How To Handle 11 Person Turnout (1 Viewer)

[tripleflatbarrel]

So it looks like I have 11 confirmed for tonight's cash game....

For a few days it was going to be 14, great, two tables of 7.

I can't decide if I should break out the 2nd table to play 5 and 6 handed til someone leaves or not. I already rearrange my living room (giant sectional, coffee table etc) to accommodate the main table. Getting room for the second table requires rearranging my dining room/ entry way. Ugh.

So I'm thinking about starting the table 11 handed. It will be tight but I think do able. I'm thinking of just having the button not deal themselves in each hand. So 11 at table playing 10 handed. Anybody tried anything like this?

 

[manamongkids]

Play 1 table, IF it gets to 11, then switch out and play 5 or 6 handed. But dont panic until that time comes. Always a possibility someone doesnt show or you might even get a last minute person to show up.

 

[bentax1978]

We used to run into this at least a few times a year. We would (almost always) just use one table. Frequently someone would show up a little late, someone might bust out early, so when all was said and done, you might not have a lot of actually playing time where there are 11 people playing. And even if you do, I never found it to be a major issue.

I will say that I never thought about having the button deal and not play. It's an interesting idea. We usually had a dedicated dealer (who also played), so perhaps that's why it never occurred to me. That said, I don't think it's a bad idea if you'd prefer not to actually play 11-handed. I'd be curious what others think.

 

[courage]

Yeah, 11 is the nasty number. What games, NLHE only?

I usually run 11 and then split at 12. Having the dealer sit out is good, but even at my weekly game with a dealer I keep it at 11 until #12 shows. A lot depends on if other players are gonna show. It sucks to split to 6/5 then listen to people whine about playing short-handed when you're not sure if players are on the way. Some like the short-handed game, some don't.

 

[tripleflatbarrel]

Yeah, I think it could work out pretty well. The dealer is never in the hand so is 100% focused on dealing duties.

You also dont have to worry about your precious "button" time being spent with one eye towards dealing.

 

[tripleflatbarrel]

Yeah, 11 is the nasty number. What games, NLHE only?

I usually run 11 and then split at 12. Having the dealer sit out is good, but even at my weekly game with a dealer I keep it at 11 until #12 shows. A lot depends on if other players are gonna show. It sucks to split to 6/5 then listen to people whine about playing short-handed when you're not sure if players are on the way. Some like the short-handed game, some don't.

NLHE only

 

[gopherblue]

I say split into two tables and play crazee sooper-dooper NH/MA circus games until confirmed busto.

 

[tripleflatbarrel]

I say split into two tables and play crazee sooper-dooper NH/MA circus games until confirmed busto.

Lol.

I busted out Razz in the one round of dealers choice I've gotten my table to agree to. I'll never hear the end of that and that was just RAZZ. You guys up in the NE play some crazy stuff I've noticed that on here.

 

[DrStrange]

My main table is a little over sized just for this situation. We play 11 at one table. The game is slow and noisy, but far more sociable than two tables, Plus the weaker players feel better, even if they still are likely to lose a buck or two.

One table of 11 works better with a lot of 400 - 500 chip chip sets. If you only have 100 of the blind chip, it gets a little tight on two tables.

DrStrange

 

[Trihonda]

I'd go with one table. The OP indicating the hassle of rearranging everything for a second table, and if you did two tables, and only ten show, then you'll kick yourself. If you do one table and 11 show, you can deal with it.

If HLHE only, no reason to have the dealer sit out, unless you really want them to? I personally wouldn't want to sit out every 11th hand, wanting to be as much a part of the degen action as possible.

 

[detroitdad]

I don't like it. I've done one 11 player table a few times. Hopefully it doesn't stay at 11 for to long.

B

 

[Trihonda]

I don't like it. I've done one 11 player table a few times. Hopefully it doesn't stay at 11 for to long.

B

Ya, I hate a crowded table, but for the OP to spread two tables (and rearrange everything) just for one extra seat (that might not stay filled), it's the lesser of two evils IMHO.

 

[detroitdad]

Ya, I hate a crowded table, but for the OP to spread two tables (and rearrange everything) just for one extra seat (that might not stay filled), it's the lesser of two evils IMHO.

I agree. Some people hate playing 5 handed as much as they would 11 handed.

 

[pltrgyst]

I've played 11-handed for the start of a tourney at Binions, and 11 with the player to dealer's right sitting out (while making the next deck, since I deal the game). Both work fine for Hold'em, IMO.

 

[tripleflatbarrel]

Ended up with 12 for the first couple of hours.

Broke it down to 2 tables; 4 of the more casual players just bought in 20 and played on one table. The other 8 of us played on the other table for our normal stakes.

Ended up working out perfectly; the fish got a few hours of play out of their 20 bucks, and a couple of them joined the big table once we got down to 10.

 

[bivey]

We play two short handed tables. Good practice I say.

 

[ChaosRock]

I prefer to do 5 and 6 personally...

More and more I believe 10 players is already too many for a table... Many casinos already have only 9 max for cash games AND tourneys...

In a perfect world for me all games would be 8 max... More action, more room, more socializing, faster, etc...

 

[grandgnu]

I prefer the single table option, but I only host one table. That ensures that everyone gets to see and interact with everyone else. Always hated when I go to a game and I don't get to meet or interact with half the people because they're at another table.

 

[TexRex]

I've done 11 at a table only when we had 2 tables and 21 showed up. But if only 11 show up, I'm inclined to go 6/5. The game progresses faster.

In NLHE, 11 is very workable, but it affects the game in ways most people don't understand. We use two playing dealers per table, but mostly because the shape of my tables is either oval or rectangular. I have a dealer sit in the middle on each side. With them doing every other hand, it's not nearly as big a burden on either as a single dealer.

 

[spikeithard]

If I got 11 I would sit out to make 10 until someone busts then I play. If not have the 11th person sit on wait list until 1 busts or you get enough for 2 tables.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I know our crowd is not the typical crowd, but 11 handed NLHE sounds like a horrible way to spend an evening to me.

I prefer 7 max mixed games anyway, so my suggestion would be the same as gopher, 5/6 handed mixed games. This clearly isn't gonna work for you, but maybe you have some adventurous players who would do a 5 handed mixed game, and then do a 6 handed NLHE game. Might be a good way to start getting more adventurous poker into the mix.

 

[Mental Nomad]

I don't like "dealer out..." If playing HE, there's no problem with dealing 11 in. The real problem is fitting 11 at the table, and "dealer out" doesn't address that.

If everyone can fit, I'd rather play them all.

If not, I like the "bust out gets up" rule, and the new player buys in. Repeat as necessary.

Deciding when to split the table is another matter - but, as mentioned, offering two games and/or stakes usually lets people quickly self-select the table they want to play at.