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Do you take rake when hosting a game? (1 Viewer)

louBdub said:
Nope, would never play at a raked game.

Scenario:

You play in a raked game.

Game gets busted, because someone called and tipped off law enforcement (for any reason)

The host is now arrested, and you have a federal subpoena to appear in a federal court.

You’re just a player, along with every other player, which immediately turns into survivor games…

First to help the FBI agent assigned to the case wins.

Your life falls into shambles.

All of you and your friends have told on one another to save yourselves.

Your wife leaves you.

You’re fired.

You’re on the way home from the initial hearing, BAM! Car accident, because you were so depressed by the entire situation and weren’t paying attention.

The car accident left you paralyzed.

Nobody visits you…. In jail. While paralyzed.

Furthermore, your beautiful Paulson are taken, because you let the host who had the raked game use them once. They are now evidence tagged as a “gambling device” and will be auctioned.

And your dog died. From sadness. Because you left.
Click to expand...
escalated-quickly-anchorman.gif
 
utgtrash said:
oh and yes tipping is optional but you know, you look bad if you don't.
Click to expand...

Meh, we all take turns hosting and contributing. If someone has a losing night I don't expect them to leave anything. Our group is pretty lax and we all get along.
 
louBdub said:
Nope, would never play at a raked game.

Scenario:

You play in a raked game.

Game gets busted, because someone called and tipped off law enforcement (for any reason)

The host is now arrested, and you have a federal subpoena to appear in a federal court.

You’re just a player, along with every other player, which immediately turns into survivor games…

First to help the FBI agent assigned to the case wins.

Your life falls into shambles.

All of you and your friends have told on one another to save yourselves.

Your wife leaves you.

You’re fired.

You’re on the way home from the initial hearing, BAM! Car accident, because you were so depressed by the entire situation and weren’t paying attention.

The car accident left you paralyzed.

Nobody visits you…. In jail. While paralyzed.

Furthermore, your beautiful Paulson are taken, because you let the host who had the raked game use them once. They are now evidence tagged as a “gambling device” and will be auctioned.

And your dog died. From sadness. Because you left.
Click to expand...
This is a true story….and a country song.
 
At my games we don't rake but everybody pitches in $15 for food and drinks. We've always got a fully stocked fridge with beer and drinks. Usually grill burgers or order pizza and have the hot dog roller going in the second half of the game. If somebody really doesn't want anything to eat or drink we don't force them to pitch in. But the vast majority of players like this set up since our games go for 8-12 hours and they know we won't run out of food or drinks.
 
louBdub said:
Nope, would never play at a raked game.

Scenario:

You play in a raked game.

Game gets busted, because someone called and tipped off law enforcement (for any reason)

The host is now arrested, and you have a federal subpoena to appear in a federal court.

You’re just a player, along with every other player, which immediately turns into survivor games…

First to help the FBI agent assigned to the case wins.

Your life falls into shambles.

All of you and your friends have told on one another to save yourselves.

Your wife leaves you.

You’re fired.

You’re on the way home from the initial hearing, BAM! Car accident, because you were so depressed by the entire situation and weren’t paying attention.

The car accident left you paralyzed.

Nobody visits you…. In jail. While paralyzed.

Furthermore, your beautiful Paulson are taken, because you let the host who had the raked game use them once. They are now evidence tagged as a “gambling device” and will be auctioned.

And your dog died. From sadness. Because you left.
Click to expand...

Is your real name Will Hunting. Lol
 
No rake for friendly home games, unless you want to attract police or underworld attention I suggest keeping it that way.
If holding a tournament it's not uncommon to have all players agree to use "X" portion of the pot to pay for dinner, drinks etc... ie if sandwiches and drink cost approx $120 then using $120 of the total tourney entry funds for dinner is very reasonable. As for a cash game allowing players to agree to all throw in "X" in chips as their share is fine by me, or better to use real (not on the table $).
Taking a per hand fee off the top is difficult to equate to total amount spent on XYZ and can feel like your nickle and diming your friends.
If your looking to recoup your cost of cards/table/utilities/rent etc then I suggest looking for a underground rental space, paying your protection fees and recruiting staff......Good Luck, but dont expect to do that at your home games.
 
Rakrul said:
That's much cheaper than store prices in Norway, sign me up. Craft beer here starts at $10.
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The beauty of living in the Midwest of the USA, cost of living is much lower here than most other parts of the country. Downside is when we travel and everything costs twice as much as we are used to paying at home.
 
I have never, and would never, rake a game. I've played in one though. It was hosted by a bunch of retirees, typically out of a 'retirement village'. The rake was split between paying for a meal and paying out a high hand jackpot (for hold'em). The meal was never quite worth the per person price, but I viewed it as a reasonable fee for the privilege of taking that sweet cold retiree cash. Plus they did a hold'em / O8 split, and O8 is well known by the wise as the best fucking thing ever. They stopped inviting me after a year.
 
Nope, no chance.

Players do tend to bring snacks for community use though; which is appreciated!
 
No, and I doubt I would ever play in most raked home games.

1. In most, if not all, jurisdictions in the US, a raked game is illegal. I don't think the legal exposure is worth it.

2. Once you start raking as a host, you're essentially running a business/offering a service. To me, its no longer a friendly game and most players will expect more from you because you are profiting off of the game. It also invites drama as people may want to argue or question if the rake is exceeding the expenses of the host (assuming your advertised reason for raking is to cover the costs).

3. Players in raked games turn into customers, and I don't want to play in someone else's game if they are motivated to go out and find people to fill the table. Who knows what types of people will end up in the game. This risk of the game getting raided by police or robbed increases exponentially when its no longer just a casual game amongst friends.
 
Never.

In fact, just the opposite. I shell out $$ to fund a whiskey tasting and dinner/snacks before hand.
 
I like tips towards dealers and so on but rake is a rough sell in a friendly game. I have been thinking about stocking up beers and selling beer chips at costs (Mainly as an excuse to buy more chips) And then you can change a chip for beer/drink.

It has not been standard in my games to offer food but that is something I have been thinking about a lot how and if I should implement it but I still would not rake the game.
 

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