Absolute must do's for home game (2 Viewers)

Ok no more talking about not talking about politics lol get this back on track!

Recruit recruit recruit!

Also if the weather looks like rain for 2-3 days we usually get impromptu games.

When out of towners come home we get impromptu games.

Loooking forward to wed before and Friday after thxgiving for a game or two.
 
HAHA! Love all the comments and suggestions! I definitely like the hot dog roller idea. Right now it's usually just pizza. Or whatever snacks people decide they want. Hot dogs seem much cheaper and much lower maintenance!

As for the equipment, I do have decent enough chips (in the market for better ones), always use Copag cards, have a nice 9ish player table that I completely re-upholstered a few months ago and we use the padded metal folding chairs. Those aren't the best in the world, but at least they're padded. Between getting drinks, food, bathroom and whatever else, asses usually aren't numb. We also usually do whatever sporting event is happening on the TV for some background noise.

We play .25/.50 as that seems to be the magic number for now. I personally refuse to go any lower, but some of the less serious guys got turned off when $1/$2 was proposed.

Again, thanks for the replies! Keep them coming, love hearing and seeing what everyone does!
 
I try to get 4-5 solid YES, then 4-10 MAYBES. And 5-6 handed poker is still a lot of fun. Try not to reschedule. Even if you get 4, try a freezeout tournament. At least those 4 people get to get out of the house and play cards...and practice shorthand tournament!

Comfortable chairs, I won't go to other games I know bc the chairs are not comfortable. Or I will leave early. Food isn't that important to most players in all reality.

Splash Pots (We take $1/hand, once it gets to $30+ or so or more, we do splash pots, bomb pots, we even have a wheel we spin, etc something to get the money into the next hand for action)

Usually Friday/Saturday nights work best. Sometimes I plan 2 weeks ahead, sometimes 4-5 days ahead. I'm going with Sunday tournaments this Fall during fball season. Interested to see how it goes. Going to try multiple Sundays with different times to see what ends up working better.

Trial and error. And bigger player pool like @umbkcshah said.
I like all of this. That's what I tried to do for the upcoming game. I broadened my invite list expecting 3-4 players to either not respond or cancel prior to. Usually it's a Saturday evening game and we start early enough where we can get several hours of good play in to allow the folks who don't like being out late to come and not feel rushed or turned off by a potentially late running game.
 
Those aren't the best in the world, but at least they're padded. Between getting drinks, food, bathroom and whatever else, asses usually aren't numb.
If they're padded you're winning. I was using wooden dining room chairs for a while and asses were confirmed numb
We play .25/.50 as that seems to be the magic number for now. I personally refuse to go any lower, but some of the less serious guys got turned off when $1/$2 was proposed.
What are your min/max buy ins? I do $25/$100. Small enough to get the cheapos there but still big enough to get some money on the table.
 
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Decide the environment you want for your game and recruit accordingly.

I play in two games, one is "middle aged dads drinking beer and also playing poker" the other is "we are serious casino, read our rulebook".

Players from the first game hate the second and vice versa.
 
Despite this being a poker chip forum, they are the least important thing about a good home game. The playing space being suitable for a handful of drunk, rowdy poker players is important. Best not to get side eyes or glares down the stairs from a significant other or spouse.

With that, in order of importance (IMO), it goes comfortable chairs, durable PLASTIC playing cards, a nice table, and the chips in dead last. I and most people would rather play on a wooden table with dice chips as long as the game is played with plastic cards and a comfortable chair to sit in for 4+ hour session. If you have a limited budget to start out, buy things for your game in this order in order of importance above.

The food is secondary but also important. At minimum, I have light snacks, water, soda, and some beers in the fridge on the house, and I encourage anyone who likes to drink anything different to bring some to share. I communicate ahead of time if we're going to order out or if I'm going to cook or otherwise have something unique.

All of the replies are good so far, but here's one that's important too. Communication. Email, text, evite, all of the above to remind players of upcoming games. Better to overcommunicate than under. Not everyone checks their email or texts 24/7. Know the best way to get a hold of your players.
 
Decide the environment you want for your game and recruit accordingly.

I play in two games, one is "middle aged dads drinking beer and also playing poker" the other is "we are serious casino, read our rulebook".

Players from the first game hate the second and vice versa.
This is pretty solid right here, though I would suggest there is a middle ground, which is where I try to operate. The game is *mostly* about the hang out but it is *definitely* about the hangout while playing poker.

The mix of people is probably the most important. You'll want there to be some common ground you can work from.

I error on the side of friendly because If I want to hang out with super slick read the book loudmouth dickheads there is a Casino nearby.
 
If they're padded you're winning. I was using wooden dining room chairs for a while and asses were confirmed numb
Haha, that's true!

What are your min/max buy ins? I do $25/$100. Small enough to get the cheapos there but still big enough to get some money on the table.
We're doing $20 / $80. Capped it at 160bb so nobody can come in at $100 and just bully the cheapskates and so we don't have to make weird change, most people bring $20's. Plus, usually get a few rebuys at least so that helps too.
 
Despite this being a poker chip forum, they are the least important thing about a good home game. The playing space being suitable for a handful of drunk, rowdy poker players is important. Best not to get side eyes or glares down the stairs from a significant other or spouse.

With that, in order of importance (IMO), it goes comfortable chairs, durable PLASTIC playing cards, a nice table, and the chips in dead last. I and most people would rather play on a wooden table with dice chips as long as the game is played with plastic cards and a comfortable chair to sit in for 4+ hour session. If you have a limited budget to start out, buy things for your game in this order in order of importance above.

The food is secondary but also important. At minimum, I have light snacks, water, soda, and some beers in the fridge on the house, and I encourage anyone who likes to drink anything different to bring some to share. I communicate ahead of time if we're going to order out or if I'm going to cook or otherwise have something unique.

All of the replies are good so far, but here's one that's important too. Communication. Email, text, evite, all of the above to remind players of upcoming games. Better to overcommunicate than under. Not everyone checks their email or texts 24/7. Know the best way to get a hold of your players.
Great stuff! My crowd doesn't get rowdy, but if we do, the whole basement is fair game and have a room and big couch down there if anybody needs to stay, haha.
I'm going to start implementing maybe an email / text group. That's my biggest complaint currently is rounding everyone up. From no responses to texting individually to confirm. Need to start a group so it's maybe an initial email/text as a means to get a head count, then a reminder / confirmation message a week or so before. Would make my life much easier for sure!
 
This is pretty solid right here, though I would suggest there is a middle ground, which is where I try to operate. The game is *mostly* about the hang out but it is *definitely* about the hangout while playing poker.

The mix of people is probably the most important. You'll want there to be some common ground you can work from.

I error on the side of friendly because If I want to hang out with super slick read the book loudmouth dickheads there is a Casino nearby.
HAHA yes! Our group is all like minded, many of us either work together currently or used to work together. At the very least, we do other things together besides play poker. So it works out in favor of the "friendly" aspect in terms of convo and comradery. Cards on the other hand, everybody wants everybody's money, no friends there.
 
Great stuff! My crowd doesn't get rowdy, but if we do, the whole basement is fair game and have a room and big couch down there if anybody needs to stay, haha.
I'm going to start implementing maybe an email / text group. That's my biggest complaint currently is rounding everyone up. From no responses to texting individually to confirm. Need to start a group so it's maybe an initial email/text as a means to get a head count, then a reminder / confirmation message a week or so before. Would make my life much easier for sure!
That's what I do. I usually set game dates about 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time, then a reminder about a week ahead of time, then a final reminder the day of or the day before.
 
Great stuff! My crowd doesn't get rowdy, but if we do, the whole basement is fair game and have a room and big couch down there if anybody needs to stay, haha.
I'm going to start implementing maybe an email / text group. That's my biggest complaint currently is rounding everyone up. From no responses to texting individually to confirm. Need to start a group so it's maybe an initial email/text as a means to get a head count, then a reminder / confirmation message a week or so before. Would make my life much easier for sure!
I try to avoid the group texts. Supper annoying, especially if there is iPhone + droid. And people easily ignore it and won't get back to you.

I try one group text, and I end the message with DO NOT REPLY BACK. Then next day or later that day follow up one on one.
 
Great stuff! My crowd doesn't get rowdy, but if we do, the whole basement is fair game and have a room and big couch down there if anybody needs to stay, haha.
I'm going to start implementing maybe an email / text group. That's my biggest complaint currently is rounding everyone up. From no responses to texting individually to confirm. Need to start a group so it's maybe an initial email/text as a means to get a head count, then a reminder / confirmation message a week or so before. Would make my life much easier for sure!
Check out the invite tracker in the resources section. I've yet to implement it in my game but it looks really cool and I'm planning on trying it out soon.
 
I try to avoid the group texts. Supper annoying, especially if there is iPhone + droid. And people easily ignore it and won't get back to you.

I try one group text, and I end the message with DO NOT REPLY BACK. Then next day or later that day follow up one on one.
Yeah, that's why I'm thinking email maybe. I play a lot of basketball also on various teams and pickup. The group texts are the most annoying thing I've ever experienced both being the "host" of them and just simply being added to them haha. I just equally despise texting everybody individually because I lose track sometimes on who's responded.

Check out the invite tracker in the resources section. I've yet to implement it in my game but it looks really cool and I'm planning on trying it out soon.
Awesome, I'll do that. Thanks!
 
Been playing in a regular home (cash) game for almost 14 years. the key to our game is consistency.
1) we try to play every 4 weeks or so (making adjustments for holidays etc). We set the next date before the current game ends so that everyone knows well in advance. Yes, of course, a few reminder texts go out but by and large it’s just a reminder.
2) once the date is set, we play. If you can’t make it, we will see you next time. Generally have 7-10 players.
3) we play a “friendly” game but we do consistently enforce the rules that we are using
4) game always starts at 6. If you come late, you are still welcome But everyone knows when the cards hit the felt.

anyways, trying to get your core group into a regular rhythm may help establish your game.

The food, convo, what’s on tv, music selection, etc are less important and will evolve as the group establishes itself. The drinks, however, are very important lol :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:.

Hope this helps. Now if I could just get our host to upgrade the chairs :LOL: :laugh:
 
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Yes this is important for a sustainable game!

My monthly post-COVID game has been running successfully for about a year now. It is designed for my friends and co workers, most of whom are not poker players or gamblers. I send out the invite 3 weeks in advance with some key points:

- switch it up with a feature cocktail & snack each month
- games, stakes and betting structures
- win/loss expectations for the night (e.g expect to win/lose about 1 or 2 buy ins on an average night)
- amount of money to bring for the night (e.g. between X and Y dollars for 3 buy ins).
I’ve definitely stolen this invite format for games with casual players and it’s been great, thanks for the inspiration :)
 
We play the Bounty Button Game. Same thing, except it's not when the dealer wins, bc they are in a position advantage. It should be the small blind. When the small blind wins, he wins whatever money has been collected. Everytime someone is the dealer, they place $5 (any determined $) on the button, or underneath it etc.
Similar, but we do it where SB posts the $, not the button. Seems to make them want to defend more, gives a bit more action.
 
I try to avoid the group texts. Supper annoying, especially if there is iPhone + droid. And people easily ignore it and won't get back to you.

I try one group text, and I end the message with DO NOT REPLY BACK. Then next day or later that day follow up one on one.
Best thing I’ve done for my game…

Download Signal. You can control it, clear it out, make separate tables, etc. Plus it’s for normal iPhones and dumb androids :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

I run my club in signal, and have multiple tables in the club hosting now. All under one umbrella. Each table chat room helps the host, and then there’s a public chat room for all to pop off

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Nice! I'll definitely look into that. I'm playing around with the PCF Invite Tracker now actually. And I also found an app called HobNob last night (I was a bit concerned at first :oops:). It's similar, but just an event invite app with all the expected features. For sure going to implement something of this nature by the weekend!
 
There are a lot of great suggestions here. I have been running a monthly game for just over a year. I would definitely continue to echo to always be recruiting! The second most important thing is consistency with your game. Snacks and beverages always help. Also, find out what your players like. We went from a tournament structure to low stakes cash and it is definitely a fan favorite.
 
There are a lot of great suggestions here. I have been running a monthly game for just over a year. I would definitely continue to echo to always be recruiting! The second most important thing is consistency with your game. Snacks and beverages always help. Also, find out what your players like. We went from a tournament structure to low stakes cash and it is definitely a fan favorite.
Yes, cash game is for sure the game of choice. Home tournaments just take so long and get sloppy after about hour 3. I've found that people just want to come play some cards, bs a little, cash out and go. Less stress knowing everyone could potentially leave with more or break even as opposed to knowing that most everybody will not make money haha.
 

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