Tips For Keeping Consistent Poker Nights as a Host (2 Viewers)

[pokercole]

Hey Everyone,

1st time host here. Recently started up poker nights with some good friends but finding it challenging to keep them engaged and consistent with communication and scheduling. Trying to aim for 1 night a month but seems to be hard to get at a minimum player count. Any tips you can offer to help provide more consistency within a poker group?

 

[Andrew Marks]

We use a Google Sheet to sign up. We will load the columns with potential dates and ask everyone to respond Y or N for their availability on each of the offered dates. Frankly, the best idea is to have a group of 10-12 potential players. That way even if 4 or 5 can't make it on a particular day, you still have enough for a game. Your core group may be too small to tolerate 2 or 3 people who can't attend on a given day. The other thing is to ask your group about what day/times are best and what else you can offer to get them to commit more regularly. I like to point out that all I ask people to do is to show up. I take care of food, drink, table, cards, chips, etc.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Find new and more players. Should have more success early with tournament format as well.

 

[JackJack]

That is very close to our system. I send out a Microsoft Form with dates I’m available to host the upcoming month. Everyone chooses all dates they are available. Whichever date has the most positive responses is locked in for the upcoming month.

I have a list of approximately 15 that I send this to, as those folks are the core group. They are reliable to show up if they said they are available. There is an additional list of approximately 15 that get the invite based upon the date the core group selected. This group contains players that haven’t shown reliability, or have shown interest but yet to attended.

 

[merkong]

I’ve spread a weekly game for quite some time. The key is consistency; play whether you have 5 or 10. Make sure you’re always recruiting. Slowly bring in good equipment, amenities, and food. Always hold your players accountable to show up when they say they will / stay away when sick / and support the game thru gratuities. Lead with confidence, rule with an iron fist, but always be open to input.

Getting a table together on a regular basis is easy, it’s everything else that is hard work.

Create an alternate universe that people want to exist in…

Ken (merkong) 597 Sessions Spread
Owner/Operator/Founder:
*The Godfather Club MN (The Venue)
*The Executive Game, (The Current Game)
*Frogtown Card Club, St. Paul (Retired Venue)
*The Poker Family (Our Philosophy)

The Godfather Club - Minnesota | Poker Chip

 

[Tonystark137]

@GodStillBlesses in your neck of the woods.

 

[pokercole]

I’ve spread a weekly game for quite some time. The key is consistency; play whether you have 5 or 10. Make sure you’re always recruiting. Slowly bring in good equipment, amenities, and food. Always hold your players accountable to show up when they say they will / stay away when sick / and support the game thru gratuities. Lead with confidence, rule with an iron fist, but always be open to input.

Getting a table together on a regular basis is easy, it’s everything else that is hard work.

Create an alternate universe that people want to exist in…

Ken (merkong) 597 Sessions Spread
Owner/Operator/Founder:
*The Godfather Club MN (The Venue)
*The Executive Game, (The Current Game)
*Frogtown Card Club, St. Paul (Retired Venue)
*The Poker Family (Our Philosophy)

The Godfather Club - Minnesota | Poker Chip

Wow this is well said. Already in that same mindset and I'm sure with consistency and persistance this mindset will prevail. Thank you!

 

[demonnic]

Yeah, getting a few more players is probably the best way to keep it going consistently. If you decide you wanna invite folks from the forum send me a DM, I'd be interested. But I also get if you're trying to keep it to your existing core friends group. What is the 'minimum player count' you're trying to reach? If you're trying to nail a full 10 person table every game you might try just getting used to playing 5 or 6 handed. There's lots of fun poker to be had at a 5 handed table when there's no rake coming out etc.

 

[Jimulacrum]

The key is consistency

This is it in a nutshell.

The most reliable games I've ever known were weekly games at the same time, same day of the week, same location, same game. The timing in particular helps people fit it into their schedules consistently. It's a little tougher with a monthly game, but same principle: stick with one day of the week at the same time, if possible.

 

[pokercole]

This is it in a nutshell.

The most reliable games I've ever known were weekly games at the same time, same day of the week, same location, same game. The timing in particular helps people fit it into their schedules consistently. It's a little tougher with a monthly game, but same principle: stick with one day of the week at the same time, if possible.

Thanks! probably best to do something like this (ie every third Friday of the month or something of that sort)

And for reference, I have 12 people currently on the poker list so hoping to add a few more to increase the chance of a full table every time!

 

[Jimulacrum]

Thanks! probably best to do something like this (ie every third Friday of the month or something of that sort)

And for reference, I have 12 people currently on the poker list so hoping to add a few more to increase the chance of a full table every time!

This will help. A pool of only 12 is pretty small. Also:

play whether you have 5 or 10

This is important. The times I've found it the hardest to get games together is when I was depending on people to confirm in advance (bad idea IME), taking interest lists, and generally making it seem like I was still struggling to get a game together or worrying if we had enough players. It discourages confidence, and that discourages attendance. (This probably applies to most events, not just poker nights.)

A wise man on 2+2 once said something like, "You get players to come to your game by having a game for them to come to." (@DrStrange maybe you remember and can correct my syntax.) People want to feel like they're dropping in on an existing event, not that they're being pressured to show up so that the event can happen.

 

[DrStrange]

That was so long ago . . . . But the sentiment is right on target. It isn't so easy to execute though. Starting up can be rough.

 

[pokercole]

This is important. The times I've found it the hardest to get games together is when I was depending on people to confirm in advance (bad idea IME), taking interest lists, and generally making it seem like I was still struggling to get a game together or worrying if we had enough players. It discourages confidence, and that discourages attendance. (This probably applies to most events, not just poker nights.)

A wise man on 2+2 once said something like, "You get players to come to your game by having a game for them to come to." (@DrStrange maybe you remember and can correct my syntax.) People want to feel like they're dropping in on an existing event, not that they're being pressured to show up so that the event can happen.

This

Smart to consider the mindset set around it. Confidence is a true factor for the other players in whether or not you're depending on them to even have a game to begin with. They want something reliable and fun

 

[GreatWhiteDope]

I have been running a weekly game for almost 20 years and I echo some of the sentiments above. Determine a good night for the majority of your players and keep it consistent. But I try to make it as easy as possible for people to commit to the game. So I send out a text to all the invitees every week but in a group text that sends an individual text to each guy. That way all they have to do is reply yes or no and they don't get overrun with everyone else's responses. I have about 25 guys in my group and we consistently get 18-21 players. For longevity, I agree you need to be looking for new players, but I suggest only inviting people that you or your current members think match the vibe of your group. Good luck with your game!

 

[Taghkanic]

Depending on the stakes and type of game, promotions can sometimes build interest (e.g. high hand or bad beat jackpots). You might need to juice the initial pot to get things going, then reserve out a small amount per week to build it.

Good food is a draw but is time/expense for the host.

A bigscreen TV or projector can also be a draw if you schedule around popular sporting events. (In football season, my game runs in conjunction with TNF.)

And it might seem silly, but something as basic as a free $2 scratchoff card for early arrivals/early RSVPs can weirdly be a big thing for certain types of players. Put one at each seat, they get claimed as people arrive.

Or whatever is catnip for your particular crowd.

In general, people appreciate a quality game. They want a host who is sensible and reliable and puts on a solid night of entertainment in a secure place. Good people, good music, decent chips and cards, tasty food, lighting, seating, etc. You won’t get a lot of overt compliments but people remember if the overall atmosphere is comfortable and the game is lively.

All that said… There is nothing like juicy action and a couple of whales to draw them in. The rest of the game can suck if there is real money to be made, sad to say.

 

[Taghkanic]

Ultimately it comes down to what your players enjoy. Are they there to make money? To get better at poker? To get a night off from work / the kids? To shoot the breeze with friends? Is it about the game, or is the game a pretext for a social night?

Once you know what people are looking for, you can upgrade or adapt your game to make it more appealing to your target audience.

 

[JackJack]

If your group is not very skilled and they ar emote casual, aka getting away from kids, adding a bounty is a nice way to get them splashing around. The idea of knocking someone out and getting 25% or 50% of their buy-in back creates a more lively atmosphere that will make them want to come back.

 

[TheYeti]

Make friends with someone who works at a car dealership. When I did, I immediately grew my player pool by 7-8 guys (about 25%). For some reason, car salesmen really enjoy poker.

 

[ningolfsland]

Talk to people at local games, tournaments. Invite good people and they'll know others. I think it takes a list of about 20 for consistency. Avoid tournament style on the regular night - leaves too many people out or leaving early.

 

[pokercole]

If your group is not very skilled and they ar emote casual, aka getting away from kids, adding a bounty is a nice way to get them splashing around. The idea of knocking someone out and getting 25% or 50% of their buy-in back creates a more lively atmosphere that will make them want to come back.

Very true! We talked about adding bounties to our next night so planning on that next time around

Talk to people at local games, tournaments. Invite good people and they'll know others. I think it takes a list of about 20 for consistency. Avoid tournament style on the regular night - leaves too many people out or leaving early.

20 sounds like a good number to aim for. And true, we'll stick to cash games unless we plan to host a big double table tournament every so often. Appreciate the input!

 

[Taghkanic]

Last night I “only” had seven for my cash game, with one maybe who never materialized. Would have been better with eight, but seven was very comfortable and a little more action-y. No shortage of money on the table. I’m glad I decided to go ahead with the game at seven, rather than cancel. I think there’s a lot more value in just sticking to the schedule (within reason) than people feeling like it’s erratic. And no one complained about playing seven-handed.

 

[Jimulacrum]

Last night I “only” had seven for my cash game, with one maybe who never materialized. Would have been better with eight, but seven was very comfortable and a little more action-y. No shortage of money on the table. I’m glad I decided to go ahead with the game at seven, rather than cancel. I think there’s a lot more value in just sticking to the schedule (within reason) than people feeling like it’s erratic. And no one complained about playing seven-handed.

Plus 7 players is the sweet spot where you can play 5-card Double Board Omaha.

 

[pokercole]

My plan is to set a date for everyone to plan around each month (ie every 3rd Thursday of the month) so that way they can plan around it through the weeks. And no matter if its 5 or 12 players we're still going to have a game sooo game on! My next order of business is growing my poker friend list

Need to check out my local Ford dealership.... ha

 

[Jimulacrum]

My plan is to set a date for everyone to plan around each month (ie every 3rd Thursday of the month) so that way they can plan around it through the weeks. And no matter if its 5 or 12 players we're still going to have a game sooo game on! My next order of business is growing my poker friend list

Need to check out my local Ford dealership.... ha

Sounds like a solid plan. Good luck!

 

[SetToBean]

Talk to people at local games, tournaments. Invite good people and they'll know others. I think it takes a list of about 20 for consistency. Avoid tournament style on the regular night - leaves too many people out or leaving early.

Alternatively, have alternative entertainment (and food, ofc) available for those knocked out early.

For example, I'm trying to get together a really basic setup for both classic and modern fighting games, bit of an arcade experience to give people something to do a little while longer.

 

[Taghkanic]

Talk to people at local games, tournaments. Invite good people and they'll know others. I think it takes a list of about 20 for consistency. Avoid tournament style on the regular night - leaves too many people out or leaving early.

One thing to be careful of: Some casinos get very annoyed when people use the poker room to recruit for private games. I’ve known players to get banned for it. Gotta be discreet.

 

[ningolfsland]

One thing to be careful of: Some casinos get very annoyed when people use the poker room to recruit for private games. I’ve known players to get banned for it. Gotta be discreet.

Very good point. Discretion is key, not to mention some judgement. I would not want most of the people I run into at the casino in my home!

 

[ningolfsland]

Alternatively, have alternative entertainment (and food, ofc) available for those knocked out early.

That horse racing dice game with craps odds is a great side thing. People can gamble on it, come and go at any point and it plays quite a few at a time.

 

[pokercole]

One thing to be careful of: Some casinos get very annoyed when people use the poker room to recruit for private games. I’ve known players to get banned for it. Gotta be discreet.

Thankfully being in GA don't have to worry as much about this since casinos are banned here and there is not one super close but a good point nonetheless!

 

[demonnic]

Thankfully being in GA don't have to worry as much about this since casinos are banned here and there is not one super close but a good point nonetheless!

Depending on what part of Ga/Atlanta Cherokee Valley River is ~ 2 hours drive. maybe 3 if you're on the south side. And the other Cherokee casino is an hour drive from there. Closest I know of. But I have heard about several private games while at CVR in just the last couple of months. All three or four of them were $2/5 though which is sadly above my bankroll.

I've noticed people tend to be a bit more open when at the smoking/vaping section outside than while inside the casino itself.