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Had my first home game! (1 Viewer)

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StonedKold

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First home game with the new table/chips/shuffler!

IMG_7080.webp
 
Table - check!
Chips - check!
Shuffletech - check!
Chairs - check!

Let’s GO!!!!!

Congrats hope everything went well , nice job!
 
That setup looks great! How was the game? What did you play?
 
I'm new to hosting myself. Any tips you want to pass along to a noob? (Getting a blind timer is the only one I can suggest. Oh, and a dedicated garbage bin for empty beer cans)
 
@PapaWheelie — congrats on getting your game going! A few things that make a real difference once you're past the "do I have chips and a table" phase:

Keep the game moving. Dead time between hands kills the energy, especially for newer players. The shuffletech already solves a lot of this, but also: announce blinds clearly when they change, have a consistent way to handle missed blinds, and if you're running a tournament don't let people sit out and miss multiple levels without a plan.

Set expectations before the first hand. A quick two-minute rundown at the start of the night — even for returning players — goes a long way. House rules, rebuy policy if it's a tournament, what happens if someone needs to leave early. You don't need a rulebook, just a clear voice.

Food and drink logistics matter more than you'd think. Don't let the food break happen during the middle of a close hand or deep into a tournament. Either do it at a natural break point or keep stuff accessible so people can graze without stopping play.

Know your start and end time. "We'll play until midnight" is better than letting it drag indefinitely. Regulars will appreciate knowing how to plan, and it prevents that awkward energy of half the table wanting to leave and half wanting to keep going.

The blind timer is non-negotiable — 100% agree with you there. The garbage bin is also underrated wisdom.
 
Appreciate all the feedback everyone, Yes, all my purchases were very strategic, and I actually read up on everything I bought before making the decisions I did. I was a tad worried about the shuffle tech shuffler, but I haven't had a single issue it's been great. All my games only go till around midnight but I have found ground rules at the beginning are always necessary. Also I just added a mini fridge with beverages so thats helped alot.

The one thing I'm not a big fan of really if everyone having to use my bathroom inside my house while I'm dealing. Anything you guy's do for that?
 
StonedKold said:
Appreciate all the feedback everyone, Yes, all my purchases were very strategic, and I actually read up on everything I bought before making the decisions I did. I was a tad worried about the shuffle tech shuffler, but I haven't had a single issue it's been great. All my games only go till around midnight but I have found ground rules at the beginning are always necessary. Also I just added a mini fridge with beverages so thats helped alot.

The one thing I'm not a big fan of really if everyone having to use my bathroom inside my house while I'm dealing. Anything you guy's do for that?
Click to expand...
Diapers.
 
Nice setup for your first home game. My first home game I hosted was 26 years ago. We played .25/.50 7 cards stud on an old fold up table with plastic chips from Walmart and paper cards. The house me and my three buddies rented at had a 1960s “finished basement” that looked like a VFW

its looked more like this 😂.



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How is the shuffle tech. Do you have it sound insulated. How loud is it, and does it take away from the atmosphere while its shuffling. I've wanted one, but afraid of the decimal level.
 
4SUMERZ said:
How is the shuffle tech. Do you have it sound insulated. How loud is it, and does it take away from the atmosphere while its shuffling. I've wanted one, but afraid of the decimal level.
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The shuffle tech doesn't affect talk or anything of the game, I was concerned about this as well but its not bad at all.
 
StonedKold said:
The one thing I'm not a big fan of really if everyone having to use my bathroom inside my house while I'm dealing. Anything you guy's do for that?
Click to expand...
You mean when they deuce, or are you concerned about the piss drips on the floor?

I communicate this to players: "Deuce BEFORE you come to the game. In the unlikely event you have to deuce, you can go across the street to the Irish pub. If it's an emergency deuce, I'm not an unreasonable person. You can take the elevator down to the gym and use the bathroom there."
 
I can't remember if it was @MrCarParts or @bergs , but one of them had a good list of rules that covered bathroom use.
 
StonedKold said:
The one thing I'm not a big fan of really if everyone having to use my bathroom inside my house while I'm dealing. Anything you guy's do for that?
Click to expand...

Make sure the wax seal on your toilet isn't 25 years old and ready to give out. Don't ask.
 
mattowilliams said:
how is the auto shuffler? Worth it?
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I know this was for the OP, but I also had my first home game with a shuffler. I’ve been hosting for 25+ year in some form.

It has a very noticeable impact on the speed of the game. It eliminates having to deal with players who shuffle slow or poorly…which is most. Probably doubled the hands played over a 6 hour session.

“Worth it” is subjective. To me it was. As a person that invested time many years ago into learning a proper casino shuffle (wash, riffle, riffle, strip, riffle, cut in 15 seconds) it is quite annoying how poorly people shuffle….also why talking and not paying attention. Often “shuffling” for 30+ seconds. I also personally can’t stand the clutter of using two decks.

I went the more expensive route with a Deckmate. I have a massive collection of bridge sized cards and didn’t want to deal with the occasional jamming reported with Shuffletechs (mostly having to use only poker size card part though). We often play sessions 6-8 hours long every month.

@minedelta gave me enough confidence with his vast knowledge around the Deckmate to make the purchase. It worked phenomenally well. We had two issues…both user error. One time the cut card was left in the deck and the other was caused when my son, who was dealing, put the deck in half sideways. All you had to do was push the red button and restart.

IMG_4216.webp
 
damn! nice set-up. My first game i bought a sheet of green felt from Michaels and used binder clips to hold it to the table.
I think you waited to long to host...
 
StonedKold said:
Thanks I meant first home game with the new setup, I’ve been hosting a game but it’s been on my pool table. I finally sold my pool table and bought this set up. It went great! It was a really smooth night, we play .50/$1 $20-$50 buyins
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Great investment ! Hopefully you win big as a host
 
David251999 said:
Oh absolutely but hotdogs are like the man’s version of popcorn. Nothing like throwing back a few beers and slamming a couple dogs while playing poker!🤣
Click to expand...
Too much a chance grease, mustard or…GOD forbid …ketchup gets on my cards and chips. But you said men…and men don’t put ketchup on hotdogs….unless this is a 6 year old kids poker party.

I serve only dry pretzels.
 

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