Getting People to Pay Attention in Home Games (1 Viewer)

[upNdown]

Ive never played with a HHJ that works this way and cant imagine I ever would. Why does it make any sense to add an incentive for people to slow/underplay a hand?

Every card room or casino I’ve ever played in has that rule for high hand jackpots.
I don’t care for high hand jackpots in home games for other reasons, but I don’t think they serve to keep people engaged. In fact that can have the opposite effect. I once sat at a home game for the last couple of hours, just nitting it up until the game was over and I could collect my bonus. I didn’t have any cash in my pocket and if I went bust and left, I wouldn’t be able to collect the bonus.

I think using two decks to keep things moving quickly is one of the best things you can do to keep people engaged. But I think it mostly comes down to the people. Some people are gonna leave their phone in their pocket all night and some people are going to staring at their screen all night and I don’t think you can do a lot to change that.

 

[ekricket]

Ive never played with a HHJ that works this way and cant imagine I ever would. Why does it make any sense to add an incentive for people to slow/underplay a hand?

I’ve never played anywhere where this wasn’t the case. How would it work otherwise? The flop comes and the first player bets and everyone folds. Then he shows he flopped aces full of kings. So even though there’s only a flop, and nobody played, this guy is eligible for high hand?

Everywhere ive ever seen a high hand jackpot there are two conditions

1. Hand must go to showdown on the river. Doesn’t count if someone makes a river bet and everyone folds - that’s not a showdown.
2. Both hole cards must be used. I’ve seen this relaxed in a home game atmosphere, but never in a casino.

 

[FestiveKnight]

You guys are right. I’m being dumb. I was thinking about 7-2 where if you do get all folds you can show to get the bonus. Doesn’t change that I dislike that aspect of HHJ rules but it is how it’s done

 

[inca911]

Easiest fix: if a player asks if action is on them, and it is, they pay the pot a chip penalty. If a player is clueless such that others are waiting for action or have to remind them to act, same penalty applies. Problem easily solved. Don’t like the penalty? Pay attention or find another game. Option to increase penalty upon repeat infractions.

 

[Jers28]

Most of the guys I play with only half way paying attention and I usually have to keep reminding people it's their turn, etc.

Any tips on getting people more engaged or just getting the game to move along? I have only done cash, but maybe tournament that raises the blinds?

Raise the stakes. I used to deal with this non stop. When people are in for $20, no one gives a shit. Including this host. I complained that I wanted to play “real cards” for years. Then I decided to change the buy-in/rebuys. Suddenly I’ve got a room full of meerkats. lol

 

[Taghkanic]

Any tips on getting people more engaged or just getting the game to move along?

 

[Lester86]

Raise the stakes. I used to deal with this non stop. When people are in for $20, no one gives a shit. Including this host. I complained that I wanted to play “real cards” for years. Then I decided to change the buy-in/rebuys. Suddenly I’ve got a room full of meerkats. lol

What are your stakes now?

 

[parazyd]

Imagine just connecting it to each chair

 

[Jers28]

What are your stakes now?

We play $1/2 NLH with a max buy in of $200 for starters, but we play match the stacks on rebuys, a $20 bomb pot (button calls the game) after every mono suited flop (usually double board PLO) with straddles under the gun and on the button, so it quickly plays like a 2/5 ga,e and on crazy nights, more like a $5/10. Technically, it’s a $1/2/5/10 about 60-70% of the hands. We have a small handful that don’t straddle, the rest of us are lunatics. lol

Some pics from tonight’s game. The kid with the insane stack is my 14 year old son.

 

[Jers28]

I should add that a lot of my OG friends won’t play for weekly cash and that’s cool. We do a monthly MTT for $50 buy ins to let everyone that wants to play have a game they’re comfortable playing. We sometimes play .25/.50 on a side table, with the main game I described on the main, while the MTT is wrapping up.

 

[Lester86]

We play $1/2 NLH with a max buy in of $200 for starters, but we play match the stacks on rebuys, a $20 bomb pot (button calls the game) after every mono suited flop (usually double board PLO) with straddles under the gun and on the button, so it quickly plays like a 2/5 ga,e and on crazy nights, more like a $5/10. Technically, it’s a $1/2/5/10 about 60-70% of the hands. We have a small handful that don’t straddle, the rest of us are lunatics. lol

Some pics from tonight’s game. The kid with the insane stack is my 14 year old son.

Very nice setup you have! I want to get a nicer table soon.

 

[Jers28]

Very nice setup you have! I want to get a nicer table soon.

Thanks! Tables are a labor of love for me. I can’t seem to stop building them. lol I’m in the process of building a clone to the main table (pictured), but with fold out legs for MTTs. It will replace the middle table, which I made over 20 years ago. She had a great run, but it’s time for her to move on.

 

[UncleMilty]

Ive never played with a HHJ that works this way and cant imagine I ever would. Why does it make any sense to add an incentive for people to slow/underplay a hand?

I agree, but his game his rules