Hard to find players for home game..... (1 Viewer)

[LavaDawg9094]

Finding it hard during the summer and early fall to find players for a home game - especially when I am trying to pick from people I know and avoid strangers. Might have to open it up a little to see if I can get a few more people interested. Anyone else struggle with this and did you open it up a little and how successful was it?

 

[CincinattiKiddo]

I ask my trusted friends, to bring a friend. I mostly do just 1 'stranger' per game and when all goes great & he comes multiple times. I ask if he wants to be added to our group

 

[SetToBean]

I ask my trusted friends, to bring a friend. I mostly do just 1 'stranger' per game and when all goes great & he comes multiple times. I ask if he wants to be added to our group

Friends of friends is key. If a host is lucky, their interested friends will be invested enough to make just as far-reaching efforts to find players as the host did.

 

[merkong]

You’ll go thru bumps. While you’re focusing on “plus ones”, don’t lose focus on the players you have. Think about spreading food of some sort; chips, candy and beverages. You can advance it to food food later.

Play at the level and types of games your present regulars will attend.

Do cash games which can play down as low as 5 or 6 hands and don’t be afraid, profess that these smaller tables are better poker. Cash games remove the need for larger tables.

Keep your stakes low if you’re able because it is not prohibitive to new players both to your game and maybe poker in general.

Tell your regulars that they are part of the recruiting process. Bringing in players and making auditions feel welcome.

Profess a “this is our game” mentality. Create an entity out of your game. An alternate universe where attendees can come and feel at home.

It’ll all be in my upcoming e-book, “So You Want to be a Home Poker Host.”

Ken (merkong) 500+ 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)

 

[TheYeti]

The best thing to ever happen to my player pool happened about 6 months after one of my regs switched jobs and began working at a car dealership. Once he got to know a few of the guys at the dealership, my pool pretty much doubled. Those guys really seem to like poker more than the general population.

 

[maxim_666666]

You’ll go thru bumps. While you’re focusing on “plus ones”, don’t lose focus on the players you have. Think about spreading food of some sort; chips, candy and beverages. You can advance it to food food later.

Play at the level and types of games your present regulars will attend.

Do cash games which can play down as low as 5 or 6 hands and don’t be afraid, profess that these smaller tables are better poker. Cash games remove the need for larger tables.

Keep your stakes low if you’re able because it is not prohibitive to new players both to your game and maybe poker in general.

Tell your regulars that they are part of the recruiting process. Bringing in players and making auditions feel welcome.

Profess a “this is our game” mentality. Create an entity out of your game. An alternate universe where attendees can come and feel at home.

It’ll all be in my upcoming e-book, “So You Want to be a Home Poker Host.”

Ken (merkong) 500+ 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)
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I want to see good photos of this cabinet...

 

[Moxie Mike]

Finding it hard during the summer and early fall to find players for a home game - especially when I am trying to pick from people I know and avoid strangers. Might have to open it up a little to see if I can get a few more people interested. Anyone else struggle with this and did you open it up a little and how successful was it?

Summertime is a tough sell for a lot of people, especially in West MI where there's a lot of outdoor activities.

Are you a member of the West Michigan Poker FB group? That's a good place to get to know people.

I'd also suggest going to the local charity rooms and see who you can meet that might be a good fit for your group.

The way I grew my list was figuring out who the influential people are around here and letting them know what I'm looking to accomplish. There are some well connected players who should be able to give you a lead or two.

 

[DeadheadDave]

I mix it up.

Friends who play. Them bringing friends who play. Co-workers (just NOT on "Micro Dose Turbo Night" lol. And, yes... strangers.

I have met strangers here... and on a "So Cal Home Poker Games" group on FB. I chat with them online. which is helpful at finding out who you are dealing with... But, just like online dating, its the phone call where you really are able to get the info youll need before you send an address. You can pick up a decent vibe on someone over the phone... and, if you are smart, you will present your AUTHENTIC vibe over that call so your stranger (by the way... trust me, they are nervous about being a stranger too) can also receive your vibral transmissions. By the end of a reasonable phone call, you and your stranger will know what the score is. You will have some idea if they will fit, and they will have some idea if they are interested.

I dont have a huge house, or a hot dog twirler thingy. I dont supply much more than a table, cards and chips. As noted in a different thread, my players are even told to bring their own chair. But more than 99% of players I have hosted come back... many become regulars, and several have become dear friends.

 

[BottomPair7]

This, in my opinion, is the hardest thing to keep a game sustainable. My game has been running monthly for just over 3 years now. August and December have been my most difficult months to fill even with consistent regulars. There are lots of factors to consider such as what night of the week you are playing, how often, the stakes, cash or tournament, etc.

I'm not big on people that I have never met playing in my game, but I encourage players to bring friends that might be interested in playing. I work in a hospital, so I have quite a few spouses in my game too. My biggest tip is to always be recruiting and stay positive. It can be difficult after a few games of low turnout.