Hello and Player Sustainability (1 Viewer)

[pokerface]

Hi Everyone,
Just found this site a couple of hours ago and have been browsing and one post got my attention: Player Sustainability. Hope you can offer opinions on this idea.

We are a small weekly friendly group, 4-6 players. A couple of players tend to dominate (win) in dealer's choice games over the long run such that a losing player drops out, about once a year or so. We've had more than 7 players at times with one or two players rotating out each week when we have more than 7 players. Lately recruiting is difficult and we are down to four players with one being on the fence of dropping out because of long term losses. If this happens the game will stop until a fourth player can be found.

I've been thinking of how to "moderate" the game to slightly slow down the winners and give the weaker players some very slight advantage. Here is what I am thinking of suggesting and would like comments please.

We rotate the dealing and game choice and use the button ante where the dealer puts in the ante, saves time because we converse during most of the game and we don't have to stop and remind players to ante up. What if we continue rotating the dealer and game choice but have the winner of the previous pot put in the ante? This provides a very small handicap to the winner of the previous pot and should help those who are having a bad night.

I've researched the idea and cannot find any statistics on how this would affect the game so open to opinion and any other ideas to help keep players in the game.

 

[tabletalker7]

Hi Everyone,
Just found this site a couple of hours ago and have been browsing and one post got my attention: Player Sustainability. Hope you can offer opinions on this idea.

We are a small weekly friendly group, 4-6 players. A couple of players tend to dominate (win) in dealer's choice games over the long run such that a losing player drops out, about once a year or so. We've had more than 7 players at times with one or two players rotating out each week when we have more than 7 players. Lately recruiting is difficult and we are down to four players with one being on the fence of dropping out because of long term losses. If this happens the game will stop until a fourth player can be found.

I've been thinking of how to "moderate" the game to slightly slow down the winners and give the weaker players some very slight advantage. Here is what I am thinking of suggesting and would like comments please.

We rotate the dealing and game choice and use the button ante where the dealer puts in the ante, saves time because we converse during most of the game and we don't have to stop and remind players to ante up. What if we continue rotating the dealer and game choice but have the winner of the previous pot put in the ante? This provides a very small handicap to the winner of the previous pot and should help those who are having a bad night.

I've researched the idea and cannot find any statistics on how this would affect the game so open to opinion and any other ideas to help keep players in the game.

Everyone has this problem. You need to DRASTICALLY INCREASE RECRUITING. I solved this problem by expanding my player pool to the point where I have one playing group of "better" players and another group of just fish. The fish group, winning is a crap shoot. Everyone has their lucky day. The "better" group plays more seriously, and because of that winners end up randomizing. Your big problem right now is you have a few players that are exponentially better poker players then the group whole. By expanding, you will find better players to match up with them, and more fish to fill the void on the donk fest nights.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Hi Everyone,
Just found this site a couple of hours ago and have been browsing and one post got my attention: Player Sustainability. Hope you can offer opinions on this idea.

We are a small weekly friendly group, 4-6 players. A couple of players tend to dominate (win) in dealer's choice games over the long run such that a losing player drops out, about once a year or so. We've had more than 7 players at times with one or two players rotating out each week when we have more than 7 players. Lately recruiting is difficult and we are down to four players with one being on the fence of dropping out because of long term losses. If this happens the game will stop until a fourth player can be found.

I've been thinking of how to "moderate" the game to slightly slow down the winners and give the weaker players some very slight advantage. Here is what I am thinking of suggesting and would like comments please.

We rotate the dealing and game choice and use the button ante where the dealer puts in the ante, saves time because we converse during most of the game and we don't have to stop and remind players to ante up. What if we continue rotating the dealer and game choice but have the winner of the previous pot put in the ante? This provides a very small handicap to the winner of the previous pot and should help those who are having a bad night.

I've researched the idea and cannot find any statistics on how this would affect the game so open to opinion and any other ideas to help keep players in the game.

Expand recruiting. Lower stakes. Cut out the Ante (if good players dominate, less stakes in the pot helps new players IMO), slow down on the game rotation and play the games where the newbs can win at. Allow newbs to come an hour earlier and do sit downs and educate. Goal is to make newbs as good as the sharks, once they are, they won't leave. Yes, you'd be helping players play against you, but it'll save the game with players.

 

[Rakrul]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0921G58RL/
Although directed at casinos and card rooms, he puts a lot of focus on the proper balance between luck and skill which is important for sustainability.
First of all, remove games that the good player(s) dominate. Don't allow things that make the fish go broke sooner (i.e. bomb pots, deep stacks, etc.). Having ante forces nits to play more and since they're better than the fish their win rate increase. In your case, it's too high. There are a lots of topics in the book that's only applicable to professional card rooms which can be ignored, but still worth the read.

As other have said, recruitment is important. Gather some people for a newbie-night where none of the regulars can play and let them get their feet wet with micro stakes so it's safe and fun. Learn them about pot odds, implied odds, bankroll management, etc. After a few times, they will think they're playing good and are ready for your regular game.

 

[allforcharity]

It's all about constant marketing and recruitment.

 

[Phish1321]

Hello and welcome