Hosting While Playing (1 Viewer)

[Coyote]

I have hosted, over the years, a monthly (or bi-montnly, depending on circumstances) cash game for 6-7 people, either Friday/Saturday evening (lasting till 6:00 next morning in the good old days w/o wives and kids) or Sunday early afternoon.

The standard "crew" has always been my closest friends, plus some poker-specific buddies, but always seeking new blood, since availability of players with young children is an issue.
The game has always been "friendly", with inevitably lots of coffee-housing and occasional rabbit-hunting, but I have never omitted to verbally go through all the "hard rules" about betting etc, before the start of the game, particularly when new players came, and made sure everybody understood them. Good rules make good friends.

We always set an exact time after which winning players can leave. After that time, we determine the eventual end of game, usually in terms of orbits. Losing players can leave any time, of course.
The bank, i.e. chip case, containing chips, money and note pad has always been managed by me exclusively.

Food is the host's responsibility, so I always make sure it is something tasty, yet without sauce or anything liquid, that can be eaten even standing, requiring just a fork (no fingers for apparent reasons and no knives, to have a hand free to hold the dish). Bread, several types of (rather soft) good cheese, ham, turkey, meatballs, boiled sausages, slices of boiled eggs, cucumbers, carrots and the like. Food is on the kitchen table: Absolutely no food at the dining/poker table, with the exception of peanuts, almonds or hazelnuts.

I always provide my favorite bourbon and some scotch, beer (low-alcohol lately) and soda - and ice, but people invited to homes for any reason are supposed to bring a "present" anyway, so they may bring in this case any specific beverage they also would like to have (i.e. other than the Maker's Mark which they know their host loves).

Needless to say that in Greece it's brutally offensive to offer money to the host for hosting and it's even more unthinkably despicable for the host to ASK the guests for money.
In general, I think poker is the only conceivable form of accepting money from friends, other than selling high-value items like cars, in this country

Tournaments have started becoming popular here, first among youngsters who played online, and lately among older ages too, for the simple reason that they have a maximum guaranteed loss per player, at a time when disposable income (particularly for entertainment) has shrunk. I have never hosted one (it would be single table of course) and my concern is what to do with friends who bust out, other than make the first of them the permanent physical dealer, to also speed up the game.
The idea of a consecutive cash side game is something I 'll never allow to happen for a truckload of reasons, the most obvious being that there is no second table
Another idea, which I have sometimes tried for other reasons, with mixed results as to the "allowed" duration of the game, is to invite spouses/partners too and have them eat, drink, listen to good jazz (not loud) and chat in the living room, while the game is in progress in the dining room. So, a bust-out player could join them, if prepared to indulge in gentle depilation and exfoliation talk until the second bust-out arrives in the living room to help change the topic.

 

[Polochris]

Back 15 years ago pre kids and wife I hosted a weekly game for several years with the same group so I quickly stopped serving anything. Maybe a bag of pretzels etc. These guys were more serious type cash game casino players. Nice guys but there for the game not the snacks. I had to make a rule of no eating at the table because this one dude would come with a meatball hoagie, eat at the table licking his fingers and touching my cards and chips. F that!!!

Now with wife and kids the games are once every other month (trying to fix that) and with different groups. I have a fully stocked bar with two beers on tap. People are free to grab a drink but most bring beer. Some bring snacks. For my games with my childhood friends and/or neighbors I tend to grab a tray of soft pretzels (I'm from outside Philly) and maybe order some pizzas. Those games are more about the socializing. I usually break to eat pizza as I don't like that stuff near my chips cards and table

For the guys from my old weekly cash game, I open the bar up to them and maybe a bag of pretzels but that's it. Those guys are what my wife calls my "poker friends" mentioned above and are there to get a $1/2 NL without the rake. Most bring beer and some throw me some red chips for the booze...understand that I have a significantly well stocked bar and if make a guest a cocktail it may look like this :

I love that bar man. One Day! One day

 

[SsgLaw84]

I think I have to order a hotdog roller now... can’t wait to see my wife’s reaction when that shows up in an Amazon box

 

[MrCatPants]

I ended up keeping a brat tub on the stove last time - worked out great.

 

[Jz44]

I've been hosting a game at my place for about a year and a half now. It's normally only people from my development, but occasionally someone brings a buddy or their brother over. There are about 85 houses in the neighborhood, and while we've been in our house about 3 years the last two houses closed in November so everyone is fairly new to the area. Most are in the same age group and have young kids so it ends up being a good way for the dads to get out of the house and hang out on a Saturday night.

We've got a Facebook page for the development, and I'll post a poll on there once a month then pick the Saturday that works for the most people. We've had 20-25 different guys through the game, but normally end up around 8 or 9. We've had up to 11, and I've got 12 RSVP'd for this weekend, but someone will inevitably no show. It's always been meant to be more of a get to know you game more than anything else, and my guess is only 5 of us have ever played in a casino, let alone anything close to seriously.

Because of that we keep the stakes small ($20 rebuy tournament), and the game pretty casual. I've got one of the tri-fold 10 man table toppers that goes on the dining room table with a folding 8 man as backup if I get to 2 tables, and I let people sit where they want as long as we're only at 1 table. I've got rebuy stacks counted up next to the table, but people can grab their own and the buy-ins normally end up sitting out on the island. It's BYOB so everyone brings beer, but anyone that wants liquor can raid my cabinet. I don't provide food, but occasionally one of the wives will send cookies or meatballs or some other kind of food along with their husband. We use blind valet to set the structure, so it's always a little different depending on how many show up. We start around 8 so everyone can put their kids to bed and try to schedule the tournament for 4 hours so everyone can get up on Sunday. That normally works, but one of the other "serious" guys recently moved in and the last few he and I have ended up at a casino after to play cash games.

I've had a couple guys ask about a cash game, but haven't hosted one yet. I don't think there is enough interest with this group to fill a game, and I like the neighborhood game being friendly and not letting a lot of money get involved. Plus until I have a little more space (finished basement), and win the Chanman raffle to have a real table instead of a topper I don't want to use up too many of my brownie points by hosting too many games. The goal is to get to something a little bigger and more often, but the kids will have to be a little older before that happens.

 

[Mental Nomad]

I only host cash games, because they seem so much friendlier and more casual.

I host a 25c bb game and a 50c bb game regularly, and a $1 bb game less often.

I hate the structure and formality of tournamnets - start times, "late," being forced to stay late if doing well, etc. In my cash games, people can come and go any time - including winners. This is part of why my table pretty much always gets 8 or more players; some people come early and leave early, others come later and stay later. Freedom.

 

[Old State]

I've had a couple guys ask about a cash game, but haven't hosted one yet. I don't think there is enough interest with this group to fill a game, and I like the neighborhood game being friendly and not letting a lot of money get involved.

I have multiple “games” and groups I play in and host, but the newest (almost two years I think) is the neighborhood guys. I merged that game in with my childhood friends...who like the neighbors...just really play to socialize. Luckily they are growing tired of the single table tourney and asked about cash. I changed the game to .25/.50 with $40 max buyin. WAYYYYYYYY better and perfect stakes for their comfort level. Now people can come and go as they please but most stay and the games have ended up going longer...which I like. Last one went to 3am! People only gravitate to small tourneys because they feel they are only risking a set amount. Once they get a taste of cash (as long as you keep the stakes in their comfort zone) they will be hooked. It’s so much more conducive to social poker....as it was for 150 years before 2003.

I would suggest you try to gain more interest. Maybe set the max at $30 at first. Within a few games they will probably ask to up it.(y) :thumbsup:

 

[upNdown]

I have multiple “games” and groups I play in and host, but the newest (almost two years I think) is the neighborhood guys. I merged that game in with my childhood friends...who like the neighbors...just really play to socialize. Luckily they are growing tired of the single table tourney and asked about cash. I changed the game to .25/.50 with $40 max buyin. WAYYYYYYYY better and perfect stakes for their comfort level. Now people can come and go as they please but most stay and the games have ended up going longer...which I like. Last one went to 3am! People only gravitate to small tourneys because they feel they are only risking a set amount. Once they get a taste of cash (as long as you keep the stakes in their comfort zone) they will be hooked. It’s so much more conducive to social poker....as it was for 150 years before 2003.

I would suggest you try to gain more interest. Maybe set the max at $30 at first. Within a few games they will probably ask to up it.(y) :thumbsup:

It's funny, I've only been playing cards seriously for a few years. And I don''t know if it's a regional thing or if I'm just lucky, but every home game I've been to has been a cash game (except for a couple of tournaments I've hosted.) I go to the casinos and cardrooms for tournaments because I love deep stacked MTT's, but as far as I'm concerned, a home game is a cash game. So it always gets me by surprise when people here, especially newbies, talk about their home games, and so many of them are tournaments. I know it's the whole Moneymaker effect, but it's such a pain in the ass to host a tournament, compared to a cash game - I'm surprised so many people do it.

 

[Old State]

It's funny, I've only been playing cards seriously for a few years. And I don''t know if it's a regional thing or if I'm just lucky, but every home game I've been to has been a cash game (except for a couple of tournaments I've hosted.) I go to the casinos and cardrooms for tournaments because I love deep stacked MTT's, but as far as I'm concerned, a home game is a cash game. So it always gets me by surprise when people here, especially newbies, talk about their home games, and so many of them are tournaments. I know it's the whole Moneymaker effect, but it's such a pain in the ass to host a tournament, compared to a cash game - I'm surprised so many people do it.

You are lucky

The reality is that is how many people learned poker. Most of my close friends didn’t play cards at all until maybe 7-8 years ago. Until recently that was the only type of TV poker and tourneys are what they see in bars, charity events, etc.

Again, the other motivation is limiting loses...which is dumb way to think about it. If you pay two spots in a ten handed game you have an 80% chance of losing 100% of your money.

Now my “Poker” friends will ONLY play cash unless there is a multi table tourney with a significant prize pool and the prospect of a post tourney cash game.

I know I’m in the minority, but I think Limit cash Poker was the best game for social games or regular games. We had a $2-4/$3-6 game almost every week when I was bachelor in the early 2000’s. Always had a full table sometimes two tables. Then when the AC casinos allowed NL cash that was the request. I remember saying “you dopes won’t show up every week for $1/2 NL”. They all waved me off and said they would. Well our weekly game quickly turned into a monthly game and then every few months. Yet some of them will break my balls for playing .25/.50 with the neighbors. Hell, I just want to play dammit! I get to play cards almost every week now. They play and other month or so.

 

[chipsmaster]

(I am new to the site)

I host a game - not as often as I used too because everybody has crazy schedules, but since I have the nicest table out of my friends, and always the nicest chips, I still enjoy hosting a good poker game every couple of months. When I host I go all out because I know its a treat for all the guys to just relax for a while.

I generally get a nice bottle of single malt whiskey - 18 years my favorite!, and some beers, some snacks, peanuts, pretzels, and usually will order in dinner or a sushi platter towards the middle of the game.

This is a great thread!

 

[morrotito]

Thanks! Here you go

Goals! That's an awesome setup.

 

[RichMahogany]

Back 15 years ago pre kids and wife I hosted a weekly game for several years with the same group so I quickly stopped serving anything. Maybe a bag of pretzels etc. These guys were more serious type cash game casino players. Nice guys but there for the game not the snacks. I had to make a rule of no eating at the table because this one dude would come with a meatball hoagie, eat at the table licking his fingers and touching my cards and chips. F that!!!

Now with wife and kids the games are once every other month (trying to fix that) and with different groups. I have a fully stocked bar with two beers on tap. People are free to grab a drink but most bring beer. Some bring snacks. For my games with my childhood friends and/or neighbors I tend to grab a tray of soft pretzels (I'm from outside Philly) and maybe order some pizzas. Those games are more about the socializing. I usually break to eat pizza as I don't like that stuff near my chips cards and table

For the guys from my old weekly cash game, I open the bar up to them and maybe a bag of pretzels but that's it. Those guys are what my wife calls my "poker friends" mentioned above and are there to get a $1/2 NL without the rake. Most bring beer and some throw me some red chips for the booze...understand that I have a significantly well stocked bar and if make a guest a cocktail it may look like this :

Cocktail looks great! NY sour?

 

[Old State]

Cocktail looks great! NY sour?

Yes!! Yes it is!

 

[Amarena Fabbri]

What things do you guys do to host n play simultaneously?

It's been a while since I've hosted, but in addition to making sure that I'm providing the best equipment possible (i.e. cards, chips, table, and chairs), I lay out a spread on the kitchen island with food, snacks, soft drinks, and sweets. It's far enough away from the table so that players can take a break from the game and do not bring food to the table to distract from the game. I'll usually try and get a dealer for the evening, but if not I'll deal and play. My table has a well for the chips, just like a casino, so I can have rebuys neatly ordered and quickly accessible. Good luck.

 

[longflop]

You are lucky

The reality is that is how many people learned poker. Most of my close friends didn’t play cards at all until maybe 7-8 years ago. Until recently that was the only type of TV poker and tourneys are what they see in bars, charity events, etc.

Again, the other motivation is limiting loses...which is dumb way to think about it. If you pay two spots in a ten handed game you have an 80% chance of losing 100% of your money.

Now my “Poker” friends will ONLY play cash unless there is a multi table tourney with a significant prize pool and the prospect of a post tourney cash game.

I know I’m in the minority, but I think Limit cash Poker was the best game for social games or regular games. We had a $2-4/$3-6 game almost every week when I was bachelor in the early 2000’s. Always had a full table sometimes two tables. Then when the AC casinos allowed NL cash that was the request. I remember saying “you dopes won’t show up every week for $1/2 NL”. They all waved me off and said they would. Well our weekly game quickly turned into a monthly game and then every few months. Yet some of them will break my balls for playing .25/.50 with the neighbors. Hell, I just want to play dammit! I get to play cards almost every week now. They play and other month or so.

Every time I host, I start with a tourney, the buy in is $20. I also stretch the payouts so I pay 5 places if all 18 seats are filled. I also give bounties for everyone who finished in the money for the previous tournament as well as a high hand and bad beat bonus for the night, all of which pay half a buy in. With the rebuys, it works out to where 5th makes at least his money back. I guess my point is I try to find as many ways to spread the money around as possible. My game is definitely more social, the guys see the buy in as less than the cost of going out to the bar for a night. I want to keep everybody happy, because like you said, I just love playing cards and I want to keep my game going!