Considering starting up my game again with rake (3 Viewers)

[Freeroll]

I haven't run my game in several months because I've been busy working my full time job and dealing in a game part time.

The game that I have been dealing in is, by all signs, just about dead. They had to cancel 20 of the last 23 games they tried to have.

I'm considering either rounding in my spare time (mostly heavily raked games) ($7 per pot), or I might start my game up again and rake $2 per pot to cover hotdogs, buns, pop, water, cards, and any other consumables I am not thinking of.

My game is better equipped than all the much higher raked games in the area.

I know raked games are frowned upon, but I feel like I'd be offering such a better game at such a lower cost for players.

P.s. we do not have casino poker where I live (anymore)

 

[justsomedude]

I prefer donation/“tip” jars over rake.

I generally won’t play in a raked home game. It’s just a different vibe, and could potentially be illegal (depending on local / applicable laws).

That being said, I’ll gladly drop a $20 in a tip jar if it’s a good atmosphere, good host, and I drink a beer or two and down a hot dog while I’m there.

 

[Freeroll]

It absolutely is illegal, but by all indications, law enforcement does not enforce it in this area since the casino here stopped offering poker (many years ago).

Also, I am of the opinion that I should follow all moral laws and not follow immoral laws.

 

[thegioserg]

Seat rental > Rake imo

 

[CraigT78]

Seat rental > Rake imo

I'd prefer a seat rental vs a rake as well if either were being charged in a "home game"

 

[Felt_Lizard]

Rake ~ a fart in church ?

 

[Bacon Dad]

Got any pics of the game you host? How is it equipped?

 

[wickedwonka121]

 

[chippitydoodah]

I prefer donation/“tip” jars over rake.

I generally won’t play in a raked home game. It’s just a different vibe, and could potentially be illegal (depending on local / applicable laws).

That being said, I’ll gladly drop a $20 in a tip jar if it’s a good atmosphere, good host, and I drink a beer or two and down a hot dog while I’m there.

2 beers, a hot dog, 5+ hours of dealer supplied poker is worth $20 to you? You've actually proven why they'd rake rather than count on the "generosity" of the players.

 

[Freeroll]

Got any pics of the game you host? How is it equipped?

CPC chips, shuffletech on main table

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Raked games can be fun and profitable but always a delicate balance between dying and getting too big.

Are you thinking of poaching from the previous game, would you talk to those game runners? I wouldn't want a disgruntled former host causing issues.

 

[Natskule]

A rake game changes the perspective, at least for me it does. It's no longer a friendly home game among friends, now I'm a customer. Just changes things.

 

[quintooo]

would you deal your own game? what about the second table, would that also be raked and with a dedicated dealer?

If you're raking for profit then rake away and be honest that you're going to be profitting off your friends.

If you just need to cover costs of food; I'd rather just rake the initial buyin like $10-20 from everyone depending on how many show up, rather than raking every pot.

 

[Freeroll]

Raked games can be fun and profitable but always a delicate balance between dying and getting too big.

Are you thinking of poaching from the previous game, would you talk to those game runners? I wouldn't want a disgruntled former host causing issues.

No, I'm still hopeful that the game I currently deal in can come back to life, then I won't start my game up again.

I won't start it up until that game is officially ended anyway

 

[Freeroll]

would you deal your own game? what about the second table, would that also be raked and with a dedicated dealer?

If you're raking for profit then rake away and be honest that you're going to be profitting off your friends.

If you just need to cover costs of food; I'd rather just rake the initial buyin like $10-20 from everyone depending on how many show up, rather than raking every pot.

There will be dealers at both tables (deal for tips). My wife and my buddy are the two dealers.

I would not be doing it for profit, but I ran the game for a few years and just don't want to run it at a loss anymore.

 

[LeLe]

You can consider charging an entry fee and encourage tipping for dealers

The entry fee should definitely be able to cover the cost and a less terrifing word compared to rake game.

 

[quintooo]

There will be dealers at both tables (deal for tips). My wife and my buddy are the two dealers.

I would not be doing it for profit, but I ran the game for a few years and just don't want to run it at a loss anymore.

idk raking 2 tables, $2/pot, say 20 hands/hour over 4 hours is $320 for the night which already seems way more than one needs for drinks and hot dogs

if you need to cover costs of food/drinks; why not just order out and ask players to split? if they don't want to split, no food and drinks for them.

end of the day it is your game! Do what you want/need. I wouldn't consider it a home game anymore if it's raked though.

 

[justsomedude]

2 beers, a hot dog, 5+ hours of dealer supplied poker is worth $20 to you? You've actually proven why they'd rake rather than count on the "generosity" of the players.

Every home game I’ve played in is self dealt, casual, social, and friendly, and hosts are more than happy with a hundred bucks or so at the end of the night to cover costs.

What’s a few cases of beer/pop, ice, and a pack of hot dogs? $60?

Do you expect $300 to host?

 

[Muschen]

Honestly, you might want to try out with a donation jar/box first. Never had a problem that I would sit on any costs. People bringing food, ordering pizza and having some beers or sodas and those who forgot or didnt feel like it just tip 5-10$ at the end or something.

Always worked out and doesnt have the bad taste of a raked game.

Also, if we, for whatever reason, had a "bigger" night, we just ordered 10 Pizzas and split the bill (people obviously agreeing to it prior, not surprising them at the end with splitting the bill).

Usually my crowd is rather happy that they have a place to play poker, have all the equipment and room to have a good night and they seem usually more supportive than neccessary - which ends up in me telling them they dont have to bring entire menus for food or tons of beer and drinks.

 

[Anthony Martino]

View attachment 1495786
CPC chips, shuffletech on main table

pffft, you don't even have wall art of dogs playing poker!

 

[Freeroll]

Fair enough, you've talked me down to $1 a hand

 

[Tonystark137]

Rack or don't it's your game. Just expect to reinvest the funding into recruiting more players. If a game I went to started racking ; I probably bseek to find a different game.

Specially if the host is just purely dealing and taking tips. There is a game bear me that's like that. It's not a home game. It's an underground game. Completely different vibe.

Expect potential security issues; drama; conflicts and long term sustainment issues. Cause that's what happens when you go from a home game to an underground game.

 

[CraigT78]

What’s a few cases of beer/pop, ice, and a pack of hot dogs? $60?

Have you grocery shopped in the last 2-3 years???

 

[Josh Kifer]

So what your saying is......

Your game is no longer a free roll....

 

[justsomedude]

Have you grocery shopped in the last 2-3 years???

Heck. Why stop there? Have you seen utility bills lately?

May as well throw down some electric bill share, gas, home owners insurance, and some mortgage cut for the poker room square footage. And how about a bathroom tip jar for toilet flushes on the water cost? Maybe some professional liability share in case a dealer gets carpal tunnel?

Best to post a spreadsheet on the door of all your hosting costs, you know, for transparency.

I’m surprised someone hasn’t posted a HowTo mod to install a meter on their hot dog roller to track the kilowat-hours used.

 

[CraigT78]

Heck. Why stop there? Have you seen utility bills lately?

May as well throw down some electric bill share, gas, home owners insurance, and some mortgage cut for the poker room square footage. And how about a bathroom tip jar for toilet flushes on the water cost? Maybe some professional liability share in case a dealer gets carpal tunnel?

Best to post a spreadsheet on the door of all your hosting costs, you know, for transparency.

I’m surprised someone hasn’t posted a HowTo mod to install a meter on their hot dog roller to track the kilowat-hours used.

Whoa there, just making a comment on groceries, lol.

 

[justsomedude]

Whoa there, just making a comment on groceries, lol.

<justsomedude begins modding his hot dog roller>

 

[quintooo]

Whoa there, just making a comment on groceries, lol.

if @Freeroll starts making deviled eggs for attendees, rake away at $10 per hand!! christ

 

[Muschen]

<justsomedude begins modding his hot dog roller>

View attachment 1495817

Dont forget to use the old hotdogs, so people get diarrhea and use your bathroom too. Thats another couple paid flushes you can bank on

 

[doublebooyah85]

I too would prefer a seat charge, but I’ve never seen one in a home/private/underground raked game.

OP isn’t going to get much positive reinforcement to your idea. PCF is not your rake private game crowd.