The Perfect Home Poker Game - Players, Stakes, Starting Chip Counts & More

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Now that we've covered how to choose the best poker chips and building the right chip stacks for your home game, let's get into the nitty-gritty of making your home poker game the best in town! We have everything covered from finding the best players, to choosing the right game and stakes for your crowd, along with all the other home game essentials. Take a look at our extensive poker home game guide.


Ultimate Home Poker Game Setup

What do you think? Did we miss anything? Are you a veteran game host and have some more tips for members? Leave your thoughts here! 🙂


Poker home game
 
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Wow! This was a new strategy article? I just linked to this one as a reference in another thread about a home game. Cool, came along at the right time!
 
Shady Slim said:
Wow! This was a new strategy article? I just linked to this one as a reference in another thread about a home game. Cool, came along at the right time!
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New"ish". Within the last few months. 🙂
 
Good idea to use your own smartphone as tournament director to put the countdown for the player to act and other functionality such as the customization of the blinds and the configuration of the tournament structure.
 
acidburnfx said:
Good idea to use your own smartphone as tournament director to put the countdown for the player to act and other functionality such as the customization of the blinds and the configuration of the tournament structure.
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It wasn't mentioned in the article, but if an App or software has the ability to "cast" to a smart TV it gives everyone in the room a clear view of how the game is progressing. When I played live with Chicago Charitable Games, they used a laptop with HDMI cable on a big screen which was kind of cool.
 
Nice and complete article. Maybe my question is better asked as a new thread, but what about rake?

I also have found an other interesting app for home games except Pokerstars home games and 888. Its an app called Wifi Poker Room: Texas Holdem. No accounts, no nothing. Basically everyone connects in the same wifi and can play poker without cards or chips while in the same room, so you get to watch your friend expressions. You can also make a hotspot of your phone without any mb used and play texas holdem when in long car trips or whatever.

It may seems like I am advertising, but that app was handy when I hadnt cards or chips and wanted to play poker with my friends.
 
Spaceman said:
Nice and complete article. Maybe my question is better asked as a new thread, but what about rake?

I also have found an other interesting app for home games except Pokerstars home games and 888. Its an app called Wifi Poker Room: Texas Holdem. No accounts, no nothing. Basically everyone connects in the same wifi and can play poker without cards or chips while in the same room, so you get to watch your friend expressions. You can also make a hotspot of your phone without any mb used and play texas holdem when in long car trips or whatever.

It may seems like I am advertising, but that app was handy when I hadnt cards or chips and wanted to play poker with my friends.
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There is a thread here about that app similar to that app. See https://www.cardschat.com/forum/online-poker-73/poker-2-app-380753/

I thought it was a pretty cool idea. The one thing I was concerned about with that app, and maybe the one you are referring to, is that the card shuffling is done with standard software RNG. As you know, this will not be state of the art like what they do over at PokerStars with mechanical generators.
 
Do not see much missing.
1. Usssualy players up for playing. yes, you should avoid some personalities, but beyond that - I dont see a draught =)
2. This 1 goes withou sayng. Just stick to holde. Ther is a reason why most pela play it =) Truing to weed in STUD8 ot 10game is fun... of your oponen can rember the differnces between rasz and stud
3. True. 5-10 seem good. It wiil make people 'fell" money withou it actualy being too expensive
 
Very interesting article, which describes a professional approach to the home game. I'm sure home games are very funny, even if you lose some garbage hand of your friend's))
Home games are very useful for those who want to switch from online to offline poker.
 
Spaceman said:
Nice and complete article. Maybe my question is better asked as a new thread, but what about rake?

I also have found an other interesting app for home games except Pokerstars home games and 888. Its an app called Wifi Poker Room: Texas Holdem. No accounts, no nothing. Basically everyone connects in the same wifi and can play poker without cards or chips while in the same room, so you get to watch your friend expressions. You can also make a hotspot of your phone without any mb used and play texas holdem when in long car trips or whatever.

It may seems like I am advertising, but that app was handy when I hadnt cards or chips and wanted to play poker with my friends.
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and without money.... better for mind to read a book in long car trips...

p.s.: good one manual
 
For the moment I am playing online, and the only home games I play are cardschat's. It is a different experience, because there is the physical presence of the players. I think it is not difficult to organize one in the future!
 
MrTerek said:
and without money.... better for mind to read a book in long car trips...

p.s.: good one manual
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You know you can agree with your friend that the "electronical" chips represents real money right?
 
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In the "finding players" section, I clicked on the link to Meet-Up and I found a local group for Age 40 + Poker Players pretty quickly. Looks like they have a regular game, so the article my have already helped me to find a new game. Thanks for including the link.

Good luck to you,
Brian
 
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Nice article about home games, thanks CC.
I also found a meet-up group in the city in the near, but it is writing, that it needs an organizator. I also was recently searching a lot around here and it is really not easy to find some poker clubs here. Maybe I really should organize something here on my own. It would be worth a try at least.

But I also have a question to others, who are experienced in home game tournaments. What are you doing with the people, who dropped out of the tourney?

Do you start a new side game or shall they watch tv till next game or shall they go home? 😀
 
excellent article Debi, I had never played home games in pokerstars my first time was in the SMC Tournament of Cardschat and it has been a good experience, the Cardschat Turners have helped me to improve and study my games, homegames are cardschat games are excellent and very bin organized, thanks to the MODS for being constantly renewing games homegames cardschat
 
I never knew there was a Tournament Director App! All this time ive been writing the Tournament structures and blind level on a sheet of paper LOL I'm definitely getting one on my phone.

I usually play home games with buddies, and my buddies' buddies in my living room. We have a lot of fun playing. even when i don't even know the people my buddies bring. they all know the basic fundamentals of texas holdem, so we don't have to teach anybody. Highest people attending my home game was 17 players, that's 2 tables.

Maybe i'll use some of the things on this article to attract more players and to impress everyone that'll be attending my home games.

Great strategy article for a home game!!
 
mackmasterss said:
excellent article Debi, I had never played home games in pokerstars my first time was in the SMC Tournament of Cardschat and it has been a good experience, the Cardschat Turners have helped me to improve and study my games, homegames are cardschat games are excellent and very bin organized, thanks to the MODS for being constantly renewing games homegames cardschat
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Hey Mack? The article is about physical home games at a residence. Not the Home games on PokerStars. 😛

whiskers77 said:
But I also have a question to others, who are experienced in home game tournaments. What are you doing with the people, who dropped out of the tourney?

Do you start a new side game or shall they watch tv till next game or shall they go home?
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If there are 6 of them, put them in low stakes sit n go. Little quickie turbos maybe, just to pass the time and keep playing.
 
Great thread Juicy when I play homegames I tell everybody to arrive at 6.30pm if plan on starting game at 7pm as somebody is always late,
I try to keep it simple 10,000 chips for 10 euro minimum buy in up to 100,000 chips for euro 100 buy in but people have bought in more if wanted later in night.
Rebuys available sit out available if need a break like a cash game structure blinds normally start at 100 and 200 but can go up later in night if agreement by players denominations start at 100 white 500 blue 1000 red 5000 green 10000 black,
Usually every hour blinds 200 and 400 then 400 and 800 500 and 1000 for example varies at times.

I do not use antes as it is time consuming always reminding players to post!
The most important things I found was to have a couple of table cloth felts as they can get destroyed my accident with people eating food or drinking beer,
And also have a dozen or more decks of cards as I often have to throw out cards due to getting damaged much easier than the table cloth.
I bought 3 large poker sets with good quality heavy chips over the years so you have plenty of chips for a big group of players and are not always changing denominations regularly.

Have the kitty with cash in a free spot on poker table so players see what they are playing for motivates them but separate the chips and get the person on your left to count each others stack before starting to make sure right chips received.
Normally keep rebuy chips in small padlocked box so drunk messing players can not just grab them and jump into game.
Then the main thing is to have fun and enjoy the night as it can get competitive.🙂

Have posted most of what I do in homegames above in different thread but realised there is more that I did not mention so will add to it.
A good sound system with music the majority like on as well not played too high or too low just somewhere nice in the middle.

I tell people they are not coming to a hotel to be waited on lol and as I do not drink alcohol if they want to they will have to bring their own,
But I do make sure to be stocked up on tea coffee soft drinks and biscuits or snacks for people to eat.Then the main thing is to pick a time and I find a quick phonecall on the day to remind them or see if they are still coming so you know what you need for seating and food arrangements some people even say thanks for reminding me I forgot.😱
Then the cash game structure I find is the best as some people will arrive late or leave early due to work or family committments and cash game structure does not interfere the flow of the game.
Then sit back relax have fun enjoy the game some homegames I have played went on for 15 or 16 hours lol🙂
 
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hugh blair said:
Great thread Juicy when I play homegames I tell everybody to arrive at 6.30pm if plan on starting game at 7pm as somebody is always late,
I try to keep it simple 10,000 chips for 10 euro minimum buy in up to 100,000 chips for euro 100 buy in but people have bought in more if wanted later in night.
Rebuys available sit out available if need a break like a cash game structure blinds normally start at 100 and 200 but can go up later in night if agreement by players denominations start at 100 white 500 blue 1000 red 5000 green 10000 black,
Usually every hour blinds 200 and 400 then 400 and 800 500 and 1000 for example varies at times.

I do not use antes as it is time consuming always reminding players to post!
The most important things I found was to have a couple of table cloth felts as they can get destroyed my accident with people eating food or drinking beer,
And also have a dozen or more decks of cards as I often have to throw out cards due to getting damaged much easier than the table cloth.
I bought 3 large poker sets with good quality heavy chips over the years so you have plenty of chips for a big group of players and are not always changing denominations regularly.

Have the kitty with cash in a free spot on poker table so players see what they are playing for motivates them but separate the chips and get the person on your left to count each others stack before starting to make sure right chips received.
Normally keep rebuy chips in small padlocked box so drunk messing players can not just grab them and jump into game.
Then the main thing is to have fun and enjoy the night as it can get competitive.🙂

Have posted most of what I do in homegames above in different thread but realised there is more that I did not mention so will add to it.
A good sound system with music the majority like on as well not played too high or too low just somewhere nice in the middle.

I tell people they are not coming to a hotel to be waited on lol and as I do not drink alcohol if they want to they will have to bring their own,
But I do make sure to be stocked up on tea coffee soft drinks and biscuits or snacks for people to eat.Then the main thing is to pick a time and I find a quick phonecall on the day to remind them or see if they are still coming so you know what you need for seating and food arrangements some people even say thanks for reminding me I forgot.😱
Then the cash game structure I find is the best as some people will arrive late or leave early due to work or family committments and cash game structure does not interfere the flow of the game.
Then sit back relax have fun enjoy the game some homegames I have played went on for 15 or 16 hours lol🙂
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Sounds like i should attend a home game in your country. Well it doesnt have alot of players that plays poker in my country so home games are rare. People usually go to casinos to play.
 
Home games are good if you are a beginner poker player, because in the most cases the players will be recreational. The chips is the most important factor. You need a solid amount of them if you want to make a table of 5 or 6 players.
 
juiceeQ said:
What do you think? Did we miss anything? Are you a veteran game host and have some more tips for members? Leave your thoughts here! 🙂


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The main thing you missed is that playing home games on PokerStars is different from your photo. It is impossible to compare the game in the family or friends with online game of PokerStars in home games.
 
Tony Vayer said:
The main thing you missed is that playing home games on PokerStars is different from your photo. It is impossible to compare the game in the family or friends with online game of PokerStars in home games.
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Hello Tony,

I think if you click on the link and read the article, you will find no mention of Pokerstars in the article or in the post you are quoting. Take one more look, read the article and comment again, I would like to hear your thoughts.

Good luck to you,
Brian
 
This month, for the first time, I took part in the home games of CardsChat

This month, for the first time, I took part in the home games of CardsChat at PokerStars. I really liked the organization, big stacks, good structure of the tournament, and not many people. This is a good opportunity to improve your skills and play in a warm club environment. Thanks to CardsChat for giving us the opportunity to participate in home games. Now I will try to take part in such games every month.
 
dimon4ik89 said:
This month, for the first time, I took part in the home games of CardsChat at PokerStars. I really liked the organization, big stacks, good structure of the tournament, and not many people. This is a good opportunity to improve your skills and play in a warm club environment. Thanks to CardsChat for giving us the opportunity to participate in home games. Now I will try to take part in such games every month.
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I think if you read the first post you will find that the topic is about home games at people's houses, not the home games at PokerStars. One is live, the other is online. Read the article that was linked in the opening post.
 
I carefully read the article about home games,

I carefully read the article about home games, and in principle I have nothing to add. The article has a lot of useful information on how to properly organize a home game. The main thing is to choose people who are serious about poker, and who are really ready to seriously play. As for equipment, chips, tables, chairs, cards, then everyone must choose at his own discretion, what he and his friends like best.
 
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