Getting New Players to Come Back (1 Viewer)

[mashoo]

All my crew except for 3 players have played in a $1/2 game at a casino out of 25(?) or so, and we play a .25/.25 spread limit to $5 max with an option to play with an overs button for $10. It has protected the new players and playing overs let's some of the more experienced players play a bit bigger. Ymmv

 

[TexRex]

MrCatPants, I was telling you what someone else did, not what you should do. But the basic idea is two games at two levels. Some work in teams, so going to the A B C Fun, one guy hosts 2 games and another guy hosts 2, and they are in 1 or 2 mutual games together. But for one guy, at least for me, I'd think 2 would be my limit, and that's on a monthly basis, not weekly.

The tournament crowd and the cash crowd is a different issue. Some will only play one or the other, and some will play both. Of those who will play both, they probably wants relatively comparable buy-ins, but that isn't necessarily true.

 

[Amarena Fabbri]

Hosting a game requires a lot of work trying to keep it filled. No one wants to play shorthanded all night. Use your social network to spread the word about your game. If it's intended to be a social game for the guys to spend an evening playing cards, then keep the buy-ins and blinds low and the games where the equities don't run so close. This will keep newbies from losing too much too quickly. On the other hand, if you're looking for bigger games with big winners and losers, then you'll need to set expectations before inviting these new players into your game. Suggest a bankroll size and honestly describe the swings that they can expect as well as the skill levels of the regular players. Keeping the pond stocked with fish isn't easy.

 

[codeman00]

This has been an interesting thread because you have completely different problem as having too many players to pick from where as I can barely find enough players to fill one table. So feel fortunate to have that many players to choose from!

I agree, if you are already running two tables and are comfortable with it, having an A and a B table is a great idea. Everyone can be there and play but the fish would be protected a bit. There's no protection in our single table game...none at all.

 

[MrCatPants]

This has been an interesting thread because you have completely different problem as having too many players to pick from where as I can barely find enough players to fill one table. So feel fortunate to have that many players to choose from!

I agree, if you are already running two tables and are comfortable with it, having an A and a B table is a great idea. Everyone can be there and play but the fish would be protected a bit. There's no protection in our single table game...none at all.

I've been having decent luck expanding through referrals. The key has been getting access to multiple social circles - it's not who you know, it's who who you know knows.

 

[krazystew]

Lots of great ideas in this thread.

We started our game 15 or so years ago and most were newbies. We had many "learning" games ($5 buy-in, 5c/10c with lots of explaining along the way). There were a few experienced players that were gracious enough to give others a chance to learn.

Over time, the group evolved into a small "social club." We played every Weds night and mixed up the games based on who showed up. If we had lots of newbies, we would play 5c/10c NLHE. If we had all the socialites and drinkers, we played 25c ante dealer's choice. If everyone showed up, we played 2 games.

The 2 game nights were the best. 1st game - 20 player NLHE tournament $20 buy in. 2nd game - Dealer's choice cash game either 25c ante or 50c/1.00 HORSE.

Everyone played the tourney, but newbies could leave and not play the cash game if they weren't comfortable with the other games, or the higher stakes. Gradually, more and more of the newbies were also playing in the cash game until the 20 player tourney nights ended with a 20 player cash game.

Or Weds night double-header went on for about 5 years! Changing jobs and people moving away eventually broke it up, but we are hoping to get something like this going again.

 

[CHP TD]

Hey all

ive started a poker training boot camp for nebies one night a fortnight. I show them the basics then they don't feel like prey and have a much better time playing.

as a result they stay. i've had a 100% success rate so far. but it hasn't been going long.

 

[MrCatPants]

Hey all

ive started a poker training boot camp for nebies one night a fortnight. I show them the basics then they don't feel like prey and have a much better time playing.

as a result they stay. i've had a 100% success rate so far. but it hasn't been going long.

What are you doing on this? Like $5 buy-ins with alot of education and tools ready available like hand rank guides and such?

I think part of "keeping the game alive" is work like this - we've all gotta be building new players if we can, but it's an intimidating game to walk into.

 

[Lemonzest]

Short handed can be fun...sometimes when people don't show we play 3-4 handed all night and it is actually a blast.

My favourite for short handed is as follows:

Heads up - super fun! (but expensive for the loser)

Next best thing is four handed.

Still ok but my least favourite is 3 way poker.

5 handed is better than all of the above.

6 handed is perfect and even better than 5 handed.

 

[upNdown]

I would recommend doing some learning games with the new players. Invite just them, no money, free tournament. After each hand players reveal their cards and discuss how it was played and why. Give some advice, have them ask questions. They will feel more comfortable with only other new players to ask questions.

I wonder how this offer goes over. I'd think a lot of people would rather think they've just been having bad luck, than to be told they're not good at poker, even if it's done nicely, in the context of offering help.

 

[inca911]

...my least favourite is 3 way poker.

You need to learn Open Faced Chinese Poker/Pineapple! It is a fantastic game three handed. Or invite two members of the opposite sex for other fantastic three way action.

 

[Lemonzest]

You need to learn Open Faced Chinese Poker/Pineapple! It is a fantastic game three handed. Or invite two members of the opposite sex for other fantastic three way action. Hehe

Yeah I have never learned to play OFC. It was super hyped a while ago. My guys are pretty conventional (meaning they only want to play NLHE) so not sure they would go for it.

 

[CHP TD]

What are you doing on this? Like $5 buy-ins with alot of education and tools ready available like hand rank guides and such?

I think part of "keeping the game alive" is work like this - we've all gotta be building new players if we can, but it's an intimidating game to walk into.

its tournaments we play so we go through a video... there are a few good theory ones out there. then discuss things Why and do some exercises like running a flop then ranking hands from the flop. eg whats the nuts 2nd 3rd and so on usually stop at about ten hands,

strategy stuff Basic therom etc. just started on odds. EV etc

then play a tourney then discuss the hand if its a bit interesting.

 

[MrCatPants]

its tournaments we play so we go through a video... there are a few good theory ones out there. then discuss things Why and do some exercises like running a flop then ranking hands from the flop. eg whats the nuts 2nd 3rd and so on usually stop at about ten hands,

strategy stuff Basic therom etc. just started on odds. EV etc

then play a tourney then discuss the hand if its a bit interesting.

Curious - what videos do you use?

 

[CHP TD]

Curious - what videos do you use?

Theres a card players cruises world players conference video from 2004 (yeah its old) where Lee Jones has a short piece on sit and go strategy. very high level, very conservative and to the point. only goes for about ten minutes.

then we do a starts playmoney sng.