Home Game Banning!
I have a small issue and I am not sure how to handle it. Every month or so I host a small home game for a bunch of my friends (none of which are on the forum, well sometimes Shtebs but he's becoming all domesticated and lives too far away, the bastard). We usually get two SNGs in a night. Over the past year I have more than won my share and the rest of my friends don't really want to play with me anymore. Now here's the issue, I like to play with them and I don't want to seem like I am after their money. Should I start losing on purpose?
This is not a brag post. The skill level is very small and the night isn't really about poker but just getting together. If I wasn't winning regularly I would feel like an idiot.
This is not a brag post. The skill level is very small and the night isn't really about poker but just getting together. If I wasn't winning regularly I would feel like an idiot.
Comments
Second thing is the amount of buy in...I don't know what you're doing for a buy in but maybe consider lowering the buy in...for example in my home games I only do a 10 or 20 dollar buy in max..maybe a bounty just to switch things up. I know that I have some seperation anxiety from $100 but don't really have a problem losing 10 or 20 bucks.
Finally, Maybe your friends need to get educated....I know that when I'm going through a losing streak I usually invest in a poker book to try to improve my game...the library even carries some, I checked out "Harrington on Hold 'Em" from the Guelph Public library some time ago..that reminds me...I think I may have it in my bag still. LOL. But that always seems to help me.
No room for friends on the felt. If they can't learn to beat you, no sense in being dishonest about it. You aren't doing them any favours, and you just make yourself look bad. Could also be considered colluding to some degree.
If you are looking at the social aspect, you may just want to loosen your hand requirements.
I do something similar with my friends..I bring my A game and take the first sng and then for the next one or two that night I'll tweak the game to create a new challenge. Hobbes' suggestion of loosening your hand req' is a very good one.
Sometimes I'll also do things like:
choose some sort of crazy play and use it as often as possible..it'll up the amount of fun you have while not playing a great game.
one time I might decide that every button hand I'll only pretend to look at my cards and then try to play the player(s) based solely on reads/gut.
Show one card as often as possible-while putting someone to a decision. (make sure YOUR friends will get a laugh out of it first..mine do, but I've seen people get upset)
Talk unprecedented amounts of shit (again..make sure the audience appreciates it)
Make side bets..on anything..what your opponent holds, what card/suit is coming next..who is calling on the phone..what colour the pornstars panties will be..whatever you can think of.
These are the ways that I have fun in a similar situation-my point is that if its a social game- the objective is to have fun and break even. Find a way to keep yourself from being bored (and your friends from feeling as though they've showed up to donate) since the game is only an accessory to the real point of the night.
Hope my two cents helps..good luck with your game!
I didn't think they wore any......
but back to Flintbones, if you enjoy playing with them loosen up make large plays have fun don't play serious. Don't dumb yourself down but play a fun rather than serious game. sometimes playing for fun like that you end up winning anyways.
Dibs on a seat at Kristy's next Home game
It's not that they get upset losing the $20 it is that they keep losing it to the same person.
I think I like playing it really loose. I may try that.
Thanks!
what colour the pornstars panties will be..whatever you can think of.
ummm, I'll BE the seat at Kristy's next home game.
Top cash game pro's will purposefully allow the high stakes fish have winning sessions so that they keep coming back for more. If they lost every time the bought in they get sick of losing and quit coming back.
Some times losing is a +EV play.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a dive once in a while in this situation!
Caddy
Bingo. Forget playing incorrectly, wheres the fun in that? Perhaps for every pot you pull is another shot you take, that should even it up pretty quickly.
Lowering the Buy-in definately helps. The other thing I did was decreasing the time between blind levels. Since they play any cards that look pretty anyways, might as well force yourself to play a similar kind of game. It just evens the playing field a little bit more.
Get drunk - simple enough, I don't drink when I play seriously, maybe a beer or 2, but nothing that will seriously hinder my judgement. When playing with friends, drink more and I guarantee you'll loosen up. Makes for a much more interesting experience.
I've also stopped being rule man. You must show 2 cards, that was a string bet, folding out of turn, etc. Those rules were put in place for serious players. Your friends aren't watching what you're playing, they're not catching any tells.
Just have fun, you'll still probably win money in the long run.
Ipkiss