INTRO — Part I
Here’s a little cautionary tale about how not to get a new private game off on the right foot, and how not to alienate other hosts...
Earlier this year, I started seeing a new player at a bunch of different homes/private games where I play. The player was a woman in her 30s. She played pretty tight, rarely getting it in without the nuts. She was pleasant enough to chat with, and seemed respectful of the game. Over time I learned that she was a parent and homeowner. Occasionally I’d also run into her at the nearest casino.
Let’s call her Sally.
Somewhat oddly, Sally always had her younger brother accompany her to these games. The brother never played, but would sit quietly, sometimes eating the host’s food. She never ate anything—said she had stomach issues—so the hosts did not seem to mind. He, too, was pleasant to chat with if you engaged him. I asked one of the hosts at some point why she always brought her brother, and was told that it was because her husband was a bit worried about her being out late on her own, gambling with random people.
At one point, a host who I like and trust, who is also a part-time dealer, suggested that I invite Sally to my game. He knew her much the same way I did, but had gotten to know her better and said she seemed solid. He also asked around at the local casino among dealers he knew and no one seemed to have anything bad to say about her.
So she started playing my game as well, again bringing the brother. I appreciated her as a new player since she seemed to get along with my regs, never made trouble, RSVP’d and showed up on time, and would stay most of the night. Sometimes she’d bring some extra food for the game, too. She continued to play tight, becoming a modest winner overall. She wasn’t especially “good for the game” in the sense that she didn’t splash around much. But she’d top off/rebuy as needed, and made it one less seat I needed to worry about filling.
So far, so good...
Here’s a little cautionary tale about how not to get a new private game off on the right foot, and how not to alienate other hosts...
Earlier this year, I started seeing a new player at a bunch of different homes/private games where I play. The player was a woman in her 30s. She played pretty tight, rarely getting it in without the nuts. She was pleasant enough to chat with, and seemed respectful of the game. Over time I learned that she was a parent and homeowner. Occasionally I’d also run into her at the nearest casino.
Let’s call her Sally.
Somewhat oddly, Sally always had her younger brother accompany her to these games. The brother never played, but would sit quietly, sometimes eating the host’s food. She never ate anything—said she had stomach issues—so the hosts did not seem to mind. He, too, was pleasant to chat with if you engaged him. I asked one of the hosts at some point why she always brought her brother, and was told that it was because her husband was a bit worried about her being out late on her own, gambling with random people.
At one point, a host who I like and trust, who is also a part-time dealer, suggested that I invite Sally to my game. He knew her much the same way I did, but had gotten to know her better and said she seemed solid. He also asked around at the local casino among dealers he knew and no one seemed to have anything bad to say about her.
So she started playing my game as well, again bringing the brother. I appreciated her as a new player since she seemed to get along with my regs, never made trouble, RSVP’d and showed up on time, and would stay most of the night. Sometimes she’d bring some extra food for the game, too. She continued to play tight, becoming a modest winner overall. She wasn’t especially “good for the game” in the sense that she didn’t splash around much. But she’d top off/rebuy as needed, and made it one less seat I needed to worry about filling.
So far, so good...
