Home Game Lessons from a Newbie (1 Viewer)

[BatteredAggie]

I started hosting micro-stakes poker nights with friends about 5 months ago and have picked up a few tips for first-time hosts. Experienced hosts might find this obvious, but I hope it helps beginners.

Lesson 1: Find the Right Game
We began with tournament-style games but found them too time-consuming and frustrating due to knockouts and dwindling player numbers. We all prefer 6-8 players at the table versus 2-3 players. Switching to micro-stakes cash games (1c/2c with a $2 buy-in) worked better, but the stakes were too low to make the game engaging. We eventually settled on 5c/10c with a $10 buy-in, which struck the right balance for our group, making the game more competitive and fun. Before investing in expensive chips, I highly recommend experimenting with different formats with inexpensive dice chips to find what works best for your group.

Lesson 2: Gear
The gear that has made the biggest difference for us includes plastic cards (Copag), a roll-up table topper (Amazon), a Bluetooth speaker (JBL Flip 6), and plastic chip racks (Amazon).

• Plastic Cards: These are a huge upgrade from paper cards—easier to shuffle, deal, and more durable.
• Table Topper: This simple addition made picking up cards and dealing much smoother, enhancing the overall experience.
• Chip Racks: These made organizing and distributing chips a breeze, speeding up the setup.
• Bluetooth Speaker: A great way to set the mood with some ambient music during the game.

Lesson 3: Timely Arrivals
To encourage punctuality, I introduced a "Show 'Em" chip, awarded to players who arrived on time. This chip allows the holder to make any player reveal their cards after a hand. It worked well for our friendly $10 game, with only one late arrival by just a minute.

What about anyone else? Any tips for new poker hosts? Or maybe tips from some more experienced members?

 

[SixSeven]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

Sounds like you have found some good things to get on the right track. One thing that might help is a cash box. I started with just putting cash in chip case, but I have found it better to have a cash box. When it comes out at the end, it's easier to find the 10's, 5's and 1's to give back. I realize you might be doing digital but just thought I would share if you are doing cash. I like your idea for show em chip. That makes it fun.

If you decide to upgrade from Dice chips, check this article out on here. https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...poker-chips-for-beginners-new-members.114884/

 

[BatteredAggie]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

Sounds like you have found some good things to get on the right track. One thing that might help is a cash box. I started with just putting cash in chip case, but I have found it better to have a cash box. When it comes out at the end, it's easier to find the 10's, 5's and 1's to give back. I realize you might be doing digital but just thought I would share if you are doing cash. I like your idea for show em chip. That makes it fun.

If you decide to upgrade from Dice chips, check this article out on here. https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...poker-chips-for-beginners-new-members.114884/

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm actually in the process of improving my cash/coin storage and organization. I just purchased some coin organizers, but just use an envelope with 5's and 1's for bills. I thought about getting a tray for bills but it seemed like too much to store just to organize two bill types.
What kind of a cash box do you use? I'm running out of space in my "poker storage drawer" in our dining room where we play.

That looks like a great thread! I'm deciding between either the Pharaoh china clays or the Dia de los Muertos ceramics. The suggestion I've seen here to buy samples was really helpful, there's nothing like feeling and seeing the chips in your hand to see what floats your boat.

 

[sup_squidy]

I like the show em idea

 

[SixSeven]

This box (https://a.co/d/1I6gKLO) would take care of your cash/coin needs. Has places for coins and bills. $23 bucks. Also will allow you to grow to a bigger game. I started with a $5 buy in and one $.25c blind structure. Now I am at $.25/.25 and $.25/.50 blinds, $50 max buy in.

Another suggestion I thought of, is to get some padding under your topper. Here is the link for that. Simulates more of a padded table. This isn't necessary, but nice. : )
https://www.americangamingsupply.co...-Poker-Table-Foam-Padding-59-Inches-Wide.aspx

YES! Get chips samples for sure!! Everyone on here will tell you that. That is what I did. I ended up setting on a @justincarothers ceramic TINA set (you can see in my profile pic). I've just recently upgraded but after more testing.

 

[QuailValley]

Sounds like you are on the right path. I've been running a small stakes home game (0.25/0.25 w/ $25 buy in; playing no limit holdem) for a few years now, and havent had to upgrade much over time.

A few notes on chips. Nothing wrong if you really like those chips, but if you are paying close to $0.50 a chip I would seriously take @SixSeven advice and checkout justincaroathers TINA sales in his vendor page Broken Arrow Cardroom. I just upgraded from my basic slug set to the web hybrid and they really are the best chip in that price range. Plus you can customize them as much or as little as you want.

Only other note is also check out other plastic cards. We first started out with a setup from Davinci and quickly upgraded to Desjgn (another vendor in the forum). We like the bridge size jumbo format with 4 colors.

We have also started introducing some minigames like bomb pots, and 7-2 game. having those sprinkled in keeps the game a little more up beat and exciting. Nothing like watching someone bluff a 7-2 with a big win.

 

[awsome306]

A "Show em" chip is a really cool idea. I might have to steal that from you.

 

[EastCoastCali]

A "Show em" chip is a really cool idea. I might have to steal that from you.

I really like this too. Surprised there isn't any offered in any of the tina sets.

 

[VulgarrViking]

A "Show em" chip is a really cool idea. I might have to steal that from you.

I do something similar in my cash games that I host.
I give everyone that shows up on time a show'em chip
Everyone that pays their buy-in with exact change gets a Rabbit Hunting chip that allows them to see what the next card would have been when a hand ends.

 

[elemeno]

Lesson 3: Timely Arrivals
To encourage punctuality, I introduced a "Show 'Em" chip, awarded to players who arrived on time. This chip allows the holder to make any player reveal their cards after a hand. It worked well for our friendly $10 game, with only one late arrival by just a minute.

GREAT idea. Stealing this.

 

[SixSeven]

GREAT idea. Stealing this.

Both great ideas. I tried the Show 'Em chips this last weekend and people loved it and used it! Only thing is a couple times people used it to see the hand on the river instead of paying chips to see it. So the ones showing their hand lost a little money.