1) Jack Effel (TD for the WSOP) has said he will not
start known couples at the same table. Most "random" seating is already designed to place couples at separate tables anyway as couples tend to buy in at very close to the same time, and tables are filled evenly. But that's tournaments, not cash games.
2) In my games ($20 tournaments), I have made it very clear that table assignments are not 100% random (though position at the table is). We have 2-3 tables each night, and there is no question as to which table is the "kiddie" table. This keeps the fish from getting blown out of the water every game. There is enough randomness that a great player may start at the kiddie table, or one of the little-leaguers will get called up to the majors (complex spreadsheet, love to show it to people, but it's done in a "Beautiful Mind" sort of thinking, so it make little sense without a guided tour or an equally deranged mind). The results: The best players don't sweep constantly - and I have interesting stats to show for that as well.
3) One tab of the spreadsheet identifies "partners". A friend inviting a friend counts as a partner, as does a married couple. Invite a 2nd or third friend, and you will all be classified as partners. The spreadsheet then analyses starting position, rebuys, and finishing positions of partners, and had identified "collusion". Collusion is in quotes, because it might not be actual collusion. Anyone that has played against Mrs. Zombie and I know that Mrs. Zombie is the better player, but heads-up, she has an extremely difficult time trying to defeat me. I taught her how to play. I know her game, her ticks, her mannerisms. I suspect other couples are quite similar, so I won't call collusion unless it is undeniable (which happened once, because they didn't know it was illegal).
4) I have lost about a half-dozen players because "the game got too serious". I find that sad, because the game ran for about 5-6 years, then I met some new players, invited them and they increased the difficulty. Mind you, there have always been a couple of great players. Some players are great, and yet, everybody loves them - so winning or losing isn't the real issue.
I know tournaments aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I've found less-skilled players prefer to not lose money on every hand. Pay your money, have a night of fun. You might cash, but probably not. The problem, is that once players drop out, you may never get them back (I haven't been able to, because the good players elevate the games of the mediocre).
I would simply stop inviting your power couple to the lesser games. In a manner of speaking, if anyone is ruining my game they won't be invited back - It really doesn't matter why, but here's a list of reasons players have been excluded from my events:
- Spilled wine on the carpet, looked down, then walked off ignoring it.
- Had to have every option spelled out to her every time the action was on her (hot, but dumb as a sack of hammers).
- Sexist and insulting
- Invited a complete stranger (he had met him at a card game the night before and then invited him into my home).
- Slept with another player's husband.
You will note, "too good" is not on the list.
