Asking for one time donations... (3 Viewers)

[Venturalvn]

Sounds like you already settled on not, but another reason I would never ask - I'm the one who goes this far to host.

In most circles, all of us that would even join PCF are FREAKS. We like our cool shit, we like our cool shit to be nice, and we spend more money on our cool shit than most people would believe. Most, if not all of my circle, would just as soon play on a kitchen table with paper cards and dice chips, with a setup that is for all intents and purposes cost free. I REFUSE. Therefore, I will buy cool shit, and everyone can come play at my place - not because we wouldn't have a place to play otherwise, just because it would drive me insane.

 

[CraigT78]

FREAKS. We like our cool shit, we like our cool shit to be nice, and we spend more money on our cool shit than most people would believe.

This.

 

[EricMichael]

I know this is going to be sacrilegious, but I actually opted NOT to get a hotdog roller due to them drying out as the night goes on (which is the experience I have had at my buddy's house).

Instead, I went with a 3 section buffet server. I grill the hotdogs and burgers, add a smidge of water to the buffet server, and put the dogs and burgers in their own section of the server when they are done grilling. I typically put pulled pork into the 3rd section. They keep warm and fresh all night long.

View attachment 698794

I actually have 2 of these as well. As you can see from my pics we LOVE to host get togethers... that's a great idea too!!!

 

[Josh Kifer]

No donations for equipment generally. My crew joke that they never need to buy poker chips because I have a lot of nice ones already. Bastards.

We aren't poker room/club though and just a group of friends. We generally rotate bringing stuff though I guess I always bring something (snacks, beer, wine, liquor). Since I generally send out the coordination texts I will sometimes ask for items. For example, last time I asked someone to bring a case of bottled water since we generally drink the bottled water that the hosting house has. Ended up having 3 different people bring full cases or half cases of water. Other items we ask for are snacks and some loose coordination of alcohol.

At the end of night whoever is left helps clean up some before we load up and head home.

The poker table we play on is 13 years old and needed a new surface badly. We discussed during a game and everyone said they would be happy to chip in for materials so we did that. This is much easier and reasonable to do when your group is close friends, but with a larger group it is much more difficult to do without someone being disgruntled about it. Donations for food/drinks is pretty common though.

My table needed new felt, one of the players bought it for Christmas.

New player hated that he was late and always got a spot without a TV, he brought a TV and mount and installed it so we have multiple TVs. Another player brought all the cables and box to split the main feed.

Once ya get a good group, they will invest as much as you have.

 

[Budha]

One other hosting tip is to establish some standards regarding the type of beer that can be left in your beer fridge at the end of the night . I ended up with like a case of Coors light cans after one hosting event. (Cans mind you, cans….of Coors light, 20+ of them) You can’t give that shit away - I tried, lol.

I don’t really care what you drink - just please don’t leave piss water in my fridge

 

[toothpic]

My table needed new felt, one of the players bought it for Christmas.

New player hated that he was late and always got a spot without a TV, he brought a TV and mount and installed it so we have multiple TVs. Another player brought all the cables and box to split the main feed.

Once ya get a good group, they will invest as much as you have.

Where are you finding these guys!? My guys just bring beer and bourbon!

 

[Josh Kifer]

Where are you finding these guys!? My guys just bring beer and bourbon!

My guys go nuts.

One of them is bringing a soundboard so I can press buttons like a radio DJ and annoy players.

I'm not even kidding.

 

[Saoliver]

Honestly, what you said was dead on. I deal with all items weekly. I've never had so many people stuff beer cans into a bathroom trashcan and think it's a great idea....

I cleaned up after myself, though I did leave an upperdecker.

 

[Josh Kifer]

I cleaned up after myself, though I did leave an upperdecker.

Has your mother in law opened the glove box yet? Because, I didn't leave a glove.....

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I actually have 2 of these as well. As you can see from my pics we LOVE to host get togethers... that's a great idea too!!!

Yeah...you have one hell of setup going on!!

 

[longflop]

One other hosting tip is to establish some standards regarding the type of beer that can be left in your beer fridge at the end of the night . I ended up with like a case of Coors light cans after one hosting event. (Cans mind you, cans….of Coors light, 20+ of them) You can’t give that shit away - I tried, lol.

I don’t really care what you drink - just please don’t leave piss water in my fridge

I actually like when people leave their extras. It gets me out of my rut of buying boh's or miller lites. "Hey man, what can I bring, whats your favorite beer?" "Cold and carbonated."

 

[upNdown]

3. Smokers: be sure you have a place for them to dispose of butts. If not, they will flick them into your yard,

As a part time smoker (mostly just when I’m drinking, which means definitely when I’m playing cards) this is annoying. If I’m at somebody’s house and they don’t have a butt bucket / ashtray, I’ll bring a can outside and use that. I would never flick a butt in somebody’s yard or driveway. That’s just not classy.

 

[quintooo]

Sounds like you already settled on not, but another reason I would never ask - I'm the one who goes this far to host.

In most circles, all of us that would even join PCF are FREAKS. We like our cool shit, we like our cool shit to be nice, and we spend more money on our cool shit than most people would believe. Most, if not all of my circle, would just as soon play on a kitchen table with paper cards and dice chips, with a setup that is for all intents and purposes cost free. I REFUSE. Therefore, I will buy cool shit, and everyone can come play at my place - not because we wouldn't have a place to play otherwise, just because it would drive me insane.

This is my view on the topic. I think I've spent nearly $4000 on table, chairs, cards, chips (another $2000 very soon). This cost is my burden alone. My players would also play with $30 dice chips, bicycle paper cards, and cheap Joanne felt on kitchen table. That stuff drives me mad.

Thus, I have to spend money to keep myself from going insane. That's my own fault for being an elitist about poker gear, so I can't have my friends who don't care to "tip" me.

It's like bringing an expensive whiskey to a college party and expecting people to chip in $10 each to cover that cost. In reality, its just alcohol to them and theyre just as content drinking 20 dollar vodkas.

 

[LeLe]

The only donation I welcome are food donation; table and chip are my investments and for me to use.
I just felt weird to be owing using thing that I didn’t paid for it

 

[MeechsGame]

I am going to start up my home game -2 table 20 player cap- from SCRATCH in mid-June or the beginning of July. I will be purchasing everything for my game from the ground up. The one thing I've learned from other ventures (non-poker related) I have embarked on, is to take my time, do my research, and make the decisions that will have the biggest positive effect on whatever I'm attempting to accomplish. The decisions I make now will ultimately shape how my game runs for years to come.

Included in this process, as you all know is everything from tables, chairs, cards, and chips to the space and weather or not to have snacks and drinks. I'm leaning more towards a "Pot Luck" approach and have everyone bring something to share except alcohol; that's a BYOB scenario. Smokers and non Smokers and where to allow them to smoke at my house etc. It seen like a new factor pops up as my planning continues.

The majority of the players will consist of family, a few friends and mostly co-workers. I already have a list of 30 potential players who've been chomping at the bit to play. I'm sure some of these people will inevitably bring a player or two who I don't know, swelling that number potentially to 40 through the rotation. The majority of us are active or retired Law Enforcement and Firefighters and need that sense of camaraderie we've lost over the past few years.

With that said, for those of you who have started your own home games, did you ask for any donations from your players to recoup some of your initial investment back? I thought it might be acceptable to ask each new player for a one time donation to offset the initial investment of what looks to be upwards of $1500+.

What do you believe the pros, cons and overall ramifications are of this approach? I plan on running a tournament/cash game format and loath the idea of collecting a rake.

Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.

would you be taking rake from the game? that would be an easy way to recoup your money
Cheers!

This is my view on the topic. I think I've spent nearly $4000 on table, chairs, cards, chips (another $2000 very soon). This cost is my burden alone. My players would also play with $30 dice chips, bicycle paper cards, and cheap Joanne felt on kitchen table. That stuff drives me mad.

Thus, I have to spend money to keep myself from going insane. That's my own fault for being an elitist about poker gear, so I can't have my friends who don't care to "tip" me.

It's like bringing an expensive whiskey to a college party and expecting people to chip in $10 each to cover that cost. In reality, its just alcohol to them and theyre just as content drinking 20 dollar vodkas.

hey also looking to start something of my own can i pm you ? seems like you have a little more insight then me

 

[Dugthefish]

would you be taking rake from the game? that would be an easy way to recoup your money
Cheers!

Taking a rake moves the game out of home poker and into underground cardroom poker. An ethical issue for many here, a legal issue for most everywhere.

 

[LeLe]

would you be taking rake from the game? that would be an easy way to recoup your money

It would be an easy way to trouble town with the police and fines

 

[1pocket]

I am considering calling my hosted games a Whiskey Poker club and the buy-in to the group is a one-time, bring a bottle of whiskey. That would be to the extent of any requirement I would consider.

 

[CGolf]

I am going to start up my home game -2 table 20 player cap- from SCRATCH in mid-June or the beginning of July. I will be purchasing everything for my game from the ground up. The one thing I've learned from other ventures (non-poker related) I have embarked on, is to take my time, do my research, and make the decisions that will have the biggest positive effect on whatever I'm attempting to accomplish. The decisions I make now will ultimately shape how my game runs for years to come.

Included in this process, as you all know is everything from tables, chairs, cards, and chips to the space and weather or not to have snacks and drinks. I'm leaning more towards a "Pot Luck" approach and have everyone bring something to share except alcohol; that's a BYOB scenario. Smokers and non Smokers and where to allow them to smoke at my house etc. It seen like a new factor pops up as my planning continues.

The majority of the players will consist of family, a few friends and mostly co-workers. I already have a list of 30 potential players who've been chomping at the bit to play. I'm sure some of these people will inevitably bring a player or two who I don't know, swelling that number potentially to 40 through the rotation. The majority of us are active or retired Law Enforcement and Firefighters and need that sense of camaraderie we've lost over the past few years.

With that said, for those of you who have started your own home games, did you ask for any donations from your players to recoup some of your initial investment back? I thought it might be acceptable to ask each new player for a one time donation to offset the initial investment of what looks to be upwards of $1500+.

What do you believe the pros, cons and overall ramifications are of this approach? I plan on running a tournament/cash game format and loath the idea of collecting a rake.

Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Cheers!

Personally, I have never asked for any donations. Like you, I want to make sure that the chips, table, etc that we use is well researched and my decision. If others contributed then I feel I would have to consult them about the decisions. Not to mention what happens to all of it if the group ends up dying down. It’s a fun investment.

 

[Highli99]

One other hosting tip is to establish some standards regarding the type of beer that can be left in your beer fridge at the end of the night . I ended up with like a case of Coors light cans after one hosting event. (Cans mind you, cans….of Coors light, 20+ of them) You can’t give that shit away - I tried, lol.

I don’t really care what you drink - just please don’t leave piss water in my fridge

One player in my game leave bottles of non alcoholic beer in there. During a dark moment in Covid times it was the only thing left in the beer fridge. Poured it out rather than drink it. Even my pregnant wife wasn’t interested.

 

[detroitdad]

I am considering calling my hosted games a Whiskey Poker club and the buy-in to the group is a one-time, bring a bottle of whiskey. That would be to the extent of any requirement I would consider.

I just hosted a two day poker event. I had three bottles of bourbon donated to the cause. Four Roses Single Barrel (100 proof), Gentlemans Jack, and Evan Williams 100. They all did it just to say thanks for hosting.

I love my group!

@WedgeRock
@Marc Hedrick
STD

 

[WedgeRock]

@Marc Hedrick
STD

Sorry to hear this @Marc Hedrick... Hopefully the penicillin works!

 

[Marc Hedrick]

Sorry to hear this @Marc Hedrick... Hopefully the penicillin works!

Lol.

This made me laugh pretty good, thanks.

@detroitdad I feel like I should always bring more than I'll drink. Least I can do for being a guest in your house many hours.

Also, can't forget @K1100lt who always brings a case of beer and usually only drinks one or two.

 

[Blaster]

I know this is going to be sacrilegious, but I actually opted NOT to get a hotdog roller due to them drying out as the night goes on (which is the experience I have had at my buddy's house).

Instead, I went with a 3 section buffet server. I grill the hotdogs and burgers, add a smidge of water to the buffet server, and put the dogs and burgers in their own section of the server when they are done grilling. I typically put pulled pork into the 3rd section. They keep warm and fresh all night long.

View attachment 698794

F*ck, are you kidding me!!!
I am resisting, but I know now I will eventually end up with one of these, & there will probably also end up being a 127 page thread about them too.. !

 

[BGinGA]

We have ran a year-long rotating-host tournament series since 2005, with two tournaments and a formal dinner break in-between events on each monthly meeting date.

Initially, the applicable host would foot the entire food/drink cost for their event, but after awhile, the event venues settled down to just 2 or 3 recurring hosts (typically those with the most space, equipment, time, and desire).

Since then, we've charged a $10 hospitality fee per player which covers the available drinks, snacks, and dinner spread over the 12-hour period. Works for us.

But the cost of equipment -- tables, chairs, chips, cards, and supplies? That's on the host(s).

 

[TRAINERSTEVE]

I actually like when people leave their extras. It gets me out of my rut of buying boh's or miller lites. "Hey man, what can I bring, whats your favorite beer?" "Cold and carbonated."

I’m going to start using that haha “cold and carbonated”

 

[AuburnSeth]

One other hosting tip is to establish some standards regarding the type of beer that can be left in your beer fridge at the end of the night . I ended up with like a case of Coors light cans after one hosting event. (Cans mind you, cans….of Coors light, 20+ of them) You can’t give that shit away - I tried, lol.

I don’t really care what you drink - just please don’t leave piss water in my fridge

I bet you could sell those coors light beers at a premium now that bud light is going under. Heyoh

 

[wickedwonka121]

This is a hard lesson to accept myself, no disrespect, but the setup is yours. If the players pitch in, it's not. You don't want a community setup at your house. I have heard of tipping the host at the end of the night. Idk how this info gets around. Not sure of the forum's thoughts on tipping. But the minimal cost would be the facility costs like paper, water, lights, but that's all cheap in the end. Wear and tear on furniture or things like broken glasses happen. So I see the tip as being a recovery for such things. I was told about the tip by a friend in college. He invited me to someone else's home tourney that I ultimately won.

Those of us who are just obsessed with the setup and love the game, do it for the game. Good luck.

 

[ThrowBack]

For starters, always recommend growing into a hobby. I would do one nice table and just have a secondary back up. You may find that you don’t want that many players except for at tournaments and such. When you have 2 to 3 tables at a cash game you really go from being host and dealer to Pit Boss and casino manager.

I always go potluck BYOB for food

No, you should not ask people to kick in. If you went over to your buddies house and he had a 72 inch screen TV, the nice La-Z-Boy recliners, and had Heineken on tap and then came to you and ask for some money because it’s pretty much a sports bar, and he put a lot of money into it. You would likely say no way.

Same thing when you go to someone’s house, and they have a pool, in-home theater, bounce house, boat, basketball, hoop, or cornhole. It’s really not fair for someone to ask you to kick in for their hobby.

 

[Klobberer]

No