• This site contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, Poker Chip Forum may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Why do people host home games? (3 Viewers)

F

frondaro

Sitting Out
Joined
Nov 28, 2022
Messages
20
Reaction score
14
Location
seattle
hello, question, why do people host home games?

for context, i have never been to a home game of poker, the reason i'm asking this question isn't because i think home games are stupid, but i just would like to understand why people host home games and what home games have that casino games do not

thank you
 
You have control over the: stakes (try and find a $1/1 game in a casino), buy in amounts (we like playing deepstacked 1-400bb deep, games (mixed, limit, dealers choice etc), the players you play with (no assholes or smelly people) and most importantly the chips in play.
 
There might not be a casino close by.
You get to invite whoever you like.
You get to control the stakes.
No rake (although the host probably paid a fortune for chips, chairs, tables, etc).
Are you into games that casinos won't offer? No problem.
All in all, it's just nicer...
 
601201be-dc4c-45ee-a528-8977983840ca_text.gif
 
:unsure: For me, it a lot of reasons but this few are the main reason

1) There's a local entry fee of $150 for entering local casino
2) The poker rake is high at 5% capped at $75 and the only regular game is 10/20 stake
3) I want a causal stake / cash environment to play with my friends
4) The comfort of playing at your home ground
5) Able to use / felt various type of poker chips and plastic playing card (aka my collections)
 
I host so that I can play poker with people I actually like, and that’s the main reason. I control the invites.

Aside from that, at home: control over stakes, no rake, more fun environment, better food, better chips, better music…

The real question might be, why would anyone play in a casino? :wtf: :wtf:
 
frondaro said:
hello, question, why do people host home games?

for context, i have never been to a home game of poker, the reason i'm asking this question isn't because i think home games are stupid, but i just would like to understand why people host home games and what home games have that casino games do not

thank you
Click to expand...
It's the social aspect for me. I have friends that go to MGM all the time because they like "poker." I prefer the social aspect of a home game that you don't get playing at a casino. These pics might help you understand.

20210528_221701.jpgA311F213-469C-4A0E-80C1-978A6CC0B129.jpeg1C2CD2ED-2C8A-4498-8ACE-62D13D524C45.jpeg20210528_175049.jpg20210528_185416.jpg1622370815126.jpeg20220528_213708.jpg20220219_194407.jpgFB_IMG_1547996422553.jpg20190420_170650.jpg20190420_144737.jpg5746.jpeg5747.jpeg
 
frondaro said:
hello, question, why do people host home games?

for context, i have never been to a home game of poker, the reason i'm asking this question isn't because i think home games are stupid, but i just would like to understand why people host home games and what home games have that casino games do not

thank you
Click to expand...

So if I understand your question, you are basically asking what do women have that men do not?
 
Last edited:
I host once a month and I attend home games one or two more times a month. I would prefer to do this any day of the week over a casino. I do this for entertainment purposes and social engagement. The games I play are not played in a casino for the most part. I love the steaks that I host, which I will not find in a casino. My chips are clean, and good condition, and equal or better than most casinos with used bike tire chips.

PXL_20220826_201801678.jpg
PXL_20221111_181704270.jpg
PXL_20220906_214859670.jpg
PXL_20221111_180207837.jpg
PXL_20220826_164158715.jpg
PXL_20221128_180608590.jpg
PXL_20220924_204448010.jpg
PXL_20221112_012914641.jpg
 
Benefits of Hosting Home Games:
  • People you actually like
  • Drive is literally 0 miles (here in Nashville the closest casino in 4 hours away)
  • Ours combines food with fun
  • Control over the stakes. We have Hosted 5¢-10¢ games all the way up to 25¢-50¢. Tournaments have been as little as $20, and as much as $50.
  • Tournaments can be as long or as short as you like.
  • The blind structures don't suck unless you want them to.
  • You can introduce new players to poker - Low stakes amongst friends creates an environment that is less intimidating. Friends telling you you cannot string bet, and why a string bet is wrong, is far better than an old cantankerous hag bitching or some young-punk barely out of diapers whining that you did it wrong and should be penalized.
  • The liquor is far better, and affordable
  • No rake, unless you count the food that is leftover... which I will eat for a week following poker.
  • It gives @Mrs Poker Zombie a chance to be social - Following COVID work from home shift, many people just don't get to "see" people unless something comes up.
  • You can visit a lot of friends all at once - We have a regular player that lives in Phoenix. She times her work trips to Nashville around our poker schedule, because she can visit with 15 people in one night. Same goes with a couple that recently moved to Arkansas. It's a long drive, but they get to many longtime friends in a single trip.
  • The chips don't look like they are stored in a buffalo's rectum between games.
  • That pretty girl in seat 6 hitting on you... yeah, you can go to bed with her later. She's not a hooker, it's your wife.
  • Meet-ups are technically home games. I make 2 of them a year, and I wish it could be more. Trying to figure out how I can marry @Ben8257 so I can travel to meet-ups with him.
  • Circus games. I still prefer NLHE, but enjoy mixing in other games, from limit hold'em and classics like stud, all the way up to the newest circus games. Horary Icelandic Scarney!
Benefits of a casino
  • You can try your skills against a new pool of players - Though, you can always invite new people and continually get a new pool of players, so I'll scratch this.
  • Professional, dedicated dealer - though we have plenty of skilled dealers in our games now as anyone can learn to deal properly if you give them a chance. One of our players even became a professional dealer after he moved away. So I guess this isn't a benefit either.
  • Security - Once upon a time I would skip any $1-$2 game invite, or any $100 tournament, because the lack of security. But video upon video has shown cheats in casinos that have gone unprosecuted. Thieves that walk over, grab chips, purses, or backpacks and dash out the door, unblocked by security. Players that angle-shoot, hiding large-value chips, or pull back bets that were obvious but then they said it never happened. Perhaps it goes back to People you actually like, but truthfully, knowing you are not likely to be cheated at your own game is a great advantage of hosting a home game.
  • Cocktail servers - The liquor may be well quality or prohibitively expensive. Mixed drinks may be made wrong. The server may only swing by once an hour, if you are lucky. But those outfits keep this a positive experience of a casino.
 
arch3r said:
View attachment 1031118
Click to expand...
Pssh! BTW proof he will let a total NIT in!
20220122_195827.jpg

Technically he had two NITs that night on either side of him... the action is @Highli99 (green) skip one... then the next 3! The guy with the Blue vest and green hat is a TOTAL NIT!! But he's trying to learn! Haha
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Register

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Similar threads

G
Time between home games
2
Replies
41
Views
1K
merkong
merkong
FlushMD
List of Home Games and Rules
Replies
5
Views
452
chippitydoodah
chippitydoodah
M
Friendly Home Game
Replies
21
Views
732
mrhoneybunz
M
Munchies11
Biggest challenge Hosting a home poker game?
2 3 4
Replies
105
Views
4K
SetToBean
SetToBean
3
Looking for games in Charlotte
Replies
1
Views
49
Labrat
L
Back
Top Bottom