Hosting $1/$2 Game - Need Some Tips (1 Viewer)

[justsomedude]

I'm setting up a "high stakes" night for some of the guys in my group. We're planning to run $1/$2 blinds and I need some advice for some scenarios I know I'll run into...

1. We'll have a dedicated dealer - what works as a good makeshift tip box?
2. Max buyin is $250. However, how do I handle addons and reloads? I know one player who loves to go a little crazy with constant addons so he can have a stack and push people around. I don't want him throwing $250 down when he drops to $190. What's the best/most appropriate way to do this? I was thinking about setting a table rebuy limit of 3/4 the big stack? Does the following rule make sense?

"Min. buyin $60 / Max. buyin $250 / Unlimited reloads to 3/4 big stack"

3. The rules are "table stakes / cash plays." Given question #2 - what is the proper way to handle $100 bills dropped behind some one's stack when they have $300 in play and are around the average size stack. Do I let this play even though it may put them above 3/4 the big stack? Or should I just say "no cash" and let the dealer handle all rebuys?

Basically, I'm just trying to keep buyin stack sizes under control. There's only one player I'm worried about, but I know he'd love to get $500 stacked in front of him from his bankroll off the bat if he could (most guys will be buying in at $100 to $200 or so). And I want to avoid him intimidating everyone from the start.

Any other advice/tips I might be missing to help keep my game calm and controlled would be appreciated.

THANKS!

 

[manamongkids]

1. An empty rack in front of him

2. Tell them anyone can reload up to $250 at any time. From there it is roughly 1/2 the big stack. No need to be nit picky about having them have the exact precise 1/2 or 3/4 stack of the biggest stack.

3. no Cash is easier if you have the chips to support it. however, knowing your matsuis (I think) you should be fine.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Most $1/2 and all games in general have a max buy in ceiling no matter what. Usually for $1/2 it is $300.

So if someone is in for $300 then loses $180 on the first hand, the most he can add in is $120 to top off back to $300

 

[BGinGA]

1. A slide-under cup holder works well (a napkin in the bottom will baffle noise and protect chips). The dealer can chip-up to larger chips through you (usually during breaks), keeping the lower denoms in play..

2. Already covered nicely above. I personally like the $300 hard ceiling on add-ons/re-buys, with a 50%-largest-stack limit.

3. No cash - house table currency only. Only time cash should be allowed on the table is when re-buying chips.


Have a written/posted set of rules. Doesn't need to be exhaustive, just the basics - and you can always reference RROP or another set of rules to cover those areas not specifically addressed. You won't need 'em until you need 'em. Don't get caught without.

 

[Kyle]

I agree with Rhodeman and BG. Looking forward to the game! (y) :thumbsup:

 

[justsomedude]

Thanks guys - appreciate the help!

I'll print out RROP for sure. I just gotta watch out for @Kyle ... that guy's dodgy.

Last time I played with him he had quad aces... with an ace kicker.

 

[Kyle]

Thanks guys - appreciate the help!

I'll print out RROP for sure. I just gotta watch out for @Kyle ... that guy's dodgy.

Last time I played with him he had quad aces... with an ace kicker.

Well I only play good hands. Ha ha!

 

[bergs]

Some quick tips:

1) Make the max BI $300. Far easier to deal with hundo and twenty dollar bills and not with fives and tens. Also easier for chips - stack of red $5s or a single hundo chip if you have them.

2) Let players top off to the max whenever, but make the max $300, not half the biggest stack. If this guy is as anxious as you say he is to get a big stack on the table he may start demanding counts of the bigger stacks and slow the game down.

3) If he wants to consistently top off between hands, sell him a bunch of $25 chips and tell him he can't have more than $300 on the table at a time and all the big chips out in front. Dealer will need to keep an eye on him but it shouldn't be hard with a simple consistent $300 max buyin. Then the player can manage their own add-ons and you won't have a dealer giving him chips every time he posts the blinds and folds.

Make sure the player knows that the buyin rules exist for everyone, and that if he's found adding to his stack in any way it will not be tolerated. You don't want to a disruptive force in your game - it's bad for everyone - and though overtopping isn't as egregious as cheating, it is something that's even frowned on between regs at most casinos (speaking from experience with Mohegan 2/5 here).

 

[Jimulacrum]

1. A basic chip rack will do the trick. This also gives the dealer a handy change bank as his tips accumulate, which can save time. Also also, it allows you to see at a glance how much it is costing the game to have a dealer.

2. Don't underestimate the "1/2 the biggest stack" rule. It can make the game play a lot bigger than the nominal stakes indicate. Based on the game conditions you're describing, it may be best to go with a flat $300 or maybe $400 limit, as bergs suggests.

3. Require chips for all money on the table, no cash. Cash is messier, and it creates an increased risk of misunderstandings and ratholing. Plus, high-denom chips are fun to have in play.

 

[courage]

All good advice so far. You also need to determine if you're going to allow a straddle or not, and what type (Mississippi or regular) and what limit (uncapped, 2x or 3x the BB, or $5 are options). For example, it might be $5 UTG only so players don't do it from any position. Or uncapped and let them put their stack in lol. No wrong answer but Mr Big Stack will likely ask that question once he finds out he can't overload buy-ins.

 

[Mental Nomad]

For the dealer's sake, I prefer the cup method, or some other opaque tip jar. If the tips are in an open rack, some people become less generous if the dealer is doing decently. They need the good nights to make up for the bad nights, or they won't keep coming.

Otherwise, I agree with the good advice you've been getting in this thread.

 

[Mental Nomad]

And I'm assuming there's no rake, but if there is, make sure the rake and the tips go to opposite sides of the dealer.

 

[justsomedude]

And I'm assuming there's no rake, but if there is, make sure the rake and the tips go to opposite sides of the dealer.

No rake.

 

[pltrgyst]

I limit all my games to 200BB maximum buy-in. Add-ons at any time between hands (until the dealer picks up the cut deck), in $20 increments only (to avoid wasted time), up to the 200 BB limit. E..g., 1/2 game, with a stack of $124, max. add-on is $260, to a stack size of $384.

Cash never plays -- that's just asking for trouble.

 

[brains613]

If the tips are in an open rack, some people become less generous if the dealer is doing decently.

I deal a 1/2 game, and I actually take my tips OFF the table. I use a little ring until I get five whites or a red, and take them off the table and put them in what was a bread crumb container. There's a couple napkins in the bottom, and I cut a hole in the plastic lid so I can slide a chip into it. When I was keeping the whites on the table, I would color up my whites into a pot, and then put the red in my jar. Now, since I have two racks in play in the starting stacks, I just take the whites off and keep them off. The game ends at a specific time, and it works out well to have maybe 10-20 whites on the table during payouts. If the whites on the table get too low, which is rare, I just add some back into a couple pots in a row.

 

[Solid Snake]

If chip tray is not available an empty chip rack should do the trick for the dealers/house tips and rebuys. I would use a whiteboard for the rules. Board also works perfect for high hand pots for the night.

 

[H300]

Courage makes a excellent point regarding straddles. By limiting them or not allowing them you discourage the 'bullying' by keeping the value low.

For my games I limit buy in and reload to 400 BB or 1/2 of the biggest stack.

 

[churlbut18]

To add to what was previously stated regarding #2...

The big stack has worked hard to become the big stack so you don't want to negate their advantage by setting add on/rebuy equal to big stack. Therefore, sticking with the "up to max buy in" rule works well.

Using the "up to 1/2 or 3/4" may be good to keep things proportional to the growing stacks but as someone indicated earlier it could make the game play bigger than desired.

 

[manamongkids]

To add to what was previously stated regarding #2...

The big stack has worked hard to become the big stack so you don't want to negate their advantage by setting add on/rebuy equal to big stack. Therefore, sticking with the "up to max buy in" rule works well.

Using the "up to 1/2 or 3/4" may be good to keep things proportional to the growing stacks but as someone indicated earlier it could make the game play bigger than desired.

Agreed to a point. I dont think the host should prematurely decide if he wants the game to get big. The flow of the game will dictate that, no one should be protecting players from themselves in games like these.

 

[justsomedude]

Thanks for all of the help guys - this is really great. Here's my first pass at my rules sign... please comment/advise as you see fit!!

I was thinking of altering rule #3 to state, "anytime reloads up to $300 or half the big stack - whichever is greater - in increments of $20."

Thoughts?

 

[Kyle]

To add to what was previously stated regarding #2...

The big stack has worked hard to become the big stack so you don't want to negate their advantage by setting add on/rebuy equal to big stack. Therefore, sticking with the "up to max buy in" rule works well.

Using the "up to 1/2 or 3/4" may be good to keep things proportional to the growing stacks but as someone indicated earlier it could make the game play bigger than desired.

Completely agree with this.

 

[Kyle]

Thanks for all of the help guys - this is really great. Here's my first pass at my rules sign... please comment/advise as you see fit!!

View attachment 35875

I was thinking of altering rule #3 to state, "anytime reloads up to $300 or half the big stack - whichever is greater - in increments of $20."

Thoughts?

I like what Churlbut said. It also keeps things simple. I know I cannot walk into a $300 max game at a casino and then demand I can be able to buy in for $1000 because some players at the table has that in front of them as a result of winning. Just my 2 cents but this is your home game.(y) :thumbsup:

 

[justsomedude]

I like what Churlbut said. It also keeps things simple. I know I cannot walk into a $300 max game at a casino and then demand I can be able to buy in for $1000 because some players at the table has that in front of them as a result of winning. Just my 2 cents but this is your home game.(y) :thumbsup:

I'll keep the $300 limit. The only reason I'd change it would be to try and keep this guy happy. But the way I see it, I'd rather have a consistent game than some one constantly trying to add on to their stack.

 

[abby99]

Granted, the players themselves and the flow of the game dictate how big a game will play, but growth can be encouraged or contained by the buy-in and rebuy maximums. Set your limits based on the majority of your players, not the one guy who complains that the game plays too big or too small.

In my game the max buy-in is 200 big blinds, and players can top up or rebuy to that max. To make top-ups easy, I'll round up to as much as the next increment of $20 -- if the max is $200 and a player has $112, he can add on $100. The difference is too small to worry about.

 

[12thMan]

My thoughts, mostly just echoing what other have said with my own preferences:

-A fanny pack not only makes an incredible fashion statement but also a convenient place for the dealer to put tokes.

-Definitely agree with not putting the dealers tokes in a rack on the table, the first thing I thought of when I read this is that's a bad idea for the reasons mentioned above. Smart "tip jar people" will never have a jar stuffed with cash sitting on the counter for tips, the fuller it is the more apt people are not to throw in. I don't think that's just anecdotal either, I'm pretty sure I have read that's been a proven phenomenon. (This is assuming you want the dealer to have the best chance at making a little extra)

-I would always have the "add on" be up to the initial buy in max (or right around it, five or ten bucks either side of it if that's how their cash works out is never a huge deal in a home game.)

-$300 buy in for a $1/$2 game is great and more than fair, it's also going to make a "good" game, plenty of chips and money on the table. The dumb ass casino I play at is $200 max for a $1/$3 game...ridiculous.


Have fun! Wish I had a seat at the game!!

 

[ThinkingFold]

Thanks for all of the help guys - this is really great. Here's my first pass at my rules sign... please comment/advise as you see fit!!

View attachment 35875

I was thinking of altering rule #3 to state, "anytime reloads up to $300 or half the big stack - whichever is greater - in increments of $20."

Thoughts?

Would go with "Anytime reloads up to $300 when not actively in hand." Hate when anyone tries to rebuy in the middle of a hand. Think it should never be allowed and always clearly state that.

#MyTwoCents

 

[Solid Snake]

Totally agree with Abby, on letting the majority of players dictate the limits of the game.

 

[12thMan]

Would go with "Anytime reloads up to $300 when not actively in hand." Hate when anyone tries to rebuy in the middle of a hand. Think it should never be allowed and always clearly state that.

#MyTwoCents

Would obviously 100% agree with this, but in all honesty I think this is only an issue in the movies. "I'll see your $500------------*chricket chirp*------------, and raise you the deed to muh farm!" That's usually the point the hero has to take off his wedding ring, unholster his pistol, and walk his horse into the bar to "call" the bet.

Seriously though, I think table stakes is 99.99999999999% standard, I've never played any game where you could add on in the middle of a hand.

 

[manamongkids]

-Definitely agree with not putting the dealers tokes in a rack on the table, the first thing I thought of when I read this is that's a bad idea for the reasons mentioned above. Smart "tip jar people" will never have a jar stuffed with cash sitting on the counter for tips, the fuller it is the more apt people are not to throw in. I don't think that's just anecdotal either, I'm pretty sure I have read that's been a proven phenomenon. (This is assuming you want the dealer to have the best chance at making a little extra)

Having a tip rack will make making change easier though. If he gets 5 x $1s he can swap them for 1 $5 and keep coloring up as he see fits. Which he can remove at his pleasure. Just my 2c

 

[moose]

Our dealer puts the tips into the cupholder next to her. We play .50/.50 $100 max, no-one can rebuy for over $100, except as Abby says, we don't care if someone is a few dollars over.

I hate the idea of people putting chips in their pocket for later addons, the only time I have lost chips is when people started putting extra chips in their pocket, hence why we don't care if a rebuy puts someone a little bit over the $100 max. Now $25 or $100 chips are less likely to be forgotten, but still, if people leave early with chips in their pocket, you won't know the count is off until the game breaks.