I've read a few posts on here recently talking about specific rulings in home games and there have been a decent amount (imho) of comments saying that they personally would make a decision that is technically against the official rules simply because it is a home game against friends. I'm curious as to people's opinions on how friendly is too friendly when it comes to playing poker against friends?
Obviously, the specific players' level of understanding of poker is something to consider. If you're playing with a bunch of noobs, then that's definitely different than playing against people who have a decent amount of experience. I would run two different games (before covid that is): one was with people who know the game and play regularly (and would be higher stakes), and one was with my close relatives who basically only play poker when I host and that's it (with much lower stakes). I'm more interested in people's opinions on the former game, as playing with a bunch of noobs, I would definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and let them take back bets if they made mistakes or stuff like that.
With my more experienced group, I'm still wanting to play with them to have fun, and that's why I choose to host. It's not like I went around and found the worst players I could find and started inviting them to all my games just to crush them. However, at the same time, it's poker and I'm very competitive and I'm playing to win. I'm not going to take it easy on them as I'm under the impression that they would be happy to take all my money also. That's the fun part for me - the competition.
So my question is, in a game with a bunch of regs that know how to play, how willing are you to "be friendly" and go against the official rules to keep the game friendly among friends? Do you allow players to take back bets or correct bets if they threw in the wrong chip, for example? Do you let a larger one chip bet stand instead of count it as a call when no verbal is declared? Is there a limit of mistakes you allow (per person? per night?) until you just can't anymore? Are there other examples of mistakes or errors that you can think of that you'd allow at least once without penalty?
Obviously, the specific players' level of understanding of poker is something to consider. If you're playing with a bunch of noobs, then that's definitely different than playing against people who have a decent amount of experience. I would run two different games (before covid that is): one was with people who know the game and play regularly (and would be higher stakes), and one was with my close relatives who basically only play poker when I host and that's it (with much lower stakes). I'm more interested in people's opinions on the former game, as playing with a bunch of noobs, I would definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and let them take back bets if they made mistakes or stuff like that.
With my more experienced group, I'm still wanting to play with them to have fun, and that's why I choose to host. It's not like I went around and found the worst players I could find and started inviting them to all my games just to crush them. However, at the same time, it's poker and I'm very competitive and I'm playing to win. I'm not going to take it easy on them as I'm under the impression that they would be happy to take all my money also. That's the fun part for me - the competition.
So my question is, in a game with a bunch of regs that know how to play, how willing are you to "be friendly" and go against the official rules to keep the game friendly among friends? Do you allow players to take back bets or correct bets if they threw in the wrong chip, for example? Do you let a larger one chip bet stand instead of count it as a call when no verbal is declared? Is there a limit of mistakes you allow (per person? per night?) until you just can't anymore? Are there other examples of mistakes or errors that you can think of that you'd allow at least once without penalty?