Ways to handle cash in your home game (1 Viewer)

[binisha]

Since I work with a play with a bunch of software engineers we had considered making a central paypal/venmo/google pay account that handled all pay outs and such but were concerned that things could look a little sketchy when we have a bunch of $20 payments into the account and then money out. Probably an over paranoid thought but I guess it is our job to find all the flaws with any software we would build.

 

[APatHand]

Since I work with a play with a bunch of software engineers we had considered making a central paypal/venmo/google pay account that handled all pay outs and such but were concerned that things could look a little sketchy when we have a bunch of $20 payments into the account and then money out. Probably an over paranoid thought but I guess it is our job to find all the flaws with any software we would build.

I think that is a good thing to be paranoid about. No one like having their home game SWATted at the behest of an overzealous (and looking to be (re)elected) local junior prosecutor.
I have long contended that the best time for a game to get busted is in the months leading up to an election.
Nothing says 'I'm tough as hell on crime' then busting a bunch of pensioners playing $2/$4 limit poker by using tens of thousands of tax payer dollars.

 

[tabletalker7]

Since I work with a play with a bunch of software engineers we had considered making a central paypal/venmo/google pay account that handled all pay outs and such but were concerned that things could look a little sketchy when we have a bunch of $20 payments into the account and then money out. Probably an over paranoid thought but I guess it is our job to find all the flaws with any software we would build.

I don't think the software is the inherit problem, the problem with running several transactions either big or small is the fact that a bank somewhere has to physically run those transactions. I may be old school, but cash is still king. No bank thinks anything when a small handful of people hit an ATM to get some cash. Loads of electronic transactions all going to one place on a repeated schedule, especially between $20 and $100, sounds more like a narco operation on the ground, and a bank may get nervous.

 

[binisha]

I don't think the software is the inherit problem, the problem with running several transactions either big or small is the fact that a bank somewhere has to physically run those transactions. I may be old school, but cash is still king. No bank thinks anything when a small handful of people hit an ATM to get some cash. Loads of electronic transactions all going to one place on a repeated schedule, especially between $20 and $100, sounds more like a narco operation on the ground, and a bank may get nervous.

Yup, the banks/IRS were really the concern for us. Building the software to track buy ins/outs and integrate with PP/Venmo/GP is trivial.

 

[Eriks]

Use an app called swish which is a collaboration between basically all swedish banks that allow for instant transfers between bankaccounts using only each other’s cell phone numbers. Players ”swish” their buy-in amount and add-ons and I swish back at cash out.

Sweden got new bills and coins a couple of years back, barely know what they look like. Feel like I’m in a foreign country whenever I get in contact with our cash.

Only downside is when one gets used to being able to pay electronically everywhere is when travelling and keep forgetting to have cash at hand.

 

[APatHand]

Two rules have always served me well:

1. Always carry cash
2. Always have enough gold to bride the guards at the border.

 

[Eriks]

Seems reasonable

 

[pltrgyst]

View attachment 311225

Does that hat say "BGinGA"?

 

[Rhodeman77]

Does that hat say "BGinGA"?

Lol that would be awesome if it did!

 

[Mr Winberg]

Does that hat say "BGinGA"?

Lol that would be awesome if it did!

Group buy!

 

[tabletalker7]

No such thing as overboard! I bet that looks cool as hell!!! You have pics?

Sorry for the crappy pics but my phone is not noted for great pics.

 

[Al Azouri]

Not yet - I got it hooked up to my computer tower currently so I could sort out the software difficulties before I go live with it. The touch screen windows machine shows up Thursday. If people ask for it, I can make a new thread showing step by step how I did this over the weekend. It will really help with tracking as far as what players to invite and what food items are better for the limited hot dog roller space I have

I would love to hear more about this!

 

[tabletalker7]

I would love to hear more about this!

The drawer is on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQL11BI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You need an adapter for the register since these things are made to be opened by a receipt printer and we don't want a paper trail here - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OM9ML2K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got a cheap windows 2 in 1 laptop but any old pc or laptop will run it (perfect use for the laptop you just replaced because it was too old).
The software is called UniCenta. It is free and open source. The hardest thing of the whole process for me was waiting a month for the adapter to get here from China.

 

[Prime37]

I know this is an "accepted" practice, but if you did not announce the round-down at buy-in, you were in the wrong. If you announce it, it becomes a known rake. If you surprise them at the end of the night, it's a mystery rake. Nobody should be bothered, but dotting your "i"s and crossing your "t"s is the difference between a good and a great game.

You wouldn't allow him a free pass on posting a Big Blind, so why shouldn't he expect to get it back?

That's good to know. Last game I wind up paying a bunch of people using e-transfer, but that made the process complicated. Announcing a round-down in event details will resolve this. Thanks!

 

[moot]

I just use an actual casino cash box! Think I got mine for 20-30$ from spinetties or some other site. I'm going to try to cut a slot in and attach it to my table one day.

 

[Legend5555]

Chips and cash are stored in a separate, nearby room. Cash is kept in a combination lock cash till. I keep a certain level of change in the till.

All buyins are kept in a separate spot of the till. And I track everyone's buyins on my phone with a total. Upon any cashout, I check the total and make change from the change pool as necessary, always keeping the change and buyins separate.

It means I play less hands as the host, but it's better than coming up short at the end of the night.

 

[Al Azouri]

I just use an actual casino cash box! Think I got mine for 20-30$ from spinetties or some other site. I'm going to try to cut a slot in and attach it to my table one day. View attachment 359459

I had something like that in my old table. I miss not having it. Unfortunately I can’t add it to my new table because the chip drawer gets in the way.

 

[Al Azouri]

I used to carry plenty of small bills to handle cashing out odd chips, but what I found was that most players were happy to donate their odd chips to the host. I always supply water bottles and snacks, so it works out and no one feels badly.

Those who care about cashing out for the right amount can be responsible for bringing their own change.

That being said, I just had a thought on how to handle odd chips. What if you were to race them off the same way it is done when coloring up in a tournament. It could be done by dealing an open hand to each odd chip. Winner takes all. Thoughts?

 

[Poker Zombie]

I have offered racing off chips, but in the end, nobody cared. They were happy to leave without their fracs.

 

[jamesd57]

As others on here have said,
I use venmo.
Honestly its really simple and easy, and makes cashing out at the end of the night much easier