A 5-5 Nl Home Game In Toronto... Need Advice

[NickTheKid 0]

Now as of now, I can't really host a home game as I'm inbetween places. But I was going to be living in a condo with a friend of mine who does also play cards, and I figured, a game every so often, (maybe even weekly) would be good.I'd be more than happy to advertise it on this website for those of you who would like to show up... but I have some questions and some of my own suggestions.1. Now, how many of you would be truly against a Rake? I have no real issue with having one or NOT having one... but it would probably be best for me if I did have one, I just don't want to make this feel like some super official casino game.2. Though it's not a casino, I'd still maintain strict rules, not nazi-strict, but ya know, keep the action going at a good pace.3. I'd have free drinks (non-alcoholic) like Coke or Pepsi, Bottles of water etc...It's just basically a regular NL game, I'd like 8-10 players at least, and ya know, because it's 5-5 NL, I'm thinking the max buyin would be 500$, and that should be the minimum you bring.There's no casino's in Toronto, and because I've heard of people doing this before I figure I could give it a shot and see how it works out. I'd just like some comments, questions, etc.This wont happen for a while, just want to know what some people opinion's are on the blinds, buyins, rake or not, etc.EDIT: And yes, about the rules... things like string betting, etc is obviously prohibited.

[king1305 0]

For a home game, as long as you provide things such as drinks, snacks, maybe pizza, etc, I don't think people would mind a small rake ($5 on pots over say, $X) to help cover those expenses. It would be once u did it to make money for yourself that they might mind it a bit.

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

Unless you have a center dealer , I don't think a rake is appropriate. Money will get pulled off the table fast, it's brutal.. I had a friend who did it, and it was.. well. .brutal. You'd be better off ( and much more likely to have players) if you charged time, like 2 bucks an hour or so...

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

When I hosted games, and the games my friends hosted, the big winners of the night would tip out who ever's house it was.. that seemed like a fair way to do things for us

[Vertigo 0]

Having a rake at a home game is what makes it illegal. This will attract heat. I would advise against it. IMHO

[JaNnN 0]

Why not let everyone pay 10 bucks upfront. You'll have 80-100 and I recone that would be enough to do some decent groceryshopping.If the group is nice mabey they'll help clean up a bit before going. That is what we do with our group. Like we say in Holland:''Samen uit, samen thuis'' witch translates to ''going away together, coming home together''...erm ok, that doesn't translate to well to English. nevermind

[tskillz187 0]

Not that I'd be a likely person to be going to this game, but I'll chime in. I agree with what most have said, rake is lame unless you have professional dealer. If you are providing drinks just charge $10 at the door for a night of gambling, and be up front that its some for drinks and some for your trouble.The rake works at casinos because there is a list of people waiting to play so it's harder to notice people's stacks depleting from the rake.

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

Not that I'd be a likely person to be going to this game, but I'll chime in. I agree with what most have said, rake is lame unless you have professional dealer. If you are providing drinks just charge $10 at the door for a night of gambling, and be up front that its some for drinks and some for your trouble.The rake works at casinos because there is a list of people waiting to play so it's harder to notice people's stacks depleting from the rake.

I mean, a rake is great for you, 'cause you'll make a sht ton of money from it, but it's a hard sell.. your buddies will be like " fuk that, Next week lets play at my place"

[ajs510 122]

If you're doing $500 max you're much better off running a 1-2-5 game ($1/2 blinds, $5 min bringin). Allows for a lot more play than just having 100 blinds to work with at the start. The 1-2-5 game plays exactly like 1/2NL, the only difference is that the minimum bet is $5 (so if the BB wants to play his hand, he still owes $3, SB $4).

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

If you're doing $500 max you're much better off running a 1-2-5 game ($1/2 blinds, $5 min bringin). Allows for a lot more play than just having 100 blinds to work with at the start. The 1-2-5 game plays exactly like 1/2NL, the only difference is that the minimum bet is $5 (so if the BB wants to play his hand, he still owes $3, SB $4).

this is candian money we are talking about.. take the skirt off and have a triple 5-10-25 blind with a dollar ante and no max buy in.

[blakheart 3]

The home game I play in starts with a sit n go with part of the prize pool going to the host. The host uses that money to pay for pizza and drinks, etc. Typically we buy in to the sit-n-go for about $40. After the sit-n-go we play a cash game.

[mtdesmoines 3]

3. I'd have free drinks (non-alcoholic) like Coke or Pepsi, Bottles of water etc...

Run a 10 minute/$5 shovament before the real game -- winner brings drinks each time. If the host wins, OK then.

[aucu 3]

Just a flat donation is the way to go, say $5 at the start, $5 after two hours, something like that or have a tip jar and the winners chip in after a good pot until you have say $100.

[Asimo 1]

I agree with just charging an entry fee to get in. $10/person should be enough to cover soda, chips and pizza. If they want alcohol then BYOB.

[rivergirl 2]

Having a rake at a home game is what makes it illegal. This will attract heat. I would advise against it. IMHO

pretty much my thinking....rotate the game from house to house so it's fair for all and have people bring their own drinks, chip in for pizza etc.this is what we do.

this is candian money we are talking about.. take the skirt off and have a triple 5-10-25 blind with a dollar ante and no max buy in.

it's pretty much at par now...

[NickTheKid 0]

Thanks guys for all the replys! Wasn't expecting THIS much buzz :DYeah, I always thought the thought of a rake to be kinda greasy, even if I'm bringing people I don't know.. I mean, why play a home game when you can go to a Casino... 10$ on original buyin is a great idea. It would cover all expenses for the night.1-2-5 does seem like an okay plan too me as well.As for chips that would be available I guess 1$, 5$, 25$, 50$ denominations would be kosher...Again, when this does happen I will advertise on Gen. Poker or some other related threads to see who would like to play.

[CrazyJoe 0]

If you're doing $500 max you're much better off running a 1-2-5 game ($1/2 blinds, $5 min bringin). Allows for a lot more play than just having 100 blinds to work with at the start. The 1-2-5 game plays exactly like 1/2NL, the only difference is that the minimum bet is $5 (so if the BB wants to play his hand, he still owes $3, SB $4).

? how would it get to the BB having to put in more money, if it's folded all the way around the BB would have to take the $2 no?

[dylanburr 0]

i used to have a home game in a restaurant where i used to work. they gave us beer and all the food and shots we could handle. every hand one 50 cent chip would come out and it usually covered what we drank. its a good thing to do if you provide food and drinks.

[Mercury69 3]

i used to have a home game in a restaurant where i used to work. they gave us beer and all the food and shots we could handle. every hand one 50 cent chip would come out and it usually covered what we drank. its a good thing to do if you provide food and drinks.

Serious??? You must be a bunch of lightweights...Hell, lighter than me!

[NickTheKid 0]

i used to have a home game in a restaurant where i used to work. they gave us beer and all the food and shots we could handle. every hand one 50 cent chip would come out and it usually covered what we drank. its a good thing to do if you provide food and drinks.

You had it made, getting free booze.

[Steamed Rice 0]

I like the idea, but I'd imagine there are sharks in your game. I would rather make the drive to Fallsview and play some uber donks, j/s.

[NickTheKid 0]

I like the idea, but I'd imagine there are sharks in your game. I would rather make the drive to Fallsview and play some uber donks, j/s.

Well, of the people I'd invite, a lot would come from FCP because a lot of my friends dont like cards, and those that do don't play 1-2-5. But yeh, I'm assuming some of your FCPers are a lot better than the loose morons at a casino.... free food, barely a raaaake