Taking home game to the next level (2 Viewers)

[dallen1123]

Hi all,

I'm looking to restart a poker home game that I use to run regularly with some hometown friends. It has been a while since we played and I was just wondering what are some ways that you have improved your poker games over time (other than chips!). Would be great to get your suggestions!

Cheers

 

[BPTDirector]

Hot Dog Roller - get it!!

 

[dallen1123]

Hot Dog Roller - get it!!

Hahaha - I'm new to PCF and one of the first threads I ran into was on the hit dog roller. An essential by the sounds of it

 

[Tonystark137]

Good Table, better lighting; comfy chairs.

 

[Cratty]

Hahaha - I'm new to PCF and one of the first threads I ran into was on the hit dog roller. An essential by the sounds of it

Last year I was searching online for a hot dog roller forum, and the internet brought me here. I don't even like poker, but the folks here are the closest I can get.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Decent lighting, chairs, and plastic cards go a very long way to making it a better game. Welcome!

 

[Tonystark137]

Jumbo Index Plastic Cards. Players that know how to shuffle and deal... players that play fast...

 

[Tonystark137]

Denominated Chips. If it is a cash game, proper chip flow, not too many fracs, but not too little. No unnecessary denomination like a $10 chip in a 25c/50c game.

 

[Tonystark137]

A good rule set but don't be rule over enforcer to the point that it ruins the game. IE not being able to add $20 to my $1.2 dollar stack in a $20 buy in game...

 

[FearlessFred]

I restarted player poker a year ago and have hosted once a month since then. Here are a few things that have worked for us:

-Players need to be comfortable (but not pleased) with losing 3 buyins. We currently play 10p/10p NLHE Cash, £10 buyin, basically 'pint' stakes.
-Denominated chips. This is essential, "how much are the blues worth?" for the tenth time can lead to major health conditions.
-Plastic cards and someone to deal them. I, as host, shuffle and deal every hand and basically call all bets. This is better than passing the cards around and getting misdeals and mistakes all evening amongst social players.
-Some kind of playing surface. You don't need a custom mega fireworks table but a simple topper will massively elevate the game
-Music, snacks, drinks and lighting. Just basic hosting people stuff

 

[Nymor]

... and someone to deal them. I, as host, shuffle and deal every hand and basically call all bets. This is better than passing the cards around and getting misdeals and mistakes all evening amongst social players.

If you don't have a dedicated dealer, or someone has a physical handicap that prevents them from doing so, everyone should learn to shuffle and deal properly, it's not hard. I do enough in hosting in the first place I'm buggered if I'm dealing all night as well.

When I first started playing live, at a pub league, I couldn't shuffle for toffee and a reg called me up on it - in a friendly-ish way. I took a pack home and practiced. 5/10 minutes without the pressure of messing up is all it takes to get a riffle shuffle down, relax and it's a doddle. Same goes for those who overhand shuffle and expose cards left, right and center ... riffle ffs!

At my home game we also use 2 packs and shuffle behind which also takes the pressure off and gives nervous shufflers time to get it done.

/mini-rant


(edit: to add that we mostly play cash but if playing tournies then someone, me included, will probably deal when down to 3 or 4 players)

 

[AKomic]

Good Table, better lighting; comfy chairs.

Check. Check. Check.
Done!