Hosting Tourney/Cash Game - Alcohol (1 Viewer)

[arodoreo]

How do you all handle the alcohol at your local games? I have a new table and getting some new chips and will be hosting a monthly game. I mean I’m down with BYOB but would it be too much if I had a rotation of someone to bring a bottle of bourbon? This way we can enjoy two vices at once (good bourbon and good poker). Thanks for your input!

 

[CraigT78]

100% how you want to run it. It's your game.

I provide two kegs of craft beer, and a pretty good selection of liquor to my guys. I also charge a $20 hospitality fee on top of the tournament buy in.

I also play in several of my regs games, they started as BYOB, but most have moved to a $20 charge and provide food and beers.

The most important thing is let your players know. Nothing worse that walking into a poker night and having to go on a beer run because your 12 beers wasn't enough for everyone.

Good luck!

 

[arodoreo]

100% how you want to run it. It's your game.

I provide two kegs of craft beer, and a pretty good selection of liquor to my guys. I also charge a $20 hospitality fee on top of the tournament buy in.

I also play in several of my regs games, they started as BYOB, but most have moved to a $20 charge and provide food and beers.

The most important thing is let your players know. Nothing worse that walking into a poker night and having to go on a beer run because your 12 beers wasn't enough for everyone.

Good luck!

Well said. Thank you!

 

[Poker Zombie]

I initially provided all food and beverages, but common "party" courtesy is to BYOB and request to drink from the host or another guests stash.

A good group may enjoy your bourbon, and then bring a bottle the next time - as a way of saying thanks. That is also common courtesy. If I were to notice someone always mooching food and drink, but never contributing, that violates unwritten rule #1: Always be courteous. Violating rule #1 would see your name fall into "B" list status very quickly.

 

[Rhodeman77]

As @CraigT78 said whatever you do make sure your players know ahead of time what will be made available by you or what is expected of them.

I provide dinner, snacks, booze, beer, and soft drinks. I collect $1/hand in pots that reach $30 to cover this expense.

My players like it because they don’t have to do anything but show up. I tried to do the $20 flat fee but got push back from several people. They felt like they were down money before the game even started or why should they pay $20 if they don’t plan on eating or drinking.

Every group is different so ask around what they would prefer.

 

[LordFalsate]

I suggest getting a professional dealer that you pay hourly or in tips and supply food, drinks, smokes, etc to the players and just take rake. Although this does depend on the stakes you play.

 

[hod]

Each to their own!

Our group is good friends, byob although most guys bring snacks etc.

 

[CdnBeerLover]

For us, as we have rotating hosts, it's byob. Host provides a cooler w/ice or a 'fridge.

 

[justsomedude]

My standard host setup..

Translation: if you're a beer snob or just hate High Life or Coors, by all means, bring your own stuff!

 

[justsomedude]

I suggest getting a professional dealer that you pay hourly or in tips and supply food, drinks, smokes, etc to the players and just take rake.

Good idea, but rakes are illegal in some locales... such as Denver.

 

[CraigT78]

you're a beer snob

And no cigars or 420.

I think maybe you just don’t want me to join your game

 

[DoubleEagle]

100% how you want to run it. It's your game.

I provide two kegs of craft beer, and a pretty good selection of liquor to my guys. I also charge a $20 hospitality fee on top of the tournament buy in.

I also play in several of my regs games, they started as BYOB, but most have moved to a $20 charge and provide food and beers.

The most important thing is let your players know. Nothing worse that walking into a poker night and having to go on a beer run because your 12 beers wasn't enough for everyone.

Good luck!

I remember many years ago back on CT being chastised for charging a $10 hospitality fee. I think it makes complete sense.

 

[justsomedude]

I think it makes complete sense.

Agreed.

For my annual 3-table tourney I do charge a $10 hospitality fee. Mainly because I provide snacks and meals, and an array of alcohol.

For my 1-table cash games, I just provide a few 12-packs of the cheap stuff, some one usually brings a bottle of bourbon, and I don't mind ponying up for some hot dogs and buns.

 

[CraigT78]

I remember many years ago back on CT being chastised for charging a $10 hospitality fee. I think it makes complete sense.

I didn’t do it for almost 3 years. When I started out I’d get 7-8 guys and it cost me a whopping $50/night to host. I put out a donation box and it was a $10 suggested donation. Flash forward to 2018 and I’m hosting once a month, minimum. I’ve got 20 guys coming and we drain 1.5 slim kegs. Add to that the chips and hotdogs, plus whatever amount of whisky is drank, and it’s costing me over $300 to host, where I was only getting $120-$150 in the box. So I sent an email - added $20 to the tournament entry for hospitality. Now I’m covered for hosting. I haven’t lost anyone, there was some grumbling from a couple guys, but at the end of the day most thought it was very fair.

 

[detroitdad]

I provide bourbon. a few guys provide beer, and sometimes the occasional bourbon/ scotch bottle.

@ChaosRock and @Marc Hedrick make awesome alcohol donations to the game

I still have a bottle of rum in the basement from @Jeff

 

[DoubleEagle]

I didn’t do it for almost 3 years. When I started out I’d get 7-8 guys and it cost me a whopping $50/night to host. I put out a donation box and it was a $10 suggested donation. Flash forward to 2018 and I’m hosting once a month, minimum. I’ve got 20 guys coming and we drain 1.5 slim kegs. Add to that the chips and hotdogs, plus whatever amount of whisky is drank, and it’s costing me over $300 to host, where I was only getting $120-$150 in the box. So I sent an email - added $20 to the tournament entry for hospitality. Now I’m covered for hosting. I haven’t lost anyone, there was some grumbling from a couple guys, but at the end of the day most thought it was very fair.

I’d love to play in your game sometime... Roadtrip!

 

[Beakertwang]

I’d love to play in your game sometime... Roadtrip!

I'm still planning on trying to sneak my way in to @CraigT78's game the next time we're visiting my wife's sister in Dallas!

 

[CraigT78]

I'm still planning on trying to sneak my way in to @CraigT78's game the next time we're visiting my wife's sister in Dallas!

Let me know in advance and I'll put a game together

 

[Beakertwang]

Let me know in advance and I'll put a game together

At this point, we're looking at spring break in March. I'll certainly be in touch!

 

[CraigT78]

At this point, we're looking at spring break in March. I'll certainly be in touch!

Ah crap, I’ll be on a cruise depending on dates. Let me know.

 

[Beakertwang]

Ah crap, I’ll be on a cruise depending on dates. Let me know.

My wife works at the school, and spring break is March 16-24.

 

[johnjohn]

I usually provide colorado water, whiskey and aged rum. Dog roller or pizza oven depending on my mood. Guys usually bring extra drinks and sometimes snacks. Several folks will rotate bringing a bottle of something. Never have to ask them.

 

[detroitdad]

I miss @Sprouty coming to my games. Until he quit playing cash I never, ever, never had to buy snacks. Dude always brought chips and pretzels

 

[Sprouty]

I miss @Sprouty coming to my games. Until he quit playing cash I never, ever, never had to buy snacks. Dude always brought chips and pretzels

I wouldn't say that I quit playing cash. Just been busy. I was sad I didn't make Mike's last night.

 

[detroitdad]

I wouldn't say that I quit playing cash. Just been busy. I was sad I didn't make Mike's last night.

I didn't make it either. Now I have to wait until the first to play cards

 

[CraigT78]

My wife works at the school, and spring break is March 16-24.

You're in luck! Our spring break is 9th to 16th. Let me know a good night and we'll play poker!

 

[Beakertwang]

You're in luck! Our spring break is 9th to 16th. Let me know a good night and we'll play poker!

Fantastic! I’ll confirm with you as we get closer.

And to keep this on topic: I’ll bring something Iowan to drink. Some Templeton, maybe? Hmmm...

 

[pltrgyst]

I remember many years ago back on CT being chastised for charging a $10 hospitality fee. I think it makes complete sense.

It all depends on how much you worry about the possibility of being busted. Any kind of mandatory fee like that makes the game illegal in some states, Virginia being one.

 

[mudhog]

1 bottle? LMFAO, we have a liquor store downstairs of our card game, my game goes through 4 or 5 bottles of good wine and a couple bottles of bourbon in a 5 hour game. They just buy it till the store closes. And we have a kegerator in the bar where the game is held.

 

[DoubleEagle]

It all depends on how much you worry about the possibility of being busted. Any kind of mandatory fee like that makes the game illegal in some states, Virginia being one.

All games on KS are illegal. We dont care.