Help building a home game (4 Viewers)

StaggerLee

StaggerLee

Pair
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Messages
151
Reaction score
244
Location
Denver, CO
So I've been sporadically been hosting a home game, varying from tournament to small stakes(.50-1.00) cash games. The same core 5 guys have been showing up, but it's been down to just us the last couple of times. I want to expand it, but am apprehensive to let random people from craigslist, for example, into my game or house.

I'm not sure if there's something that i'm doing or not doing that is adding to the issue, or it's a general lack of poker interest. I have a plan to tap into one of my fantasy football leagues for extra players. I just don't want to be pushy about everything. What I mean is that it's a home game at my house, with my hand built table, with my chips and cards, where everybody knows that a few of us play all the time. I guess I just need to tap into a well of players that want to play more often.

Any tips, advice or constructive criticism will help.
Let me know what worked for you.
Or just talk shit and give me your $0.02.
 
I'm having the same issue. Trying to convert non players is difficult. It's best to find people already into poker. There are lots of bars and cigar shops that host poker nights where the prizes are gift cards. I've been thinking about going to those every week and meeting new people
 
I am in a similar boat. I really wouldn't let people from craigslist into your house...that is just asking for trouble.

It is all about relationships. I have a couple friends that are always game to play and then a few other flaky people that just want to hang out.

It is hard to build a reliable crew that wants to play regularly. I am always recruiting though. If I talk to another dad from my sons school I will invite them to our game and see what comes of it.

I also recruited a couple people on my street so that is cool too. My 2c would for sure to recruit neighbours and people you may not know super well but live close by.
 
I have been hitting the neighborhood circuit. Happy hours, community pool, kids Halloween parties. I walk up to groups, introduce myself, and ask who plays poker. I've met some cool people even though only on in 10 or so plays.
 
Shaggy said:
What do you think has caused the other players to not return?
Click to expand...
I'd say that beyond the core 5 people, there isn't really that much interest in a bi-weekly / monthly game. There hasn't been much extra effort on our part to bring new people in. I think we're just waiting for the flaky players to miraculously decide they love poker and want to play frequently. I guess it's time to accept that they probably will never be regular players at my house. We've got a good one for Thanksgiving night all ready to go, but that's gonna be a special occasion. I really just need to write this out and get some other perspective. I appreciate the feedback.
 
Lemonzest said:
It is all about relationships.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

StaggerLee said:
Just to further clarify, I'd like a simple solution that doesn't involve awkwardly meeting new people or having to try too hard.
Click to expand...

I don't think you're going like my answer then.

Running a game is work. You need to meet people, vet them, etc. so that you're 1) not bringing undesirables into your home; and 2) not introducing a bad element into your game which will alienate your regulars.

I'd suggest whipping up a set of rules in pdf form so you have something to easily send to interested people. This sets the expectation before the conversation gets too far along.

Check out meetup.com and see what groups or action might be going on there. Go to local casinos, charity card rooms (if your area has them), etc. Play for a while and see who the regulars are. See who seems to be friendly with everyone... see who's greeted by name when they walk in. Invite them to your game and let them see that you're legit. These people have a lot of credibility in their respective poker communities - and they'll help you build your game.

Look at FB for poker groups in your area. Make contact with the admins and again invite them to your game. Once you've gained their trust, you can let them know you're looking to recruit players.

Talk to poker dealers when you meet them. Same thing as above.

Lastly, look at this from the perspective of your prospective players. There's just as much risk in it for them as it is for you. Do this right and before you know it you'll have a list of players that exceeds your capacity - but it's totally a 'give before you get' type of situation.
 
StaggerLee said:
I'd say that beyond the core 5 people, there isn't really that much interest in a bi-weekly / monthly game. There hasn't been much extra effort on our part to bring new people in. I think we're just waiting for the flaky players to miraculously decide they love poker and want to play frequently. I guess it's time to accept that they probably will never be regular players at my house. We've got a good one for Thanksgiving night all ready to go, but that's gonna be a special occasion. I really just need to write this out and get some other perspective. I appreciate the feedback.
Click to expand...

Not everyone is going to show up every time or stay all night. This is why you need a decent size list of players.

Think about what you're competing against. Most people who play poker casually aren't all that fanatical about it. They'll play here and there when it's convenient and disposable income allows for it, but between work, kid responsibilities, finances, etc... there are a lot of reasons people won't be able to make it to your game - and whether they actually want to or not is only a small factor.
 
StaggerLee said:
Just to further clarify, I'd like a simple solution that doesn't involve awkwardly meeting new people or having to try too hard.
Click to expand...

I am not advocating walking up to strangers and inviting them to play. Usually with my neighbors I would have some prior connection or be in conversation with them anyway. Then I just casually let them know we sometimes have poker games and if they are interested they can join in. Even people who don't play usually appreciate the invite.

Also low stakes is a must if you are bringing in very new players.

I mentioned inviting neighbors because distance is the main obstacle to why people won't show up. Many of my good friends live 30-45 min away and while they play poker they can't be bothered to drive out to my place on a regular basis. Better to have people on your invite list who are close by. Even if they have other plans that night they can come home from dinner with the wife and still jump into the game a bit late and then stumble home after without worrying about driving...
 
Step 1 - get a hot dog roller.

I started in 2015. I had 5 guys and we had no idea what we were doing. I had a Craigslist table, some folding chairs, and dice chips. I found that my game grew by constantly improving my tournaments. I started a league and upgraded everything. Word of mouth spread and flash forward to now and I seat 20 every month with a waitlist 4 deep. I can fill a cash table on a Tuesday with an hour notice. Everyone in my group is in my neighborhood, and knows someone else in the game. If gotten a great regular from PCF @Frogzilla . If you put in the time and don't live in the sticks, they will come. Good luck!!
 
StaggerLee said:
Just to further clarify, I'd like a simple solution that doesn't involve awkwardly meeting new people or having to try too hard.
Click to expand...
Quoting myself here to say this was more tongue in cheek silliness than anything.

I agree with all the points being made. I like hearing useful concrete advice. I was justinitially afraid that I would invite a ton of people, and there wouldn't be enough room for everyone. That's my only logical nightmare, but I guess that could work in the home game's favor too.

Follow up question: what structure do you find to be more beneficial, tournament or cash games? I've asked the crew their opinions which seems to favor cash games.
 
This goddamn hot dog roller conversation is gaining ridiculous traction. Maybe it's an old joke aaaaand i'm the new guy.
 
StaggerLee said:
Quoting myself here to say this was more tongue in cheek silliness than anything.

I agree with all the points being made. I like hearing useful concrete advice. I was justinitially afraid that I would invite a ton of people, and there wouldn't be enough room for everyone. That's my only logical nightmare, but I guess that could work in the home game's favor too.

Follow up question: what structure do you find to be more beneficial, tournament or cash games? I've asked the crew their opinions which seems to favor cash games.
Click to expand...

Tournaments are good for recruiting players for your cash games. Tournaments require quite a bit more legwork though... you need to make sure people show up on time, set up a blind structure, have a plan for collecting buyins, rebuys, color ups, etc.

But it's really just a matter of preference. Some people like tournaments for all the reasons that tournaments appeal... while others prefer cash.
 
StaggerLee said:
Quoting myself here to say this was more tongue in cheek silliness than anything.

I agree with all the points being made. I like hearing useful concrete advice. I was justinitially afraid that I would invite a ton of people, and there wouldn't be enough room for everyone. That's my only logical nightmare, but I guess that could work in the home game's favor too.

Follow up question: what structure do you find to be more beneficial, tournament or cash games? I've asked the crew their opinions which seems to favor cash games.
Click to expand...

Tournaments are more conducive to varying numbers of participants. No big deal if you overflow to a second (or third) table... assuming you have the table and the room. Like mentioned above, they are more work and require players to arrive on time.

If you only have one table, then I recommend cash (easier... and I just like it better). Regarding the concern with too many players. Run a first come first served waitlist. Invite your regulars first, that way you can lock them in. Then have them invite people. As new people RSVP, they lock up a spot. Once you are full, let your regulars know that this game is full, but to keep recruiting for future games.
 
StaggerLee said:
tournament or cash games
Click to expand...
Tournaments get asses in the seats. I run both. 6pm cash game until 8pm. Then a 2 table tournament. Post cash when first table breaks and we go until 3:30am hard stop. Precash is .25/.50 dealer call it. Post cash is $1/$2 NLHE. The second table turns into circus around 12:30am when the tournament breaks.

In my experience in wouldn't have the group I do without the league.
 
StaggerLee said:
It sounds like i'm pyramid scheming my home game
:ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...

Poker pretty much is. The winners feed off of the losing players. You need a constant flow of new fish to make up for the players that drop out.

@Poker Zombie has built a great player base and has lots of good advice.

Basically make it a social event people want to come to, that has poker at it.
 
To keep you game going and growing is a LOT of work. It is a labor of love, you have to love it because if you don’t you won’t want to put in the time it takes to keep everything going.
Recruiting is a non stop proposition. I recruit every opportunity I get and encourage all my players to do the same. Every new person we get is a friend of a friend.
I don’t think I would ever invite someone into my house that didn’t know anyone and when current players ask about bringing someone new I tell them if they bring someone they are vouching for them being trustworthy.
It is also a never ending challenge to keep things exciting new and fresh. Existing players will recruit if they are excited about it themselves.
Truly if you don’t love it you are less likely to succeed. If you do love it you will be recruiting and growing your game all the time without even knowing it.
 
Recruiting new players is difficult. We dont advertise and any new player must be referred by one of our existing players. Home games in KS are not legal so we must be careful.
 
Co-workers. My entire crew is co-workers. About 20 to 25 regulars. I send texts to the regulars and they get 24 hours to lock up a seat, after that the rest of the list gets a text.

It's nice to recruit co-workers because you already know if you like them or not based on their work ethic, personality, etc.
 
mashoo said:
Co-workers. My entire crew is co-workers. About 20 to 25 regulars. I send texts to the regulars and they get 24 hours to lock up a seat, after that the rest of the list gets a text.

It's nice to recruit co-workers because you already know if you like them or not based on their work ethic, personality, etc.
Click to expand...

I work with 15 people and none play poker lol.
 
If your game isn't growing, it's dying. People move, get divorced, even die. Some quit for other reasons beyond your control while others quit because of stuff you can control but you cannot please everybody. The only solution is to always be ready to recruit.

We serve food. A decent main, and the guests pot-luck it. It turns a "poker night" into an "evening out". Sure, it's money out of your pocket, but you are paying for a night with friends. I typically spend $50 for a night. If I finish deep in the money, it's turns a profit. If I don't, I'm out $70-$90. Less than 1/2 a buy-in at a casino.

Get couples. It's a lot easier to get a "hall pass" if their wife is looking forward to going.
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Register

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Similar threads

Dcarl
Finding new players for your home game?
Replies
10
Views
402
kingdeuceoff
K
C
How do you call your Home Game?
2
Replies
34
Views
913
ChipperMarten
ChipperMarten
mconn116
Help Name My Home Game
2
Replies
37
Views
1K
mconn116
mconn116
Deklan
Home Games in Portland, OR?
Replies
2
Views
285
Deklan
Deklan
nbrun
Canadian (MB) Home Game Rake Discussion
Replies
4
Views
284
OfficerLovejoy
OfficerLovejoy
Back
Top Bottom