Cash set breakdown (1 Viewer)

[MemphisFats]

I’m trying to get a regular home game off the ground. The majority of the players are not currently big poker players so my plan is to wean them in gently.
My initial thoughts are to run a $25 double chance freeze out, so either 1 rebuy or 1 add on and a small cash game as people get knocked out the tournament.
My idea for the cash game is a round of each, no limit 25c/25c and fixed limit 25c/50c, with a $40 or $50 buy in.
My thinking is if you bust the tournament and lose a buy in for cash you’ve spent $100 (or $90) and hopefully had a good evening socializing with friends.
My question is what breakdown do you guys suggest for my cash chips? I’d imagine a maximum 8-10 players.
Should I have some 5c chips, as the blinds for fixed limit would be 10c/25c or not bother with 5c chips and have the blinds at 25c/25c?
How many racks of 25c would be best? I assume the no limit will use some 25c but the $1 chips will be the work horse. Where as for the fixed limit the 25c chips will be the work horse.
Any input you guys have would be appreciated.
Thanks
Memphis

 

[Machine]

There are lots of threads with tournament break downs, check the New Members Start Here thread, it has links to tools and specific posts that will help.

 

[MemphisFats]

There are lots of threads with tournament break downs, check the New Members Start Here thread, it has links to tools and specific posts that will help.

I have the tournament side under control,
it’s the cash side I’m not as familiar with.
Thanks
Memphis

 

[Dodger]

@Machine references a well-written cash breakdown thread in his link - https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ut-a-cash-game-chip-set-5c-10c-to-5-10.30897/

 

[Eriks]

If you think the group is comfortable with NL 25c/25c, I think you will find fixed limit 25c/50c too small. I would suggest at least 50c/$1. Let’s you skip the 5c-chip as well

 

[ChrisTot]

I read one time that you can just play 10c/20c with 1/5/25/100 chips (1/10th of chip value) and have never looked back!

It’s so easy to cut out 20 white chips + 16 reds and do that 5 times and eventually have 200 reds in play with eventually up to 200 greens in play. I’ve never ran out of chips because my game plays smaller, but at that point, people would just have cash behind.

1/2 also allows for standard raise sizing from 70c to $1.50. Your game can raise or lower the stakes and the chips never have to change. Also gives people muscle memory for 1/2 at the casino.

 

[Sneakygreek]

 

[Nedkelly]

Congrats and good luck with your home game. It’s a labour of love! I too have recently started a home game, around 9 months ago. We play monthly and have similar buy ins. Although thankfully my crew doesn’t like tourneys all that much so we play cash. Usually get 6-8 players per game, about 2-3 players were complete beginners, they didn’t even know a straight from a flush. A couple are more experienced, half decent players.

I was very conscious (still am) of protecting the noobs. So the first game we played limit 50c/$1 $20-$50 buy in. I had to put up with the usual “let’s play NL“ from the experienced guys. But I just politely explained we all need to be patient and teach the new guys. We found 50c/$1 too low for limit. So the second game I increased it to $1/$2 with no complaints. I strongly recommend playing limit to teach guys how to play, especially if there is a few experienced players at the table also.

Around the third or fourth game I tentatively introduced NL (much to the delight of the experienced guys). We play 25c/25c blinds. Again, I would teach them along the way about the dangers of losing your stack in one foul swoop. We haven’t played limit since (unfortunately) and when we do, I think we will play $2/$4. The lower limit poker was fine to teach the basics, but of course lots and lots of limping. We discussed this problem and even the beginners now say if we play limit, it should be $2/$4, because they now understand the game/betting strategy more.

So, my suggestion would be NL 25c/25c $20-$50 buy in or if playing limit $1/2, while playing limit I would politely highlight people limping, explain how all those dollars you throw in and chase will add up etc etc. They will understand eventually.

As far as chip breakdown goes, I have a rack of quarters that I generally get out on the felt during the initial buy ins. I also like LOTS of $1s on the table. I think its MOAR fun for beginners if they have lots of chips in front of them and also lots of chips in the middle. Hell, I usually have 4-6 racks of ones on the table. People protect their higher value chips and for some reason reluctant to part with them but happy to toss those dollars around with gay abandon!

100 x 25c
400-600 $1
100 $5

Thats a good start for 8 players at your buy ins. It will cover you for NL & Limit. Choose the chips wisely and you can add on later. I’m sure others will have different ideas but has worked for me and my situation seems similar to yours.

 

[SteveEH]

Since COVID lockdown ended I have started a successful cash game with poker noobs. A few things that made it successful are:

1. I communicated that the expected win/loss amount for the night was about $20. $20 was a sweet spot for poker noobs during the early 00s boom, and I guess it still is. This is key and most important if you want your game to be sustainable without constantly recruiting new players.

2. I provide food. I usually cook, or if I'm busy I'll order food.

3. Open bar. I make cocktails.

4. I send out an invitation with the menu and other details and switch up the food and feature cocktail each game.

We started with 50c/$1 limit and a $40 buy in. I tracked the first 5 or so games and I was on target with the $20 win/loss, but there have been outlier nights - once a player profited $45, and another time a player lost $35.

Our starting stacks are 40 quarters and 30 dollars. Players would rarely make change for each other. We probably didn't need 2 barrels of quarters each, especially if no limit was in the rotation, but more chip = more fun!

When I introduced no limit I told the players they can expect to win/lose about 2 buy ins, and they can cap their no limit amount from $10-$20. This allows players to keep wins/losses around the $20 average, or increase them.

For a .25/.25 NL and .50/$1 LIMIT mixed cash game I'd start players with a barrel of quarters and dollars each, and build my set appropriately based on 3-5 re buys per person. The workhorse will be $1.