Introducing poker etiquette (1 Viewer)

[Jonesey07]

I like this idea, although I'm not sure I want to deal all night. I am considering hiring a dealer.

When do you need me?

 

[toad94]

I have a page of rules sitting near the table:



In a rare occurrence--if someone habitually forgets one of the rules--I or one of the other players have handed the page to the offending player accompanied by something like, "time for a refresher?" or something light-hearted to keep it friendly but also encourage a bit more rule-following.

 

[JustinInMN]

So I finished my house rules (inspired in part by this thread) and I added it to the house rules thread.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/home-game-house-rules.12491/#post-537189

"Only deal the flop, turn, and river at the conclusion of action." I would omit the explination. (There's probably a way to write this to apply to all forms.)

I think I improved on my own wording here.

http://frclub.mygamesonline.org/FreeRiverClubBasic.html

 

[Milo013]

Bigger problem than marked cards (imo) is the likelihood of the board cards getting prematurely exposed, or mixed up when somebody throws their hand into them when folding. It's just a bad habit that's easy to break.

My game (couples get together) has one player who would do this (pre-deal) consistently. A couple of mucks from me into the predealt turn and river, followed by me "forgetting" what my cards were, put a stop to that bullshit. Players get pissed when they think fate has somehow been altered.

 

[ThatVeritas]

I have been playing in a game with a group of guys that are fun to play with, but are very loose with typical poker etiquette. They don't use a cut card, they splash the pot, they pre-deal the flop-turn-and river, and they openly talk about possibilities while the hand is in play. They do at least shuffle behind and cut the cards. Before you ask why I play there, the game has been profitable.

The host of this game is moving and I have been asked to host at my house. My question, how do I get them to follow the rules without sounding like a rules Nazi. I don't want to alienate anyone, but I would like to at least make a few adjustments. I feel that if I harp on the rules too much, the game might break.

For me, the most important issues are the cut card and pre-dealing. I can cringe and live with the others or at least wait till later to work on those issues.

Any suggestions ??

Find myself facing some similar issues, good post, and I’m going to get some freebie opinions off of your thread haha. Cheers.

 

[CraigT78]

My group will NEVER follow the table talk rule. Talking shit and razzing the players in the hand is 90% of the fun. Great suggestions in here and a great rule list. Good luck with hosting! Get that hot dog roller fired up!

 

[craytron]

Sounds like you have a good start here. I just wanted to weigh in on some of the philosophy behind this. Whether you choose to be gentle and introduce one rule at a time or rip the band-aid off all at once and hit your crew with all new rules immediately is going to depend on both your own personality as a host as well as the make up of your crew. If you're all good friends and you're a bold confident personality then you could probably dump it all on them and give them a lot of hassle when they don't follow the rules and it can be a quick transition. If it's not like that, then the more gentle approach may be required. Your mileage may vary.

One thought if possible, is to get another member of the crew in on it with you. I have found when I have a close ally in the mix that knows what I'm trying to do with my home game - change happens a LOT faster. One follower makes all the difference. Again - this may not be possible in your situation - but if it is, I highly recommend it.

Finally - I would consider dedicated dealing once or twice - I know it sucks, but it can help set the tone of how it's done at your place. Pepper in lots of Ace Rothstein one liners from Casino: "This ain't no sawdust joint!" and pretty soon the rest of the crew will pick up on how it's done at your place.

 

[joker80]

I take the opposite approach. Home poker games are supposed to be fun and if the only reason you play is to make money, why play? I know pre dealing and cut cards are security measures, but if these guys are not smart enough to know the reasons for those measures are they really smart enough to exploit them?

 

[Jz44]

I take the opposite approach. Home poker games are supposed to be fun and if the only reason you play is to make money, why play? I know pre dealing and cut cards are security measures, but if these guys are not smart enough to know the reasons for those measures are they really smart enough to exploit them?

I lean this way with my game because most in it haven't and don't play anywhere else. There are a couple of us that are more serious, and some that are interested in learning and playing more, so us more experienced players sort of maintain order through peer pressure.

Things worth handling one or two of us get on right away and explain ("In a casino you can't do x because"). That generally takes care of the issue for everyone going forward. Things that are part of what make the home game a home game and fun we let go.

As the game gets more serious, as do the rules.

 

[joker80]

Depends on stakes too. My games are low stakes, but I suppose if this game is 2/5 or 5/10 might be different

 

[k9dr]

I take the opposite approach. Home poker games are supposed to be fun and if the only reason you play is to make money, why play? I know pre dealing and cut cards are security measures, but if these guys are not smart enough to know the reasons for those measures are they really smart enough to exploit them?

I hosted the game last night and decided to take this approach. I am the new guy in this group that has been playing together for over 20 years. I decided it would be best to just relax and not sweat the small stuff. I honestly don't think anyone is exploiting the rules anyway. The things that were important to me - nice table, nice cards, and nice chips - mostly went unnoticed. Everything ran smoothly, except when I dealt the flop from the wrong deck I guess I should have pre-dealt

 

[CraigT78]

except when I dealt the flop from the wrong deck

I've had this happen once in my game - except no one noticed until all streets were dealt!

 

[Amarena Fabbri]

Hosting the game brings the opportunity for you to set your own house rules. Decide on what you'd like to do prior to hosting your first game. Set the buy-in, games, limits, arrival/departure times, select the equipment (cards, chips, cut cards, dealer button, missed blinds button, seat selection, food & drinks, etc.) as well as any etiquette rules you'd like to implement to make your game run smoother. Good luck.

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