Tourney Horrible Hosting Experience (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Trihonda
- Start date
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
If there is anything that I, or other hosts get from this thread, it's that the host must always beware.
Losing multiple quality chips? I'd be F*cking furious. Serious, baseball bat and and chain link fence to the face like a cheese grater furious. I wouldn't even ask questions. AH gets the bat until until he winds up on limestone, or gives up Bourbon. Bourbon gets no quarter. He's new and someone robbed my home. He came to take money and left with no inclination that he was a friend. My old school Detroit upbringing would set things right. If the wrong guys wound up on the back of a milk carton, it would certainly send notice to the actual thief.
Problem solved
Yes, I have a dark streak. None of my friends have ever seen it. Come into my house and be friendly, and you will never know it is there.
Losing multiple quality chips? I'd be F*cking furious. Serious, baseball bat and and chain link fence to the face like a cheese grater furious. I wouldn't even ask questions. AH gets the bat until until he winds up on limestone, or gives up Bourbon. Bourbon gets no quarter. He's new and someone robbed my home. He came to take money and left with no inclination that he was a friend. My old school Detroit upbringing would set things right. If the wrong guys wound up on the back of a milk carton, it would certainly send notice to the actual thief.
Problem solved
Yes, I have a dark streak. None of my friends have ever seen it. Come into my house and be friendly, and you will never know it is there.
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I have been following your thread Trihonda, and there are a lot of posters who sympathize with you, but when you get down to the brass tacks, a home game is only as good as the person who is doing the hosting.
You want to host a game with x number of players, even if that means inviting players that are not well liked by your friends and have given you problems in the past. You state that you have invited pro's and novices to your game, while complaining that these pros are scaring away the fish, and how you were run over by Mr. Bourbon. (Personally, I think you use the term professional a little loosely. I have several skilled poker playing friends who have no interest in low stake games, and I would not call them pros.) You say you like poker because it is a game of skill, but that you want a level playing field, even though "you have always tried to create an atmosphere to challenge skilled players."
You are all over the place. I am having a hard time pegging your comfort zone. Slow down and decide what kind of game that you want to host. Do you want to host a game for your friends who are largely recreational poker players and have great attitudes? Or do you want to seek out skilled players who will challenge you, and force the other players to lift their game, even if they do come across as a bit douchy? (Like your friends who made the prop bet)
I am sincerely sorry to hear about your lost chips, but the rest of your post is a bunch of self conflicted twine that only you can undo.
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Personally, I think it is six of one, and a half dozen of the other.
You want to host a game with x number of players, even if that means inviting players that are not well liked by your friends and have given you problems in the past. You state that you have invited pro's and novices to your game, while complaining that these pros are scaring away the fish, and how you were run over by Mr. Bourbon. (Personally, I think you use the term professional a little loosely. I have several skilled poker playing friends who have no interest in low stake games, and I would not call them pros.) You say you like poker because it is a game of skill, but that you want a level playing field, even though "you have always tried to create an atmosphere to challenge skilled players."
You are all over the place. I am having a hard time pegging your comfort zone. Slow down and decide what kind of game that you want to host. Do you want to host a game for your friends who are largely recreational poker players and have great attitudes? Or do you want to seek out skilled players who will challenge you, and force the other players to lift their game, even if they do come across as a bit douchy? (Like your friends who made the prop bet)
I am sincerely sorry to hear about your lost chips, but the rest of your post is a bunch of self conflicted twine that only you can undo.
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Personally, I think it is six of one, and a half dozen of the other.
Mental Nomad
Full House
I think it's abundantly clear that Trihonda is trying to run a social game that everyone can enjoy and which nobody abuses. I don't see where he ever said that pros are scaring away the fish - rather, Asshats are driving off the Friendlies.
And Mojo1312, I think you're making an absolutely false distinction between "recreational players with great attitudes" and "skilled players who... come across a bit douchy." We are not just two kinds of players.
And Mojo1312, I think you're making an absolutely false distinction between "recreational players with great attitudes" and "skilled players who... come across a bit douchy." We are not just two kinds of players.
OP
OP
Mojo, I sometimes host smaller games with exclusively skilled players... And I've mentioned pros, but I am serious when I say that Pros get invited to my game. Look up Mark Kroon. I play with him regularly locally, and he was last years ME chip leader for two days. I'm not claiming to be as good as Kroon, but I'm not intimidated to sit at a table with him, and his like.
But I also host games with a variety of skill levels. I modify my invite list accordingly.
Yes, when I host a larger event, I want to show everyone a good time, skilled and novices alike. The novices ran very deep in my tourney against very skilled players. I don't care if you're skilled, but skilled (and an asshat) doesn't seem to work out very well for my novices, who aren't used to dealing with table antics and people bullying them specifically because they're newish. Aggressively knocking over a 300+ chip stack was done more than just to send another experienced player into tilt, it was done to send a message to the table, that I'm the alpha male/bully... My house should be less intimidating to a newbie than a casino... And do you think THAT would be allowed at a casino? How do you think that was perceived by the table? Especially since I had specifically mentioned touching another's chips as being against the rules (posted). Did that undermine my position as the host? How about after he'd been asked not to, and continued?
But I also host games with a variety of skill levels. I modify my invite list accordingly.
Yes, when I host a larger event, I want to show everyone a good time, skilled and novices alike. The novices ran very deep in my tourney against very skilled players. I don't care if you're skilled, but skilled (and an asshat) doesn't seem to work out very well for my novices, who aren't used to dealing with table antics and people bullying them specifically because they're newish. Aggressively knocking over a 300+ chip stack was done more than just to send another experienced player into tilt, it was done to send a message to the table, that I'm the alpha male/bully... My house should be less intimidating to a newbie than a casino... And do you think THAT would be allowed at a casino? How do you think that was perceived by the table? Especially since I had specifically mentioned touching another's chips as being against the rules (posted). Did that undermine my position as the host? How about after he'd been asked not to, and continued?
I co-host a once a month cumulative points league. We have 20 regular players who receive first dibs on the 20 seats each month. We play 11 regular season events and 2 post season events through the year. When a regular can't make it, we have a sub list we go to. The subs are mostly friends/relatives of the regulars/hosts.
We have a great group. We're up to 5 hosts this season. The hosts always provide dinner (usually pizza), soda and water for the events they host. Our events are strictly BYOB.
A handful of the group tip the host. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less. But it is never expected.
After our tourneys consolidate to one table, a cash game almost always fires up on the second table. We always have a change bank on hand.
We are in our 6th season. We have picked up a new host in each of the last few seasons, (in our first season we had 3 hosts). This season, a couple who are regulars have stated they want to host at least one event next season. A handful of the group will be heading to their place for a day in the spring to help them build tables for the event. We've done this a few times already.
Perhaps you would consider starting a league with preferred players from your current pool.
Feel free to check out our league blog here.
We have a great group. We're up to 5 hosts this season. The hosts always provide dinner (usually pizza), soda and water for the events they host. Our events are strictly BYOB.
A handful of the group tip the host. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less. But it is never expected.
After our tourneys consolidate to one table, a cash game almost always fires up on the second table. We always have a change bank on hand.
We are in our 6th season. We have picked up a new host in each of the last few seasons, (in our first season we had 3 hosts). This season, a couple who are regulars have stated they want to host at least one event next season. A handful of the group will be heading to their place for a day in the spring to help them build tables for the event. We've done this a few times already.
Perhaps you would consider starting a league with preferred players from your current pool.
Feel free to check out our league blog here.
Bummer on the douchbaggery. In this case, you need to banish Bourbon from your house. I never thought I'd say that 
Bourbon is generally my best friend.
I keep a huge Crown Royal bag with 20 pounds of quarters for those who feel the need to cash to the penny. Put me on your list, I'll come up some time.
Bourbon is generally my best friend.I keep a huge Crown Royal bag with 20 pounds of quarters for those who feel the need to cash to the penny. Put me on your list, I'll come up some time.
OP
OP
Always a double edged sword that... too firm a grip, new people get turned off for being too serious, too lose, the skilled players take advantage.
As to my control, I accidentally allowed a player to play that was unvetted (already explained). Yes, but prior to that, I sent out via FB a solid list of rules, I posted these rules on each table of the event, and communicated directly with AH about my expectations prior the event. I then made pre-game announcements about a number of the rules.
I've talked to people who attended the event, and I received a ton of thank you's, and 'had a great time' messages. Only heard minimal complaints from the lady that Bourbon was playing footsie with. It's possible others were offended, but my guess is I'm being hyper sensitive as the host. It sounds like most people had a great time. And to be honest, I did for the most part. There were a few things that made the evening less enjoyable, but overall, I had fun during the event.
At the end, being stiffed by a leach/shark who was creeping out a female guest, and knowing someone snagged a couple of my chips as souvenirs really eats at my craw.... But prior to this, I was enjoying myself (aside from a few behavioral issues from AH).
As stated, any one of these issues wouldn't ruin the night for me, but the totality was cumulative.
OP
OP
I had a guy drive 3 hours for the event last night... That's less than it takes for you, right?" Anytime you come up, you have use of my spare bedroom (right off the game room).
I do too, but really?
One guy (not Bourbon) cashes out for $357.75 on a $100 buyin, and he insisted on getting change to the penny? The guy was like, "Hey, I've got $2.25, you can just give me larger bills". I'm like, "NO, I can scrounge up the seven $1 bills and three quarters for you...".
Ha!
Shanghai Sparky
Pair
As someone who was fortunate to be there, I was shocked (and saddened) to read this. I was at the other table so I didn't see the prop bet or the other stuff. That isn't something I approve of.
Hosting is not an easy thing and it looks like it takes a lot of patience. You were very much under control emotionally as viewed from others; a credit to your character.
Whenever I go to any BYOB type of event, I always make sure I bring more than enough for me and others; I drink the expensive stuff, not the 30-pack garbage.
It really is a shame since the MTTD V1.0 was a great success.
OTOH: my daughter hates math, so I had to explain to her how Evelina (a math prof at Harvard for the rest of you) knocked me out of the tourney and smoked me in the cash game!
Hosting is not an easy thing and it looks like it takes a lot of patience. You were very much under control emotionally as viewed from others; a credit to your character.
Whenever I go to any BYOB type of event, I always make sure I bring more than enough for me and others; I drink the expensive stuff, not the 30-pack garbage.
It really is a shame since the MTTD V1.0 was a great success.
OTOH: my daughter hates math, so I had to explain to her how Evelina (a math prof at Harvard for the rest of you) knocked me out of the tourney and smoked me in the cash game!
Erik, you claim that you're not concerned about reimbursement for expenses, but your multiple references and comments regarding those who do not tip (for whatever reason) indicates otherwise.
Most hosts fall into one of two categories -- 1) those willing and wanting to pay for it all with no reimbursement (done because they are the host), or 2) those who don't mind hosting but would prefer to have expenses (at least partially) reimbursed. Hosts that fall into the first category NEVER complain about tips; in fact many refuse them. Hosts that fall into the second category need to set expectations on the part of the guests or risk being disappointed and/or disillusioned. There is nothing wrong or better with either type of host, merely different approaches to hosting.
I can vouch for ^this^ approach. All of our games have a 'hospitality' charge, either included in the entry fee or buy-in, or applied separately. We have a rotating host schedule, and like Mark posted, it solved everything. I had one player (very good friend) who was pretty vocal against the hospitality charge at first (10 years ago), until he married one of the other players and they started hosting themselves. Now he claims it isn't enough.
Charging for food/drink may not be legal in your area. It isn't in ours, but neither is playing poker, even among friends. If you keep your game at sane levels, nobody is likely to care.
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I fail to see how he stiffed you if there was no requirement to pay for food/drink, and tips were not expected (according to you). You will probably feel a lot better if you just let this part go......
Most hosts fall into one of two categories -- 1) those willing and wanting to pay for it all with no reimbursement (done because they are the host), or 2) those who don't mind hosting but would prefer to have expenses (at least partially) reimbursed. Hosts that fall into the first category NEVER complain about tips; in fact many refuse them. Hosts that fall into the second category need to set expectations on the part of the guests or risk being disappointed and/or disillusioned. There is nothing wrong or better with either type of host, merely different approaches to hosting.
I can vouch for ^this^ approach. All of our games have a 'hospitality' charge, either included in the entry fee or buy-in, or applied separately. We have a rotating host schedule, and like Mark posted, it solved everything. I had one player (very good friend) who was pretty vocal against the hospitality charge at first (10 years ago), until he married one of the other players and they started hosting themselves. Now he claims it isn't enough.
Charging for food/drink may not be legal in your area. It isn't in ours, but neither is playing poker, even among friends. If you keep your game at sane levels, nobody is likely to care.
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I fail to see how he stiffed you if there was no requirement to pay for food/drink, and tips were not expected (according to you). You will probably feel a lot better if you just let this part go......
OP
OP
My feelings on this confuse even me. Not sure how to convey them.. With my regular game with friends, I want to provide a spread and have never asked for anything. I'm always appreciative when/if they decide to chip in. It's never been an issue. Though food/hosting costs and poker wins/losses are two different things, if a player at my game tries to contribute, I often refuse if they're stuck.
I've had players who attended Saturday, subsequently offer up to contribute, and I've refused. For one, they were down for the night, and two, the fact they cared to offer means more than the money... They are friends. I have no problem buying a friend a beer or two.
The people who treat my house like a casino, and are just looking for fish to fry, rather than to spend a good time with friends... those are the people I have no interest in feeding. Bourbon just finished up a $220 buyin tournament prior to coming to my place. I heard he didn't cash, and was looking for some action to get unstuck, AH lead him straight to my doorstep..
This is also true in our area. Not legal. I'm not sure if I care to charge a fee though. I'd rather just reduce the spread I provide, or let others bring snacks if they want to share.
This is kinda new to me. As stated, I'm hosting more than ever now, and my player pool is morphing/evolving. I'm getting some really great people to my game, and in this rare occasion some not so great people. Most of the people that have come contribute, or bring something to share. It's a community effort. I'm providing the venue, the chips, table, a few snacks/beverages, organizing the event, and the guests are asked to bring a beverage or snack to share.
Bourbon didn't bring anything to the event to share, and I would consider him a leech. The amount he cashed for shouldn't make a difference, but it kinda makes him a bit more douchey IMHO... (totality of the circumstances and all)
My solution to feel better, is to avoid people like this in the future. Like Links suggested, smaller games (except the MTTD), and back to much more selective invites. I'll be much happier.
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CdnBeerLover
Full House
When we host in our league, the participants know it's BYOB and food. There's no expectation that the hosts bear that cost, and usually most people bring enough to share. So we have no expectation of tips or remuneration for anything.
As far as the other shenanigans...
- Prop-bet against me? Go for it...it'll be like throwing gas on a fire as far as my motivation goes for the next game.
- Act like an ass-hat? Expect not to get an invite back.
- Steal my property? Don't ever darken my doorstep again.
As far as the other shenanigans...
- Prop-bet against me? Go for it...it'll be like throwing gas on a fire as far as my motivation goes for the next game.
- Act like an ass-hat? Expect not to get an invite back.
- Steal my property? Don't ever darken my doorstep again.
OP
OP
She is quite the character... Her game has REALLY improved of late. She took second in the tournament, and did really well at the cash tables. I don't think many people knew her background, but her brain is insane! She can calculate odds of particular hands in seconds, but granted, this was highly annoying last night, because she was calculating the odds of every conceivable hand possibility at every street, and I felt like calling clock on her almost every hand, lol... Great at numbers, but not so much at reading people...
Officially, she teaches "applied mathematics" and "astrophysics" at Harvard. I fully imagine her walls have crayon marked equations written floor to ceiling (ala "A Beautiful Mind").
It was awesome having you over to play! You'll have to get to one of my next games, where it will be douchebag free!
Junior24xx
Straight
First of all your home games sound amazing. Secondly, sounds like bourbon is a no invite next time. third, it's just common sense to not show up empty handed or to at least tip.But some people are just jerks. Screw em, if you invite me I promise to tip and bring something lol
Mr Tree
Straight Flush
It's pretty simple to me.
You disrespect me, my house, my game, or (most importantly) my family and your ass is out. Do not pass go do not collect $200. I wasn't there but the blatant disregard for your authority when you told him to stop knocking over the stacks would have tilted me.
You disrespect me, my house, my game, or (most importantly) my family and your ass is out. Do not pass go do not collect $200. I wasn't there but the blatant disregard for your authority when you told him to stop knocking over the stacks would have tilted me.
acl1904
Straight
I have hosted (and continue to host) for many years and I agree with Mr.Trees' post. I would also talk to your buddy and just let him know about his shenanigans that night wasn't cool. I have a few buddies that like to launch chips into the pot which I have to remind not to do almost once a night whenever I host. I'll talk to them first instead of harboring feelings towards them.
Mental Nomad
Full House
Having hosted many games, I think I know what you mean. How's this:
You're not concerned about the expenses; you're happy to host. However, small tips - which cannot possibly add up to the expenses - are appreciated because they show appreciation.
Conversely, insisting on being paid out to the penny implies the guest is willing to put you through annoyance over petty sums, which seems ungrateful in context of the expenses.
As a host, you want to feel enjoyed, not taken advantage of.
We've always done BYOB and snacks. I make that expectation clear in every invitation. We do sometimes provide punch and perhaps a snack, but it's rare (2-3x per year).
Most people would meet the expectations you have if they want to be invited back. I hate there being expectations and having no idea what they are. Expectations MUST be communicated, or there cannot be any real logical explanation for being disappointed. They didn't know the expectations and failed to meet them. That's really a communication problem.
I have for years provided some or even all of the equipment for many games I play in. Some games have no formal expectation, especially for first timers. By formal expectation, I mean regulars are supposed to bring something from time to time. I'm happy to help on that too. Sometimes I've provided things for hosts like giving them a deck of cards, a timer, or a table topper. I recognize that those are hidden costs of hosting and try to help. I'll talk to other players and suggest we take up donations from time to time to replace cards and that kind of thing. Once we bought the host a small fridge to put poker drinks in when we came to their house. I thought that was nice.
I almost always take my own drinks. I don't want the host to feel obligated to get "my" drinks and have them available. Some might be happy to do that, but I don't expect it. I also take a vitamin drink in my pouch, and I know they aren't going to have that.
Two years ago, I went to a club concept. People pay $10 annually. The $10 goes for things like cards, and our "bracelets" and "annual awards" (which are about $12 each, and we give away 17 per year. In exchange for the membership, members get 2/3 more chips in each tournament and are eligible to participate in our annual Main Event. Really good cards DO wear out, so they have to be replaced from time to time, and someone has to bear that cost. I think the cost should be borne by those playing, not the host. Hosts already have wear and tear on their home and permanent equipment (table, chairs, chips, etc.), plus extra costs like extra electricity, water, soap, towels, etc. They also have the inconvenience of perhaps moving furniture around and disrupting schedules of other people in the house.
I've talked to other players in other games (where I'm not hosting) about the players trying to cover the costs and even talking about what those costs are. It's surprising how many people have never really thought about it. It's nice if everyone contributes something. I have players who bring snacks and/or drinks every time, some sometimes, and some probably never, but I don't notice because I don't expect them to bring stuff.
I'm saying all this because I have communicated all of this to players. Make sure you don't have uncommunicated expectations. I might be good at reading players, but I'm terrible at reading minds.
Having said all of the above, sometimes guests are just plain bad. I had one guest who came drunk, suffered from OPS (Offensive Personality Syndrome), was abusive to other players, and even rude my own family. I didn't know about any of that until after he left, but I removed him -- in writing! That was almost two years ago, and honestly we've not had a problem since. People being people, they are going to have clashes from time to time, and not every player likes every other player. But players are at least courteous to each other. If I had a player who was disruptive like the one I had, I'd take decisive action. If you have someone you just really don't like having there, that's a different matter, but you can decide not to invite them back. You have that right.
Most people would meet the expectations you have if they want to be invited back. I hate there being expectations and having no idea what they are. Expectations MUST be communicated, or there cannot be any real logical explanation for being disappointed. They didn't know the expectations and failed to meet them. That's really a communication problem.
I have for years provided some or even all of the equipment for many games I play in. Some games have no formal expectation, especially for first timers. By formal expectation, I mean regulars are supposed to bring something from time to time. I'm happy to help on that too. Sometimes I've provided things for hosts like giving them a deck of cards, a timer, or a table topper. I recognize that those are hidden costs of hosting and try to help. I'll talk to other players and suggest we take up donations from time to time to replace cards and that kind of thing. Once we bought the host a small fridge to put poker drinks in when we came to their house. I thought that was nice.
I almost always take my own drinks. I don't want the host to feel obligated to get "my" drinks and have them available. Some might be happy to do that, but I don't expect it. I also take a vitamin drink in my pouch, and I know they aren't going to have that.
Two years ago, I went to a club concept. People pay $10 annually. The $10 goes for things like cards, and our "bracelets" and "annual awards" (which are about $12 each, and we give away 17 per year. In exchange for the membership, members get 2/3 more chips in each tournament and are eligible to participate in our annual Main Event. Really good cards DO wear out, so they have to be replaced from time to time, and someone has to bear that cost. I think the cost should be borne by those playing, not the host. Hosts already have wear and tear on their home and permanent equipment (table, chairs, chips, etc.), plus extra costs like extra electricity, water, soap, towels, etc. They also have the inconvenience of perhaps moving furniture around and disrupting schedules of other people in the house.
I've talked to other players in other games (where I'm not hosting) about the players trying to cover the costs and even talking about what those costs are. It's surprising how many people have never really thought about it. It's nice if everyone contributes something. I have players who bring snacks and/or drinks every time, some sometimes, and some probably never, but I don't notice because I don't expect them to bring stuff.
I'm saying all this because I have communicated all of this to players. Make sure you don't have uncommunicated expectations. I might be good at reading players, but I'm terrible at reading minds.
Having said all of the above, sometimes guests are just plain bad. I had one guest who came drunk, suffered from OPS (Offensive Personality Syndrome), was abusive to other players, and even rude my own family. I didn't know about any of that until after he left, but I removed him -- in writing! That was almost two years ago, and honestly we've not had a problem since. People being people, they are going to have clashes from time to time, and not every player likes every other player. But players are at least courteous to each other. If I had a player who was disruptive like the one I had, I'd take decisive action. If you have someone you just really don't like having there, that's a different matter, but you can decide not to invite them back. You have that right.
OP
OP
Which was his intention...Knowing that was his intention to tilt me some was even more frustrating, knowing that he had a bounty-prop bet on my head, and that he'd been offering me encouragement and advice the previous day... Kinda made me feel like a schmuck, that his encouragement was not very genuine...
Yes, this! ^^^^^
When I go to a home game (and sometimes even bar games), I almost always bring the host some sort of poker favor, a deck of cards, an extra $1 Vegas Paulson casino chip (from duplicates I own), etc... That's in addition to giving something for food/beverages. I've been to games where I've donated all my money on the table, with nothing left to ship the host, which is why I like to bring a gift at the onset.
Mr Tree
Straight Flush
I don't mean it would tilt me as to putting more chips in a pot. I mean it would have tilted me into tossing his ass onto the street.
Hypothetical,
Me "please stop knocking his stack over. Players shouldn't touch each other's stacks and its delaying the game."
Him, "or what?"
Me "or get into your damned car and don't bother ever coming back."
Hypothetical,
Me "please stop knocking his stack over. Players shouldn't touch each other's stacks and its delaying the game."
Him, "or what?"
Me "or get into your damned car and don't bother ever coming back."
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
I thought pretty much the same thing.
Me "please stop knocking his stack over. Players shouldn't touch each other's stacks and its delaying the game."
Him, "or what?"
Me "2 choices. A) you can cash out and leave."
Him "and B?"
"You can just leave"
Mr Tree
Straight Flush
Seriously. And in general I feel I am a VERY accommodating host. My main concern is always that my players are having a good time. But I think the number one thing you can do to piss me off is to disrespect the game/my house/my authority in said house. Do that and we aren't talking warnings, we are talking about its time for you to head out.
ChipEnvy
Full House
I have a few extra Benny's $1's. How many went missing? PM me your address.
bergs
Royal Flush
I can't imagine someone playing poker for more than $20 and wanting to get cashed out to the quarter. It's a quarter - it's not even good for bubblegum anymore. Wow.
If you're going to host, you sorta have to be comfortable with spending whatever you want to spend on the game and assume you get nothing in return. I'm pumped when someone floats me a couple bucks at cash out for beer and food but I never, ever expect it - even if they won a couple thousand. It's their money, they earned it, and they can do whatever they want with it. I think the only time I try to recoup some costs is when we get BBQ catered and that's only because it's several hundred bucks. All that said, our player pool up here in the NE is great and we're truly lucky to have these friends to play with.
The PLO guy sounds like a prick, so he's obviously 86'd, but I have no problem with highly skilled players coming over to play with us if they good people and add something to the social aspect of the game. I think all of us have gotten better at poker because we play with highly skilled players.
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Also, you might be a little overly sensitive to the bounty thing. We do this from time to time and it's just a friendly ball-busting (particularly at $10). That said, if you know about it, it can work to your advantage sometimes when people give you action that they wouldn't normally give in the context of a particular hand.
If you're going to host, you sorta have to be comfortable with spending whatever you want to spend on the game and assume you get nothing in return. I'm pumped when someone floats me a couple bucks at cash out for beer and food but I never, ever expect it - even if they won a couple thousand. It's their money, they earned it, and they can do whatever they want with it. I think the only time I try to recoup some costs is when we get BBQ catered and that's only because it's several hundred bucks. All that said, our player pool up here in the NE is great and we're truly lucky to have these friends to play with.
The PLO guy sounds like a prick, so he's obviously 86'd, but I have no problem with highly skilled players coming over to play with us if they good people and add something to the social aspect of the game. I think all of us have gotten better at poker because we play with highly skilled players.
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Also, you might be a little overly sensitive to the bounty thing. We do this from time to time and it's just a friendly ball-busting (particularly at $10). That said, if you know about it, it can work to your advantage sometimes when people give you action that they wouldn't normally give in the context of a particular hand.
DrStrange
4 of a Kind
I would be pretty angry too.
Missing chips? Are you kidding?!? That is an unpardonable sin, beyond weakening the set it would make me worry that other things in the house might go missing or the bank come up short.
The regular who invited the ringer needs a KITN. Bad for the game and bad for the regular's standing in the group. Not only a ringer, but a bad - stupid one because he found a way to get banned after one visit.
I am happy to host. The players are our guests and we are going to treat them well. It helps that I win a little more than I lose. That being said there is an unspoken agreement about the players contributing something - bring drinks or snacks, toss a few dollars in the pot, even just say thank you. (best ever - the guys pooled their money and sent my wife a $100 gift card from the kitchen gadget store for all the nice meals she has made us. It wasn't the money, it was the big group thank you) More over, the winning players have a self interest in keeping a host happy. More so if the host is losing AND incurring the cost of hosting.
The prop bet wouldn't bother me, but the collusion is not appropriate to keep secret. I would request such side deals be made public since they will generally affect the game.
Changing the game in the middle of a session can go horribly wrong. Going to a game like PLO from hold'em is asking for trouble - the weak players are going to get slaughtered. The idea a new player would start this burns me up. I would offer one polite "no", a second not so polite "no" and then an invitation to cash out now while you still can. I hope you don't have troubles later on over this.
All in all it sounds like a rough night. And you got homework too, problems to patch over and a couple of players who need a little coaching about what not to do.
Still, you got to play with your nifty chips, in your home with your friends {mostly}. I was glad to see you didn't let the bad parts overshadow the good.
One of those nights -=- DrStrange
Missing chips? Are you kidding?!? That is an unpardonable sin, beyond weakening the set it would make me worry that other things in the house might go missing or the bank come up short.
The regular who invited the ringer needs a KITN. Bad for the game and bad for the regular's standing in the group. Not only a ringer, but a bad - stupid one because he found a way to get banned after one visit.
I am happy to host. The players are our guests and we are going to treat them well. It helps that I win a little more than I lose. That being said there is an unspoken agreement about the players contributing something - bring drinks or snacks, toss a few dollars in the pot, even just say thank you. (best ever - the guys pooled their money and sent my wife a $100 gift card from the kitchen gadget store for all the nice meals she has made us. It wasn't the money, it was the big group thank you) More over, the winning players have a self interest in keeping a host happy. More so if the host is losing AND incurring the cost of hosting.
The prop bet wouldn't bother me, but the collusion is not appropriate to keep secret. I would request such side deals be made public since they will generally affect the game.
Changing the game in the middle of a session can go horribly wrong. Going to a game like PLO from hold'em is asking for trouble - the weak players are going to get slaughtered. The idea a new player would start this burns me up. I would offer one polite "no", a second not so polite "no" and then an invitation to cash out now while you still can. I hope you don't have troubles later on over this.
All in all it sounds like a rough night. And you got homework too, problems to patch over and a couple of players who need a little coaching about what not to do.
Still, you got to play with your nifty chips, in your home with your friends {mostly}. I was glad to see you didn't let the bad parts overshadow the good.
One of those nights -=- DrStrange
OP
OP
Nice post Doc!
I think you nailed a couple points.
The prop bet wasn't horrible in itself. Except that it was secret, and the way they paid off (ala Trading Places) to make it more poignant. These guys were sitting on either side of me, and though they've never done anything shady in my house (again, the've been my poker confidants), the potential for collusion or altered play (with action only known to them) was definitely not very kosher IMHO. We are often prop betting with each other over radio station play lists, or some-such.
The ringer (bourbon) is not getting an invite back.
The AH who invited him AND knocked over chips AND snuck in a double max allowable cash buyin AND secretly prob bet against me (is also not getting invited again). He was already on probation (this was his first invite back in over a year). I think he's 86'd. It's just not worth the trouble.
Additionally, I remembered that earlier on in the tournament, Bourbon had inquired about my WiFi password, so he and others could surf the internet during the tournament. I don't typically share this with random people I've just met. I don't even share it with my kids. One, my current wifi password is set to a variant of all my other passwords (which I keep close to my chest), and secondly, maybe I'm old school, but I didn't get WiFi so people I don't know could surf the net while at my house.
Truthfully, I didn't know the variant password off the top of my head. I'd have had to go rummage my office for the exact password (as I was not going to start spouting off variations of it to "try"). I was in the middle of playing (and running) a tournament, so I politely declined (for the reasons I stated, because I didn't have the exact password handy).
That said, I know that during the MTTD, I freely gave out the old WiFi password to attendees so people could blog, etc... Didn't bat an eyelash over it. I had no problem giving it out then. I also know that when I've gone to people's homes for special events (like the WCB), I've utilized their WiFi (but I'm not a sketchy individual, ha!!). So maybe I need to consider lightening up about this, ha!
I'm not uber networking savvy, but I think my router allows me to create a "guest" password I can give out to folks visiting for special events, etc...
Yup, Doc, you're last thoughts were spot on. Not a perfect night, but I got to play with nice chips/cards, etc... and thought there were some aspects that sucked, the good outweighs the bad. Most importantly, the majority of my guests didn't notice any major issues, so they had a great time (mission accomplished).
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Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
My wifi also came with a "guest" password. Its something simple, but it prevents someone from browsing my computer files which are open and accessible if you get on the wifi. Sometimes the guest wifi does not work (though I dont know why), in which case there are no passwords given out.
Giving out my wifi password is like asking where I keep my cash or asking the combination to my safe.
Giving out my wifi password is like asking where I keep my cash or asking the combination to my safe.
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