Managing Invites (2 Viewers)

[emunster18]

Two questions associated with managing Invites to a monthly game.

Background - I host a monthly game on Friday nights, based on availability on my schedule. We play a single table cash game and mix in a two table tournament once per quarter.

1. What is a good method of managing invites and RSVPs? Currently sending texts, but it becomes cumbersome. My regular group rotates a little, so I don't have a master group message. We have tried Groupme, but it's not widely adopted. I want to stay with phone numbers rather than email.

2. How do you manage who gets an invite to a trimmed down game after a big tournament. We hosted 16 players last night, and everyone is excited to play next month. Historically, my reliable regulars get first dibs at a seat. But that may fill my single table game or leave a single seat available. Should I continue giving first rights to my regulars or change to a straight first come first serve model, via reserving a seat?

Thanks for everything! Not only has this forum led me to better chips, but has led me to being a better host. We get compliments about the setup and organization every time someone new comes to our game.

 

[dinosaur]

1. I tried a group app too, but I’m thinking of going back to texts. Might be a bit more cumbersome, but it seems to get more commitment - in both confirmations and declines.

2. Not applicable. We only have 1 cash table.

Sticking around for more insight.

 

[Fran]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/resources/invitetracker.98/
https://blindvalet.com/

 

[Snakeeyes]

I am glad I came across this topic. I was asking this same question a few months ago as I started hosting a cash game. I was thinking of trying email instead of text, but I might have to try the app from the link above.

 

[emunster18]

I'm looking into invite tracker. I have a good method of tracking with a spreadsheet. However, the communication piece is what I struggle with the most.

 

[Hot Nuts]

I create events in GroupMe. It also uses phone numbers. Easy to add or remove players.

I tell my crowd to just click attending or not attending so I can see the totals without having to count. Still not everyone will do it. They just text in or out.

 

[PepperPaul]

I do individual texts to players for my single table cash game. Regulars always get the first wave of invites, and then fill in as needed with wave 2. I’m up front and let people know that regulars get first dibs so there’s no hurt feelings. But also style of play will fast track you to being a regular. Donkey always get the fast track to regular status. It keeps the game juicy, and the sharks are happy to fill in when needed because they know the game is juicy when they do get the occasional invite.

 

[emunster18]

I do individual texts to players for my single table cash game. Regulars always get the first wave of invites, and then fill in as needed with wave 2. I’m up front and let people know that regulars get first dibs so there’s no hurt feelings. But also style of play will fast track you to being a regular. Donkey always get the fast track to regular status. It keeps the game juicy, and the sharks are happy to fill in when needed because they know the game is juicy when they do get the occasional invite.

My regulars are 2 close neighbors and 3-4 guys that carpool from about an hour away. Second wave consists of about 15 people, so the struggle I have is who gets the first texts in that second wave. We play 9-handed, so including me, we only have 2 seats that are available at most.

Perhaps I need to just start running 2 tables every month, and suck up to Mrs. Emunster a little more... She's a great dealer, but I only enlist her services quarterly at the 2TT.

 

[PepperPaul]

My regulars are 2 close neighbors and 3-4 guys that carpool from about an hour away. Second wave consists of about 15 people, so the struggle I have is who gets the first texts in that second wave. We play 9-handed, so including me, we only have 2 seats that are available at most.

Perhaps I need to just start running 2 tables every month, and suck up to Mrs. Emunster a little more... She's a great dealer, but I only enlist her services quarterly at the 2TT.

Easy, the biggest fish get the first invites. I do t do two tables just because it’s more work for no additional incentive. I can’t play two tables so I just keep my game to one. Maybe I should put two tables back to back and try playing both tables…

 

[Baconbitz]

I run a single table 8-handed home game about once a month and used to advertise for players on a local community group, but I've since moved to a private Telegram group and extend invites to players I'd like to have regularly. Telegram has a poll function which I've found helpful for checking interest (e.g. if there are multiple dates I'm available to host), and members' contact numbers are hidden if they choose the option (so others will only see their username).

I haven't had to waitlist players yet; while I definitely have some core regular players, I'm wondering if I should operate on a first-come-first-served basis for game invites, with priority given to players who haven't attended previous sessions.

 

[emunster18]

I run a single table 8-handed home game about once a month and used to advertise for players on a local community group, but I've since moved to a private Telegram group and extend invites to players I'd like to have regularly. Telegram has a poll function which I've found helpful for checking interest (e.g. if there are multiple dates I'm available to host), and members' contact numbers are hidden if they choose the option (so others will only see their username).

I haven't had to waitlist players yet; while I definitely have some core regular players, I'm wondering if I should operate on a first-come-first-served basis for game invites, with priority given to players who haven't attended previous sessions.

Thanks for the commentary. I'm leaning thr opposite way, in giving priority to those who have attended. Primarily to reward reliable, consistent players. At this point, that is what is keeping my game going.

 

[TheYeti]

I run a single-table cash game once a month and seat 10 players including myself. I manage my invites via Facebook Messenger.

I keep a leader-board using Keep the Score where I track attendance and the top 9 are designated "invite first". This group of 9 are included in the first round of invites and usually all of them claim a seat, but sometimes I will have 2-3 open seats after the first round of invites.

I then send out a message to my "Tier 2" players and collect a list of interested players (usually get 4-6). Those players then go onto the Wheel of Names and I spin it to fill the remaining seats.

 

[club_pkr]

Hi @emunster18 - I'm currently working on a new club manager platform, currently in beta. Feel free to check it out.

 

[DeeVee8]

I use google forms to send out invites, then link it to a google sheet. I can post the google sheet on my website so everyone can see how many we've got. I haven't had to worry about capping the invites, but I know there's a way to do it.

 

[AutoDonk5000]

I found this forum and the chip hobby from looking for an invite solution. I endorse InviteTracker

 

[QuailValley]

I use texts and a spreadsheet. Originally my spreadsheet started as a ledger for earnings and losses. I kept track of everything in a small notebook the day of, but wanted a spreadsheet to look at the data over time. Then I added the invite tracking sections. Because like most people I have a decent size group but only a few of those can make it for any given night.

So with my tracking I count how many time a person comes vs turns me down. And I 'reward' the people who are the best guests (most appearances, on time, fun to play with, etc) and they get the first round of invites. And then depending on how many of those are in and out I send some to the next wave. And then so on and so forth. And then for the people who are slow to text back, are always busy/cant make it, and the dreaded no shows usually get the tail end of the list and only get an invite if I really need another butt in a seat.

So far it has worked for me and its nice to keep everything in once place that I can access from my phone and computer.

 

[emunster18]

I use texts and a spreadsheet. Originally my spreadsheet started as a ledger for earnings and losses. I kept track of everything in a small notebook the day of, but wanted a spreadsheet to look at the data over time. Then I added the invite tracking sections. Because like most people I have a decent size group but only a few of those can make it for any given night.

So with my tracking I count how many time a person comes vs turns me down. And I 'reward' the people who are the best guests (most appearances, on time, fun to play with, etc) and they get the first round of invites. And then depending on how many of those are in and out I send some to the next wave. And then so on and so forth. And then for the people who are slow to text back, are always busy/cant make it, and the dreaded no shows usually get the tail end of the list and only get an invite if I really need another butt in a seat.

So far it has worked for me and its nice to keep everything in once place that I can access from my phone and computer.

This is a good reassurance that I am doing things right. My regulars come 80-90% of the time. Then invites go out to the next wave of less consistent players, and the slow to respond. Very last are the people who have no-showed on me. They usually only get an invite to the 2TT when I have a seat or 2 left after everyone in my world has gotten an invite.