Just had my First home game on table I built (1 Viewer)

[CrunchK]

Hello fellow PCFers!

After much anticipation I finally hosted my first cash game at home. My group consisted of 8 guys, of varying experience all between 30 and 40. We played NLHE .25/.50. Game started at 6 and went until about 1130.

A few of us play recreationally at our local casino, but the game was a little slow, which is okay as my goal is to have fun and grow my poker group.

First issue I had was with the blinds, I wanted to keep them at .25/.25 but the group decided to raise them to .25/.50 which I was good with, as everyone was buying in for $40.

I tried to introduce using two decks and shuffling behind, but everyone seemed confused, so we used one deck. Over time I’d like to get into two deck use, and get our shuffling more uniform. However I was pleased to have a group play together for over 5 hours and I was not going to become a stickler for shuffling on night one.

Hands played through without any out of the ordinary issues, pizza was ordered and beers were deleted !

We had a few top off during the game and rebuy, we had about $500 in play at the end of the night. Our biggest loser was out $100 and biggest winner cashing out with $175.

All in all it was a great first night using chips I bought from discountpoker… wish I took some more pictures but the Coors lights and Dr. McGillicuddys caught up with me. Everyone is looking for the next get together. Guess free beer and pumping the pot when holding Seven deuce is the secret

Your table looks great! As far as how your game played out, I'd let it grow organically. As the weaker players get better, initiate some of those other protocols. The real question, did everyone have fun?

 

[yoke386]

CONGRATS on a successful first game!! My only recommendation to make next time even more successfull...

...

Spoiler

get rid of the bad beer and put some Fireball in that freezer.

View attachment 1191153

This made me die.

 

[Eriks]

Nice set-up!

If doing $40 max buy-ins I would’ve insisted on keeping it 25c/25c. Maybe introducing a voluntary straddle instead?

I would definitely keep trying to incorporate the two decks/shuffle behind thing. It’s sooo much better once everyone gets the hang of it.

 

[yoke386]

Your table looks great! As far as how your game played out, I'd let it grow organically. As the weaker players get better, initiate some of those other protocols. The real question, did everyone have fun?

Everyone had a good time, had two games after lot of repeat players and a couple new comers filled in. My last game at the end of June/ beginning of July I had a tough time filling up. Hoping to get the game going again the end of the month! Looking forward to start playing again

 

[yoke386]

Your table looks great! As far as how your game played out, I'd let it grow organically. As the weaker players get better, initiate some of those other protocols. The real question, did everyone have fun?

Thanks !
Everyone had a good time, had two games after lot of repeat players and a couple new comers filled in. My last game at the end of June/ beginning of July I had a tough time filling up. Hoping to get the game going again the last weekend of September! Looking forward to hosting again for sure.

 

[yoke386]

Nice set-up!

If doing $40 max buy-ins I would’ve insisted on keeping it 25c/25c. Maybe introducing a voluntary straddle instead?

I would definitely keep trying to incorporate the two decks/shuffle behind thing. It’s sooo much better once everyone gets the hang of it.

I really want to get the two decks in play. Actually I really want to splurge and get a shuffle tech, I can’t really warrant it because of how much we play (not enough) but I probably will because I think they’re cool anyways lol

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I really want to get the two decks in play. Actually I really want to splurge and get a shuffle tech, I can’t really warrant it because of how much we play (not enough) but I probably will because I think they’re cool anyways lol

So, this is kicking the hornets nest, but I recommend shuffle ahead for new players, unless you're worried about card sharks dealing off the bottom of the deck they just shuffled.

With shuffle ahead, you deal, and then you're done because the next dealer already has the next deck of cards, has shuffled them, and is ready to go.

With shuffle behind, most games I go to mess it up and start passing cards in front of the dealer when he's in the middle of dealing. Really annoying. Works well in a game with experienced shuffle behind players, but can be a nightmare for new players.

 

[yoke386]

So, this is kicking the hornets nest, but I recommend shuffle ahead for new players, unless you're worried about card sharks dealing off the bottom of the deck they just shuffled.

With shuffle ahead, you deal, and then you're done because the next dealer already has the next deck of cards, has shuffled them, and is ready to go.

With shuffle behind, most games I go to mess it up and start passing cards in front of the dealer when he's in the middle of dealing. Really annoying. Works well in a game with experienced shuffle behind players, but can be a nightmare for new players.

I agree shuffling ahead may be slower but has been easier. We’ve been using a cut card and use a non dealer to perform the cut.

 

[UncleMilty]

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Enjoyed your post. Love your table. Looks like you had a blast. No one lost their shirt, and no one went home rich. Sounds a lot like my home games. Drinks and light snacks on the house. We play $0.25/$0.25 as well. Top up to the initial buy in at anytime in between deals. My guys like using 1 deck, but I change decks on the hour, starting at 8pm. We play from 6:30-11:00 then once around the table, then cash out.
I have the ss mini fridge set in the wall protruding into the maintenance room so it takes up less space in my poker room. You can see it in the background. For the snacks, to keep them off the table, I built slide out snack trays that hold a bowl and can be slid shut with snack bowls in them.

Nice table. Where did you get the mirage felt?

 

[4SUMERZ]

Nice table. Where did you get the mirage felt?

Thanks. I used Adobe Illustrator to make the design, then had it made from a regional sublimation printer. Chanman on this forum is the go-to guy for getting custom poker table cloths made.
I will sent you a pm if you want the design in AI. It can be be resized, logos added or omitted to your taste.