Advice on hosting two tables? (3 Viewers)

[Booshme]

Hey guys, so there's a non-zero chance I'll have enough players for two tables this weekend. I have a triton Octagon, and a normal round kitchen table that can fit 6. My extra Triton mat can fit the dinner table, my only concern is if I get 9-10 people, if the players will feel alright playing short-handed. What success have people had opening up a second table? I have a couple guys who would be new to the game, so I'd like to sit with them and be a considerate host, especially to my friend who's a poker virgin, show him the ropes etc.

Honestly I'm a little nervous if we do get the two tables open since a few of the new players are friends from outside of poker, and I want them especially to feel welcomed and become (hopefully) regulars or semi-regulars at my game. I've been hosting once a month during the big UFC events and it's helped stir up excitement, even if does mean the game slows down if people are bashing each other's faces in exceptionally awesome fashion.

More than anything I've come to realize that I really like bringing people together and having a good time, outside of these games and a couple other social commitments life is currently very demanding, and having friends over and being around those good people is a real blessing and helps take the weight off the rest of the days.

 

[drgg]

The day of the game get an exact count. If there's 9 players (not including yourself) then just plan on one table and sit out when there's all 9 at the table. If there's 10 players set up both tables but only fill the first table until there's all 10 players, then split into tables. Once one table dips below 5 merge the tables again. It's fine if players are playing 5 handed it's a friendly game, if they feel different, they can go to a casino and pay rake.
If you just want to host one table too thats totally fine, splitting up the tables when there's less than 12 is a headache and as a host you shouldn't have another headache players can wait.

 

[Booshme]

The day of the game get an exact count. If there's 9 players (not including yourself) then just plan on one table and sit out when there's all 9 at the table. If there's 10 players set up both tables but only fill the first table until there's all 10 players, then split into tables. Once one table dips below 5 merge the tables again. It's fine if players are playing 5 handed it's a friendly game, if they feel different, they can go to a casino and pay rake.
If you just want to host one table too thats totally fine, splitting up the tables when there's less than 12 is a headache and as a host you shouldn't have another headache players can wait.

Thank you for the feedback and advice. I have an octagon table, but it should be able to fit 9 if it comes to that, when it has the full 8 it's never cramped for space. I have a friend of mine bringing extra chairs, I hope it ends up being a big event. I'll be posting game photos for sure

 

[BleedingChips]

Hey guys, so there's a non-zero chance I'll have enough players for two tables this weekend. I have a triton Octagon, and a normal round kitchen table that can fit 6. My extra Triton mat can fit the dinner table, my only concern is if I get 9-10 people, if the players will feel alright playing short-handed. What success have people had opening up a second table? I have a couple guys who would be new to the game, so I'd like to sit with them and be a considerate host, especially to my friend who's a poker virgin, show him the ropes etc.

Honestly I'm a little nervous if we do get the two tables open since a few of the new players are friends from outside of poker, and I want them especially to feel welcomed and become (hopefully) regulars or semi-regulars at my game. I've been hosting once a month during the big UFC events and it's helped stir up excitement, even if does mean the game slows down if people are bashing each other's faces in exceptionally awesome fashion.

More than anything I've come to realize that I really like bringing people together and having a good time, outside of these games and a couple other social commitments life is currently very demanding, and having friends over and being around those good people is a real blessing and helps take the weight off the rest of the days.

Congrats on growing your game and I echo your last sentiment about the enjoyment of hosting friends! I like to confirm seats at least a few days before, but morning of or day before allows you to adjust. I typically lose 1-2 players the week of so try to overbook a bit where I am not stressed if more people come, and I’m not setting up a second table unnecessarily if the numbers aren’t there.

Partiful has been a life saver app for helping confirm players and it’s free.

If I’m hosting 1 table, I like to get 11-12 rsvps. Two tables, I like to get 14-15 RSVPs. If I hit 12, I will shoot out a message (example from recent game: “Hey bro, I have a poker game scheduled next Saturday the 21st. The first table is full, but I’ll fire up a second one if we hit 14-16 confirmed players. Want on the waitlist?”

As the other response said, worst case you sit out for a little while and help your new players feel comfortable + take care of any other host duties. Enjoy and as I tell myself, I am probably more worried about things going smoothly than all my players. It will be fine and you’ll do great.

 

[HolySchist848]

I have a couple guys who would be new to the game, so I'd like to sit with them and be a considerate host, especially to my friend who's a poker virgin, show him the ropes etc.

Honestly I'm a little nervous if we do get the two tables open since a few of the new players are friends from outside of poker, and I want them especially to feel welcomed and become (hopefully) regulars or semi-regulars at my game.

I think that one of the most important things about setting up poker games is that you make it fun and comfortable for your players. Put some music on, grab a couple pizzas, and make everyone feel welcome. After all, most of us host for the friendships and community at the end of the day, whether we win or lose! Best of luck to you!

 

[Booshme]

I think that one of the most important things about setting up poker games is that you make it fun and comfortable for your players. Put some music on, grab a couple pizzas, and make everyone feel welcome. After all, most of us host for the friendships and community at the end of the day, whether we win or lose! Best of luck to you!

Thank you! We had 14 people show up, and I got a few Thank you messages and compliments as a host afterwards. It was a fun night for everyone, and it built up to a nice final table with deeper stacks to satisfy our more action-heavy players

 

[thePokerClub]

What a nice problem to have!

 

[justsomedude]

10 at a single table is fine, if they can all fit comfortably. Most WSOP ME early levels are all 10-handed. It just is what it is.

A bigger factor when running two tables (and you kind of alluded to this) is making sure each table has a competent TD (Table Director). This is some one who is very familiar with the basic rules of the game, and even some of the minor complexities like exposed cards on the deal, betting out of turn, proper bet sizing, no string bets, the single chip rule, etc, to ensure newbies are learning and being guided properly and without ridicule.

Hopefully you have another guest who can fill this role when running two tables.

 

[Booshme]

10 at a single table is fine, if they can all fit comfortably. Most WSOP ME early levels are all 10-handed. It just is what it is.

A bigger factor when running two tables (and you kind of alluded to this) is making sure each table has a competent TD (Table Director). This is some one who is very familiar with the basic rules of the game, and even some of the minor complexities like exposed cards on the deal, betting out of turn, proper bet sizing, no string bets, the single chip rule, etc, to ensure newbies are learning and being guided properly and without ridicule.

Hopefully you have another guest who can fill this role when running two tables.

Yes, this was something I did not implement. I had to be the bank man multiple times for the other table, which did not bother but but it certainly was not ideal

 

[acezag]

Don't know if you've expanded into the circus world yet, but with mixed games, "short handed" 6-7 player tables are actually ideal, especially if the rotation includes triple draw games or variations that require a lot of cards.

 

[Booshme]

Don't know if you've expanded into the circus world yet, but with mixed games, "short handed" 6-7 player tables are actually ideal, especially if the rotation includes triple draw games or variations that require a lot of cards.

Little by little, so far just some SCROTUM and Cincinnati I think it’s called. Looking clears to learning the games with draws. Any recs?

 

[acezag]

Little by little, so far just some SCROTUM and Cincinnati I think it’s called. Looking clears to learning the games with draws. Any recs?

• Everyone's favorite, and a way of getting newbies hooked on circus, is Draw2maha and its variants (49, Zero), where folks can draw up to 2 after the flop. I could personally play it for 10 hours and not get bored. Bonus - it teaches split pots in a way that's intuitive (half to the best Omaha hand, half to the best 5 card hand in the mitt).
• Cali Lowball is a great way to get folks to understand lows really quickly and get used to triple draw. The low piece is a prereq that unlocks so many other games, including Omaha Hi/Lo and BigO for starters.
• Badacey (Cali Low + Badugi) offers decent action and gambling / bluffing for a triple draw game
• Archie / Veronica for a true draw for both hi/lo (and sometimes brutal hands)

 

[Booshme]

• Everyone's favorite, and a way of getting newbies hooked on circus, is Draw2maha and its variants (49, Zero), where folks can draw up to 2 after the flop. I could personally play it for 10 hours and not get bored. Bonus - it teaches split pots in a way that's intuitive (half to the best Omaha hand, half to the best 5 card hand in the mitt).
• Cali Lowball is a great way to get folks to understand lows really quickly and get used to triple draw. The low piece is a prereq that unlocks so many other games, including Omaha Hi/Lo and BigO for starters.
• Badacey (Cali Low + Badugi) offers decent action and gambling / bluffing for a triple draw game
• Archie / Veronica for a true draw for both hi/lo (and sometimes brutal hands)

Thanks amigo! @GoJo_Dingo @goeckerd let’s get some practice rounds in before we introduce these at a big game

 

[rum3002576]

i had two tables for the first time a month ago. pretty simple and just dont overthink it. its just hard for me to get enough people for two tables