Do You Feel Weird Taking it All Down as Host? (1 Viewer)

[justsomedude]

So, I binked my home tourney BBQ and high hand jackpot this weekend. There was no extraordinary play on my part... just a lot of rungood with AA's (back to back at one point), JJ's, KK's, AK, etc. all throughout the tournament. Hit a couple sets, full houses, and the occasional straight and flush... and AQ even worked out (which it never does), giving me As full of Qs. I got the lucky/hot seat for sure.

And while this was my first timing winning my own tournament in the 2 years I've been hosting it, I have to say it felt a little awkward taking all of my guests' money.

Should I not feel weird? Is this just "part of the deal"? Any input/advice is appreciated.

 

[krafticus]

Nope! In the 7 years I've hosted my game, I think I've done it twice. I hope to increase that number this year.

 

[MegaTon44]

Yes, you should. Only douchebags bink their own tournaments.

Seriously though, I'm a little more strict than most when it comes to hosting. Tournaments are one thing, as it is an fun competition with a fixed loss, so you aren't bankrupting your friends. In that case, play your ass off and gun to win.

In a cash game, I do deem it dickish if the host plays like he's trying to bring home a bracelet, especially if it is a social game. I have about 25 people come to my cash game each month, and if I notice someone who is playing super aggro and trying to felt everyone, diminishing the experience for people to the point where they don't return, I do not invite them back. As for myself, I play pretty light. Even if I'm slammed with the deck, I do not try to squeeze every dollar out of my equity.

Congrats on winning! After spending the time to organize the event, I would consider it a nice bonus.

 

[derekdd23]

You are hosting what looked to be a pretty kick ass tourney with 0 rake, you deserve to try to take it down and be happy about it!

 

[bentax1978]

I do not try to squeeze every dollar out of my equity.

 

[detroitdad]

Not at all. Most tourneys I host are low stakes, 20.00ish buy ins

 

[72o]

Never really thought about NOT winning. How the hell else do you pay for chips?

 

[DrStrange]

Note - cash games only for me.

I never feel bad / weird / or whatever when I cash out big. My style of play is not conducive to breaking everyone at the table. I rarely turn out to be the big winner for any given session, but generally I do better than most.

I recommend some meta strategies for a winning host. Make sure to soothe the wounds of the players as the bust and walk out. I walk my players to the door sometimes, whispering "sweet" words appropriate to the player. I always try to understate my wins and amplify my losses - not stupid statements but just shades of grey. I try to remember old triumphs and help players remember their lucky nights when the current session isn't going so well.

The goal is to help make poker night fun. I'll feed you a fine meal, ply you with candy and ice cream and give you a shot at making some money while playing in the poker emporium. In exchange, you might lose a little more than you win. But even when felted, you will go home having had a good time if I did my job as host.

DrStrange

 

[bentax1978]

I recommend some meta strategies for a winning host.

My strategy when I used to host a weekly game was to provide lots of free beer and food, use most of my winning to purchase new chips and extra TVs (for everyone to enjoy), and to remind everyone that in the long run the poker lessons they were getting were relatively cheap.

 

[Rhodeman77]

If you are hosting tournaments to lose them then are you available for a heads up tournament?

Most hosts do pretty well in the tournament around here. They take the game more seriously and make sure the structure isn't a turbo so that better play is rewarded.

Congrats on the win and enjoy it!

The high hand bonus on the other hand I might exclude myself from winning as it is usually used to help draw more/new players.

 

[bergs]

If I end up the big winner at a cash game I host, I usually make sure that all of the other players know what massive fish they were, and I rub each and every chip that I won on my titties and then pound my chest like King Kong while screaming "GOD. ZILLA. AINT. GOT. SHIT. ON. ME."

^ I stopped doing these when JoseRijo pointed out that I was mixing King Kong and Godzilla. Now I just make signs on post-its that say "I LOST MY ROLLZ TO TRUMANS DAD" and slap everyone on the back as they're leaving.

 

[ChaosRock]

 

[Trihonda]

I've had pretty decent rungood in my tourneys. A number of my regs just assume I'm going to bink it. I think ive only won 4 times (which includes a MTTD main event), but I'm very often in the mix near the end.

I just tell people it's an rfid table and I can see the hole cards in my google chrome glasses. .

I play to win, but if you've played against me, I'm not an overly agro-punish-any-sign-of-weakness kinda player.

As a player, I am in it to have fun and win, but as a host, my goal is for all my players (win or lose) to have a great time.

Edited because I was curious and ran the numbers:

Of the 15 tracked tourneys (20-30 person) I've hosted, I've cashed 9 of them. Typically pay out top 4-5 players. I've taken 1st place 4 times, 2nd place 4 times, and a single 3rd place. My player pool is a mix of solid players (who play live 2-3x/wk) and rec occasional players.

I think these "hosted" stats are far better than my avg non hosted games stats. Overall I think my tourney cash rate is around 38%. Typically 30-70 person bar tourneys.

 

[Jambine]

<<Do You Feel Weird Taking it All Down as Host?>>

No

 

[chipjoker]

Dont ever feel bad about taking it all, unless you did it by force..

You are there to play and possibly win just like all the other players.. If you have a player that says something to you about it, they dont need to be at the game. I host cash games, some times I get huge wins and win the high hand, my players congratulate me.. I also congratulate them when they take all my money... Its poker, you win, you lose, you lose, and sometime you lose.

 

[Kyle]

Not at all! You won it fair and square. Take the money and keep on hosting!

 

[QuiQuog]

Only when I'm wearing my special sunglasses that allow me to see the markings on the cards. :

 

[Wils]

In the last year I've won more games than anyone else at my place. Your lot will get used to it

 

[Psypher1000]

Any input/advice is appreciated.

The first unwritten rule of poker is, "Protect yourself at all times." Someone sits down at the table, they best be prepared to lose whatever they risk. Doesn't matter if it's a home game, casino game, whatever. So with that said...

Should I not feel weird?

Nooope! Take it down, bro!

 

[T_Chan]

I never feel weird when I go to a game and the host takes it down, so I don't think it should feel weird if you host and take it down either. Unless it's so common that you start to lose players over it, but I highly doubt that's the case anywhere.

2 years ago, I binked 4 tournies in a row at the start of the year. That felt weird, then I went cold for the rest of the year so everything averaged out but I was starting to get worried the players were going to start to think it was rigged.

 

[brains613]

My strategy when I used to host a weekly game was to provide lots of free beer and food, use most of my winning to purchase new chips and extra TVs (for everyone to enjoy), and to remind everyone that in the long run the poker lessons they were getting were relatively cheap.

And you did a fine job. Except for that ridiculous commute, and the speed cameras near your place, I loved your game and would have attended more.

 

[krafticus]

And you did a fine job. Except for that ridiculous commute, and the speed cameras near your place, I loved your game and would have attended more.

I am still up for all of my sessions there. Bummed you moved not too long after we met, and I really wished I could have played more than 1 time there.

 

[bentax1978]

And you did a fine job. Except for that ridiculous commute, and the speed cameras near your place, I loved your game and would have attended more.

I am still up for all of my sessions there. Bummed you moved not too long after we met, and I really wished I could have played more than 1 time there.

Thanks guys. Of all the things I miss in regards to moving, losing my weekly game and poker friends is easily number one.

And yeah, speed cameras and long commutes are definitely -EV and not something I miss about the DC area (n) :thumbsdown:

 

[codeman00]

Yes, I do feel weird when I win big whether I'm a host or a guest of a home game. It's awkward sometimes but you shouldn't feel bad. Like it was noted above, the people that show up should be prepared to lose the money they put up and you shouldn't feel bad for anyone... Unless, they are new to the game. I usually take it easy on people when they start out because I want them to enjoy themselves and come back again. So sometimes, I might treat them a bit differently to get them up to speed. As the people get seasoned, I don't feel as bad for them if I win.

I think a lot of this that host our own games are probably above average in skill compared to the rest of the group. We want to play more, so we host and organize more games. It only makes sense that we would win at an above average rate. I know there are exceptions to this rule...but I think it holds true in a lot of cases.

 

[ChipTalker]

I host both cash and tourneys (no rake) and goto other players games as well. Everyone plays to win including me. There is no other way to play and no awkwardness. Maybe a raked game is different and maybe the host should not play in those cases but I have no experience hosting that.

 

[nitzilla]

Should I not feel weird?

Yes, I'll take my $45 back after you somehow beat my QJo with pocket ducks.......how the fuck do those hold up against unsuited overs............???????!!!!!!!!

 

[justsomedude]

Yes, I'll take my $45 back after you somehow beat my QJo with pocket ducks.......how the fuck do those hold up against unsuited overs............???????!!!!!!!!

According to Bagley...

 

[upNdown]

I don't like playing any other way than my best. I've been in games where there was a total noob who shouldn't have been at the table, and I've backed off to try to let him get the hang of it, and that sort of thing just never ends well. It's not poker and it's not fun.

 

[Trihonda]

I don't like playing any other way than my best. I've been in games where there was a total noob who shouldn't have been at the table, and I've backed off to try to let him get the hang of it, and that sort of thing just never ends well. It's not poker and it's not fun.

I tend to alter my play to my competitors. I think this is a good skill to have, and allows me to adjust to higher level players varying skills/tactics. However, it also allows me to play to the level of my competitor. If I'm in Vegas, playing against a table full of grinders, I can get very focused, while pretending to be aloof. However, if I'm playing against a bunch of newbies, I don't want to go into "punisher" mode, attacking every -EV move they make. I make it more friendly. Punishing weak home game Players out of their stacks in 3 orbits isn't going to be +EV in the long run, especially if I want a table full of players, or get invited back.

At meet ups, I tend to play in between punisher mode and newbie mode. Probably less focused than I could/should be, but a meetup is about social interactions for me in addition to Making +EV poker decisions.

 

[colter ripton]

When im playing poker I always play to win. Weather im playing for free or im playing 2/5 at the casino. If im not playing to win, or the people im playing with arnt playing to win, then it isnt fun for me. I understand about new players, and trying to make sure everyone has fun. Honestly though, if you cannot afford to lose your buy in, then you shouldn't be playing. All of my high school friends, who I use to play with quite regularly, (micro stakes cash games) wont play with me anymore. They say its no fun you always win. Thats fine, now I just play at the casino a couple times a week when I am home. I have a few friends now who I met at the poker tables, and I try to felt them every chance I get. They do the same to me, and I would disappointed if they didnt.