Thoughts on frequency... (3 Viewers)

[Pointaker101]

Been trying to get a "regular" game started over the last two months, with some success, but still lacking. There is a core group of about 4 of us (still trying to grow that of course) with approx. 10 more on the list. In lieu of focusing on the discussion of getting new players, does anyone have thoughts on how frequent a game should be held so that it becomes a normal occurrence?

I used to play several times a week, years ago. Over the last few years, that, unfortunately, became dreadfully less in occurrence...2 times a year, max. A few friends have discussed more frequent games and we've had 5 games in the last 2 months.

Of course, the frequency is subjective but curious as to your opinion on the matter.

 

[Pointaker101]

I guess I should have offered my opinion on the matter...

I feel that if we are able to play several times in the next month (3 or 4 is several for my group), that would give us solid start of having a game often and therefore, I feel that "flooding" the market (my friends) with games is the way to go, but I do sort of see having a more rare occurrence allows players to try to make the game as they know it will not happen again soon.

 

[detroitdad]

I host about once every 4 to 6 weeks. That's because @mike32 , @Azcat , @ChaosRock all host regularly. There is probably a home game in the area (within a 45 minute drive) three times a month. It works perfect

 

[Pointaker101]

I host about once every 4 to 6 weeks. That's because @mike32 , @Azcat , @ChaosRock all host regularly. There is probably a home game in the area (within a 45 minute drive) three times a month. It works perfect

In an ideal world, there would be more games available in my area, but there aren't. I should add that I mean home games, not raked warehouse games, of which there are a few. We are a group of guys willing to take turns hosting and none of us are in it to make money (making a profit hosting a game via rake, is what I mean here).

 

[detroitdad]

In an ideal world, there would be more games available in my area, but there aren't. I should add that I mean home games, not raked warehouse games, of which there are a few. We are a group of guys willing to take turns hosting and none of us are in it to make money (making a profit hosting a game via rake, is what I mean here).

None of our games are raked. Most of us put out decent snacks, bourbon, ect.... @bonesnjnts occasionally hosts during the week. He is only 15 minutes from me. Weekday games are damn near impossible to play in for me due to my work schedule.

 

[rowlin]

I’d say, in terms of trying to build momentum, play as often as you can get a good group together but not so frequently that the game becomes a chore to the host or player base. If that is weekly, biweekly, or monthly - fine.

Once you put a couple solid, fun games together, then word of mouth should help it grow.

 

[Pointaker101]

I’d say, in terms of trying to build momentum, play as often as you can get a good group together but not so frequently that the game becomes a chore to the host or player base. If that is weekly, biweekly, or monthly - fine.

Once you put a couple solid, fun games together, then word of mouth should help it grow.

THanks for the input.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I tried hosting every 3 weeks, but often found people were willing to make it their "second choice" for an evening of entertainment - evidenced by late cancellations and Facebook posts of them of attending a different (non-poker) event.

When I switched to every 6 weeks, our events moved up higher on the social calendar. If you miss, you will be waiting 12 weeks for your next game. We also take a break over the holidays, and the first game in January is always one of the biggest of the year.

Keep them wanting more.

 

[Pointaker101]

I tried hosting every 3 weeks, but often found people were willing to make it their "second choice" for an evening of entertainment - evidenced by late cancellations and Facebook posts of them of attending a different (non-poker) event.

When I switched to every 6 weeks, our events moved up higher on the social calendar. If you miss, you will be waiting 12 weeks for your next game. We also take a break over the holidays, and the first game in January is always one of the biggest of the year.

Keep them wanting more.

Interesting...I've contemplated this too. My concern is that in order to build a presence and keep from being a novelty evening, playing often allows players to develop a liking of the game and therefore have some sort of desire to become "good" at the game. I'm sure in this forum it is understood that all players in my home game are somewhat decent players, but sadly not true. So, in an effort to get those interested in playing on the felt more and develop their competitiveness, I was hoping high frequency would serve for this. Thoughts otherwise?

 

[manamongkids]

5 times in 2 months is a good frequency

 

[Poker Zombie]

I'm sure in this forum it is understood that all players in my home game are somewhat decent players, but sadly not true

Of my 16 regulars, maybe 5 are "good". I present my game as a learning opportunity, as only a few of my players have ever entered a casino.

Hardcore players will want to show up as long as the game is good, and not clashing with another game. Building a solid base is getting the casual/social players to want to come to your game. A lot of factors contribute to getting players to want to come, but in terms of frequency, I think a little predictability (mine is every 6 weeks) + not enough frequency to make the event "skippable".

 

[Pointaker101]

Of my 16 regulars, maybe 5 are "good". I present my game as a learning opportunity, as only a few of my players have ever entered a casino.

Hardcore players will want to show up as long as the game is good, and not clashing with another game. Building a solid base is getting the casual/social players to want to come to your game. A lot of factors contribute to getting players to want to come, but in terms of frequency, I think a little predictability (mine is every 6 weeks) + not enough frequency to make the event "skippable".

Great feedback.

Mind sharing some ideas of what you do to keep the "want" to attend up for the casual/social players?

 

[detroitdad]

Great feedback.

Mind sharing some ideas of what you do to keep the "want" to attend up for the casual/social players?

read the "dinner plans" thread. You'll see why they come

 

[Pointaker101]

read the "dinner plans" thread. You'll see why they come

link?

 

[detroitdad]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/dinner-plans.4141/

check out some of his dinners..... I'm almost willing to make the drive from Michigan

 

[Pointaker101]

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/dinner-plans.4141/

check out some of his dinners..... I'm almost willing to make the drive from Michigan

Wow...some of those guys like their players much, much more than i like mine!

 

[Rhodeman77]

Do you okay cash game or tournaments?

What stakes/buy-in amount.

I ask because with cash games I found that a regular group that know the next game is in a week or 2 weeks will gamble it up more knowing that if they do lose for the night they could win it back at the next game. But if it is a month away or nobody know if/when the next game will be, the players may play tighter.

So having a consistent schedule of games will have the core people playing looser. The cash game I’m playing in now is weekly and the action is insane since they know next week they can get it right back.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I host every Friday, but built up slowly as more players got comfortable easing into it. I started hosting monthly in 2009, but when I gained a core group of players, we moved to weekly. I shoot for 2 tables, send out 27 invites, and usually get 14 to 18 players.

I think the key is to set a regular schedule so players can expect a game on a regular basis. If you do monthly on a Saturday, for example, play on the same Saturday of the month (e.g., 1st Sat of every month). In addition to weekly cash games, we play a tournament on the 3rd Sat of every month. I have a buddy that hosts a tournament on the 2nd Sat of every month at his house. Thus, I know that my 2nd Friday is going to be light (10ish players) because some of the players will be at his house on Sat and they don't play twice in one week.

Good luck!!

 

[Pointaker101]

Do you okay cash game or tournaments?

What stakes/buy-in amount.

I ask because with cash games I found that a regular group that know the next game is in a week or 2 weeks will gamble it up more knowing that if they do lose for the night they could win it back at the next game. But if it is a month away or nobody know if/when the next game will be, the players may play tighter.

So having a consistent schedule of games will have the core people playing looser. The cash game I’m playing in now is weekly and the action is insane since they know next week they can get it right back.

We've actually been doing both...$60 buy-in tourney w/ one rebuy, followed by a .50/1.00 cash game, only play NLHE.

 

[Pointaker101]

I host every Friday, but built up slowly as more players got comfortable easing into it. I started hosting monthly in 2009, but when I gained a core group of players, we moved to weekly. I shoot for 2 tables, send out 27 invites, and usually get 14 to 18 players.

I think the key is to set a regular schedule so players can expect a game on a regular basis. If you do monthly on a Saturday, for example, play on the same Saturday of the month (e.g., 1st Sat of every month). In addition to weekly cash games, we play a tournament on the 3rd Sat of every month. I have a buddy that hosts a tournament on the 2nd Sat of every month at his house. Thus, I know that my 2nd Friday is going to be light (10ish players) because some of the players will be at his house on Sat and they don't play twice in one week.

Good luck!!

Will try this out...thanks!

 

[CraigT78]

I have hosted one game per month since 2015. My core group is neighborhood dads with kids ranging from Kinder to High-school. I probably have 15 regulars, of which 8 or so have only missed one game this year. The rest of my seats are taken by another 15 guys who come 3 to 4 times a year. I do not have a set weekend as the game is always scheduled around local events. I usually go 3 to 5 weeks between games, and it works well for my group. So I guess the answer you are looking for is build your group of players and schedule a frequency that works for the group. In time you will not have an issue filling the seats.

I do a $40 + $10 bounty tournament as well as a before and after cash game.

Where in Texas are you located?

 

[Jambine]

There is a core group of about 4 of us (still trying to grow that of course) with approx. 10 more on the list

Focus on the core group of 4 players. Find a day and frequency that works for them, then let the other 10 know when you're playing.
Yes, you might only get 4-5 on the first game but it will grow if you're consistent with game time & date

 

[Pointaker101]

I have hosted one game per month since 2015. My core group is neighborhood dads with kids ranging from Kinder to High-school. I probably have 15 regulars, of which 8 or so have only missed one game this year. The rest of my seats are taken by another 15 guys who come 3 to 4 times a year. I do not have a set weekend as the game is always scheduled around local events. I usually go 3 to 5 weeks between games, and it works well for my group. So I guess the answer you are looking for is build your group of players and schedule a frequency that works for the group. In time you will not have an issue filling the seats.

I do a $40 + $10 bounty tournament as well as a before and after cash game.

Where in Texas are you located?

Sounds similar to my group, we may be just a few years younger. Most have kids ranging from newborn to kinder. 15 regulars would seem to be ideal for us. We had one evening (of the 5 we've played) where we were 5 handed and it SUCKED!

I'm in Lubbock.

 

[Pointaker101]

Focus on the core group of 4 players. Find a day and frequency that works for them, then let the other 10 know when you're playing.
Yes, you might only get 4-5 on the first game but it will grow if you're consistent with game time & date

GREAT point!

 

[Jeff]

Frequency? Twice a week is all I ask!

Oh... youre talking hosting poker... never mind!

 

[Pointaker101]

Frequency? Twice a week is all I ask!

Oh... youre talking hosting poker... never mind!

 

[CraigT78]

Sounds similar to my group, we may be just a few years younger. Most have kids ranging from newborn to kinder. 15 regulars would seem to be ideal for us. We had one evening (of the 5 we've played) where we were 5 handed and it SUCKED!

I'm in Lubbock.

5 handed sounds like an opportunity to play some dealers choice.

 

[Pointaker101]

5 handed sounds like an opportunity to play some dealers choice.

LOL...after everyone left, I sat there and thought SHIT!, we should have mixed games up a bit...as you can imagine, 5 handed NLHE was dreadful.

 

[CraigT78]

LOL...after everyone left, I sat there and thought SHIT!, we should have mixed games up a bit...as you can imagine, 5 handed NLHE was dreadful.

I find NLHE dreadful no matter how many are playing, but to each their own.

 

[detroitdad]

I find NLHE dreadful no matter how many are playing, but to each their own.

A few of my players really like it. I don't mind it if its in a rotation. Normally we only play NLHE once every 4 to 5 orbits.