Thoughts on adding other variants to a home game? (3 Viewers)

[Hoxton]

I'm part of a relatively inexperienced group that get together a couple of times a year. We've mostly played tournaments but recently switched to cash instead.
For half of the group these get togethers is the only time they play.

I like the idea of mixing it up by adding in a hand of PLO every so often as I've had fun with it online, a friend is really keen on playing a Nit game as well.

For a very casual group, is this a bad idea?

 

[merkong]

IMO, yes. Stick to the basics. Keep it fun. Keep it clean. Keep it relatively cheap. Keep it moving. Keep it fun. With a game that infrequent you want people looking forward to coming back and then you might be able to build something that meets up a little less infrequently.

 

[Labrat]

From my experience, PLO can play bigger than NLHE.

If you’re a casual, loss-sensitive group and you want to keep the game going as it is (if not trying to increase frequency of playing) I would look at limit mixed-games.

They can be a blast.

 

[Hoxton]

Thanks both, I hadn't thought about PLO pots being bigger than NLHE pots but that does make sense. We mainly play to socialise, and have a buy in limit to keep things sensible so I wouldn't want to introduce something that increases pot sizes.
I'll look into limit mixed games, maybe introduce one at a time to get a feel and see what sticks.

 

[Kam]

Couple of thoughts from my game.

We do a couple of things, usually wait an hour before starting any side games.

1. 7-2 game - win a hand with 7-2 (I do offsuit only) and show, everyone pays you 2x Big Blind. It doesn’t happen a lot and is entertaining when it works and doesn’t work.
2. Most nights we play the NIT game, but only after an hour or so once folk are settled. It’s good to bring in if the game gets a little quiet later on. If you have a lot of action, no need though. We only play it for a few payouts though.
3. We do double board PLO bomb pots on monotone boards (but you can do 1 every hour or whatever). We usually end up with at least 2, sometimes 3 all ins in those hands. Some games limit the PLO max pot amount so it doesn’t go full degen.

GL

 

[thePokerClub]

If you did stick to tournaments, you could introduce a point system.

Check out the SeasonStack subforum (link in my signature below) for ideas on points with LeaderBoards that make things more competitive and fun.

 

[Labrat]

Thanks both, I hadn't thought about PLO pots being bigger than NLHE pots but that does make sense. We mainly play to socialise, and have a buy in limit to keep things sensible so I wouldn't want to introduce something that increases pot sizes.
I'll look into limit mixed games, maybe introduce one at a time to get a feel and see what sticks.

This might give you a little head start.

Abby99s Mixed Games Cards

 

[SteveEH]

If you and your friends only get together a couple of times a year, I think it would be ok to introduce mixed games.

If you're trying to get a game going more frequently, I'd recommend introducing different games slowly.

Definitely lower the stakes or the $X that usually lasts the night for hold'em may not last as long - players will make mistakes learning new games.

 

[LotsOfChips]

Definitely lower the stakes or the $X that usually lasts the night for hold'em may not last as long - players will make mistakes learning new games.

If you go to Limit stakes instead of No Limit, players can survive a lot longer on their $x, especially with unfamiliar Circus games where pots are quartered and the nuts are constantly shifting.

 

[SteveEH]

If you go to Limit stakes instead of No Limit, players can survive a lot longer on their $x, especially with unfamiliar Circus games where pots are quartered and the nuts are constantly shifting.

Never thought of that Ty.

 

[merkong]

Never thought of that Ty.

I still think circus games, even with the requisite limit component, is a bit much for an infrequent gathering of newer players. Low stakes and fun will warm everyone up. If the pulse beats for something different then pick something that is easy to learn and follow. Singular, one new offering, mentioned well in advance that has someone (host) who can deal it, run it, and teach it. Good luck.