First time player. First time host (1 Viewer)

[Tarsus4]

Should a minimum be set or should I allow someone to buy in for a few bucks and give them all quarters? Perhaps introducing 1¢? Also how to deal with cashing people out in the middle of a game? This aspect seems particularly complicated. What appeals to me about tournament play is paying everyone out at one time. Perhaps home rules about certain cash out breaks?

As I understand the etiquette, the best practice is to give an orbit's notice of your intent to cash-out (an easy way to do it is to announce on your last big blind and leave when it gets around to you again). That way there's no impression that you're leaving just because you want to lock up winnings from a good hand. Of course, if you bust you can just pick up and go.

For the rest of the table, I found it's helpful to have a known end time and have that be the beginning of the last orbit (set an alarm). That way people aren't all fidgeting wondering who should be the first to say "it's getting late..." Go with what's convenient for you as a host, if you want to go to bed at midnight start kicking people out at 11:15 or so =)

 

[Taghkanic]

As far as having cash for change -- For a game with these stakes, you're going to need a lot of small bills.

I might suggest that players be encouraged to round down to the nearest quarter when cashing out. Gets a little silly having to keep a ton of nickels to give out $32.35 as a payout. The spare nickels can go to some beer fund or a high hand jackpot or something.

 

[Taghkanic]

My other main suggestion would be that if all of the players are totally inexperienced, you may want to find someone to play in or referee the first few games who knows the game and the rules.

It could be pretty fun in a way to play blind with no one really knowing how to do it... But 100% of what I learned about how a poker game is supposed to work in my first few years came from being around much more experienced players.

Of course some of these proved to be oldschool players who were adhering to slightly outdated rules and customs, but they were way more in the ballpark than my guesswork would have been...

 

[Aleck Hoag]

Ok so I’ve spent the last week watching all the videos recommended in the thread. I watched the WSOP 1981, 83, 87 and 97. I also caught 4 or 5 WPT finals tables reruns. The game really started to mesmerize me in the middle of the 1981 video and I binged the next three. Now I’m really excited to get my game going!

For tournament play I ordered a t100 set with enough 5k and 25k to play t500. I figured I’d try a couple formats because I don’t know what I like yet and now’s the time to experiment.

For cash I’m still on the fence. I want to buy enough to support two tables regardless of how many I start with on day one. What I’m confused on, like every newbie, is fracs. I want to play micro stakes so I want 5¢ and 25¢ chips. I’m not buying for efficiency but I also don’t want to go overboard. When planning for two tables do I want two full single table cash sets and each table gets its own, or do I want one table cash set with 6-10 rebuys per person essentially covering the bank of two tables?

 

[Aleck Hoag]

If you have enough players for an MTT, or a 2 table game, don’t be afraid to run it. I started with 2 table games right out the gate. I quickly acquired 2 poker tables and dove right in.

I ordered 200x 100-25k to be able to play two tables out of the gate. I’m gonna give it a shot. It’s early days and a very casual group so I can play around with how I do things without too much hassle

 

[Aleck Hoag]

My other main suggestion would be that if all of the players are totally inexperienced, you may want to find someone to play in or referee the first few games who knows the game and the rules.

This person will have to be me I’ve been trying to consume as much gameplay as I can so that I can be a good host

 

[Jeevansluck]

This person will have to be me I’ve been trying to consume as much gameplay as I can so that I can be a good host

You can also print out a copy of the “Robert’s Rules for Poker”. I recently printed a copy, slapped it all in a binder and it’s sits in the poker room.

Luckily for me, I typically have a player or two, who have dealt cards at a casino for a living. Guys like that are immensely helpful. They can sort of help when weird shit happens.

I haven’t had to pull out the binder yet, but it’s there. Nobody even knows I have it there. I’ve briefly read it a little, seems there is very helpful stuff in there.

Just a thought. Good luck hosting man! You are gonna be hooked. I just LOVE to run poker.

 

[TheYeti]

As an addendum to Robert's Rules, you may want to write up your own set of House Rules. There's a ton of threads on PCF discussing House Rules.

 

[Aleck Hoag]

Great resources thanks

 

[XPorters]

Having good software for automatic blinds timer and structure really helped me for my 1st home Texas holdem tournament. There's a couple different options out there

 

[BigGrizz]

This is a good free software you can use in a browser.

https://ultimate-holdem-timer.com/home

 

[XPorters]

This is a good free software you can use in a browser.

https://ultimate-holdem-timer.com/home

Thank you! This is so much better than the paid software I was using

 

[thePokerClub]

I have run a home tournament club for 3 years. It is a lot of work so make sure you really enjoy it before trying to grow.

You may need to be out of pocket on costs - but that is YOUR price to play and to bring the game to you.

If you stick with it and try to grow just remember to vet your players, enforce rules consistently, and don't put up with shinnanegins (spelling?).

Always be thinking of new ways to reward your players and make them feel valued. That is your primary job.

 

[TheYeti]

You may need to be out of pocket on costs - but that is YOUR price to play and to bring the game to you.

I've hosted off and on for 20+ years and that's how I've always thought of it. I'm willing to pay for nice equipment in order to have a great poker experience for my players and myself just so I don't have to leave my house. I hate leaving my house.

 

[Aleck Hoag]

I'm willing to pay for nice equipment in order to have a great poker experience for my players and myself just so I don't have to leave my house. I hate leaving my house.

This is a large part of what got me into the hobby. The thing I love most about going out with friends is the friends part. We have a blast wherever we are, so may as well chill where we can pick the music, food, and ambiance

 

[Aleck Hoag]

This is a good free software you can use in a browser.

https://ultimate-holdem-timer.com/home

Thanks I’ll try this out for my first tournament. Just got some Olympus Casinos from the Poker Store. 5¢-$5. Going to have some small cash nights and hopefully when my tournament group buy chips get in I’ll know enough to be a decent host

 

[warma]

Totally late, but I’d recommend the following:
1. Do a micro stakes cash game for first several times to get people familiar and comfortable.
2. Start with Hold Em as there’s enough online to learn.
3. Once people are comfortable with the basics, make your way through the other HORSE games.
4. Start to up the antes until you find the sweet spot.
5. Skip tournaments.

 

[Aleck Hoag]

Why are tournaments so polarizing in the community? Is there a holy war thread I can read that covers the major pros/cons versus cash?

 

[thePokerClub]

I've hosted off and on for 20+ years and that's how I've always thought of it. I'm willing to pay for nice equipment in order to have a great poker experience for my players and myself just so I don't have to leave my house. I hate leaving my house.

100% we are aligned. It is better to bring the 'casino' to you in my opinion.

 

[thePokerClub]

Why are tournaments so polarizing in the community? Is there a holy war thread I can read that covers the major pros/cons versus cash?

Personally, I view tournaments as the great equalizer and like that it is a whole other kind of strategy.

It is best to be well rounded to play well in both environments.

 

[Aleck Hoag]

Personally, I view tournaments as the great equalizer

That’s why I think my group of beginners will like it. I’m going to force everyone to try cash and tournament either way

 

[BigGrizz]

As a newer guy to hosting myself, I know that tournaments have less of a mental block than cash games. My group does NOT like to gamble in general. Any cash game is like $20 and a small group of people who make 6 or near figures.

Every chip in a cash game has resistance. Its money they are putting on the line. Most of my players aren't fans.

A tournament is a one time entry, so limited cost. People who buy into tournaments seem to be more into the idea that they are paying to have some fun. If they win, its a cool bonus. I honestly believe this is why tournaments are so popular.

Because of this dynamic, I think deep stacking is actually pretty important in a tournament. Most players want to be in for at least a couple hours of play, maybe more. 20k or 25k structures with early rebuys are critical for this. This may make the overall tournament run longer, but that's okay. The early outs will have gotten their fun and the onea that run deep will be driven by the prize. Win win for everyone.

I do still love running low stakes freeroll tournaments where I put up a small prize and my friends all play for it. They buy food, I bankroll a small amount, and everyone is having a great time. This is because they just want to hang out and play.

 

[Tarsus4]

Why are tournaments so polarizing in the community? Is there a holy war thread I can read that covers the major pros/cons versus cash?

Can only speak for myself, but it's against the environment I'm trying to build to tell someone having a good time that they can't play anymore. Add onto that that tournaments necessarily have more to manage for the host. And they concentrate the winning outcome in the hands of the top ~15% (3 at a single table).

Don't get me wrong, I love playing in tournaments and as an occasional event they're cool to host, but it's not what my friends want out of a poker night.

 

[warma]

Can only speak for myself, but it's against the environment I'm trying to build to tell someone having a good time that they can't play anymore. Add onto that that tournaments necessarily have more to manage for the host. And they concentrate the winning outcome in the hands of the top ~15% (3 at a single table).

Don't get me wrong, I love playing in tournaments and as an occasional event they're cool to host, but it's not what my friends want out of a poker night.

Yep.

Plus, the core reason folks advise playing poker- if your costs are already sunk, then the pressure is off and people make bolder, bigger moves knowing it’s funny money. That risk of losing, and thrill of winning, real cash helps them grow faster, as the wins and losses are more tangible. As they grow more comfortable, you can raise the stakes.

 

[daddy4count]

A lot of good advice already given... I agree you should start small. One table, maybe limit to 8 players. Stick with Hold Em to start, nickel/dime ante.

Just have fun

Don't worry about getting it right yet. Keep cheat sheets around for folks who don't know hands, take your time and just enjoy it.

For sure look at some videos or tutorials for the basics. But just make sure everyone is comfortable, take your time to explain things, don't stress when a deal goes wrong or a split pot comes up ... Just learn and enjoy it.

Poker is easily the most fun you can have with a deck of cards. Focus on that and let things evolve naturally. If you get stuck, make a note to ask here about it later and then move on.

A well hosted game is not about the best poker in town. It is about having fun and making your guests want to come back for the next one

 

[dannyssteez]

I am not extremely experienced at running games, but the biggest piece of advice I can give is to avoid running a tournament the first time. Not only are they a bit more complicated to set up and regulate the incrementing blinds throughout, but they can drag on a little long for first timers and it might get a bit awkward for people who bust of the tourney early.