Awesome fun.
6 days a week at 3pm....is that a Florida thing? :)
 
Ooo, did not think about that. Good idea and worth a shot!
Try it. Nothing like a Padron and a glass of Blantons neet. In my experience cigar lovers also play poker. Goes together like peanut butter and jelly. The nicotine gets them in the door every day and the Poker keeps them into the night. As you get older you need some outlet in which to compete
 
Well, folks. I did it. I stuck out my neck and asked the bartender at my hangout if he likes cards. Turns out, him and ~3 others play poker for micro cash around his tiny coffee table. Showed him my setup and exchanged numbers. Maybe I’ll have a full game this weekend!
So did you end up having a game :7h::2c::ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 
6 days a week at 3pm....is that a Florida thing? :)
I guess so. Really great guys. Great atmosphere. We call it the club without dues. It’s like our testing lab. We really put our cards through the ringer. What good is having tons of paulson chips if you don’t have a place to use them. We have a ball
 

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