Home game question - it's gotten out of control

I tried to find a thread about this using the search function, but didn't come up with anything. Apologies if something similar has already been discussed.

I have a standard $1/$2 home game that uses standard casino rules except that we raise the max buy-in as the night progresses as opposed to a set limit. We used to set a limit but people didn't like it because at the end of the night, you would always be stuck playing short-stack poker against some monster stacks, which we all know is a disadvantage. By the end of the night, we usually allow a buy in of about $400, where as the max buy-in at the beginning of the game is $200, with a few people buying in for $100. It's a friendly game, and everyone is very cool about raising the limit when someone wants to buy in for more.

The problem is that we have some people that have started playing with us that have a lot of money and are playing very loose and aggressive, and the money is getting out of control. One time, we had two people go all-in heads up preflop for $1400 each, and neither of them had an Ace (KK vs. JJ). Another night, we were nine-handed, and four people lost over a thousand. Obviously, it was their choice to play that amount. I just want to illustrate how crazy it's gotten.

A few of the other folks who regularly play in the game have expressed that they don't comfortable playing anymore because the money has gotten too high for them, and a couple of them stopped playing already.

I don't want my friends to stop playing or quit early, because it is after all a home game and we're there to have fun. On the other hand, if people want to play loose, they should be allowed to do so. Has anyone in this forum encountered the same issue, and if so, was there a solution? Should we put back a hard limit on how much you can buy-in? Are there other rules that we can use to limit the craziness? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

maybe just have no-rebuys, have a set buy in for maybe $400 per night, that way you wouldn't get crazy bets because they would know that they only have that $400 and then they're done.

Um that is a bit crazy for a home game. But just play tourney style with no rebuys or maybe one rebuy and one add on at the first break. The way you guys are playing would be better of being play at a casino, that way you are taking $ from ppl you dont know. Plus with that kind of $ involved you have to be very careful to adviod any conflict ei. like a miss deal or a card touching the mucked ones, I mean its alot of $ to have on the table with no security gaurds around.

First of all, having a short stack is NOT a disadvantage in a cash game (only in a tournament). Have your uncomfortable friends read all the articles here, and I think they will be more than happy to keep playing in the game.

Your house, your rules - I say stick a $400 or $500 max buyin for the whole night and that should give enough leeway for both the 'scared' players and the maniacs.

My home game is purely for fun. We were playing a £2 rebuy, which with double rebuys was £4 a go with an add-on for another £2 at the break. Sometimes people would lose £20 but the average was about £10.

For me not a problem and to be honest I'd play loose (for a change ) because I could afford to rebuy as much as necessary. However for some of my friends £20 coming up to pay day can be a fair chunk of change. So rather than have people not be relaxed we dropped it to £1 rebuy.

This wasn't because anyone suggested it but you could tell that people were sometimes uncomfortable with the buy-in or not playing because of the cash.

No-one's getting rich off it, but that wasn't the point in the first place. And I'd rather enjoy a game with friends than take money they can't afford.

Irexes is correct IMO. First you have to decide who the game is for, your buds who can't afford to throw thousands on the table or a game to try to empty the pockets of the rich and stupid. My home games all use tourney style format, with limited rebuys. It levels the playing feild between deep pockets and not so deep.

Sounds like some of your friends don't have confidence in their ability if someone with a pocket full of money makes them uncomfortable. I'd be licking my chops. But I do understand that you want your game to be "friendly" as opposed to a blood sport.

Anyway, I have 2 different ideas:

1) Play Limit Hold'em instead of No Limit. The pots will probably be a more consistent size and the poorer players' mistakes won't break them as quickly.

2) Play a tournament instead of a cash game. You can adjust the blind structure to fit your desired game duration and the players eliminated early can either deal for the game or start a cash game of their own at another table.

Either way, good luck.

The advice is all fine and dandy guys, but the only reason this would be an issue is if there is a minimum buy-in that is too high. If you only have $100 on the table in a cash game, then EVERYONE'S STACK IS EFFECTIVELY $100 AS FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED.

It's a MYTH that having a big stack in a cash game is an advantage.

Really, a simple understanding of stack size as it relates to cash games and the non-existent problem disappears.

Absolutely true AG, but I don't think that this is about $EV, it's about funEV and the rules there are slightly different

Playing with a short stack can actually be an advantage as some of your commitment decisions are much easier. Remember the big stacks can't take any more than you've got on the table and that you can even intimidate the big stack(s) because they know, or should know, that once your committed you can't be bluffed off a pot and they'll need the best hand at the end to win.

Yes! Seems like the OP wants his game to be more....

Who is he playing with, Bernie Mac? If it's a big problem, then yeah, make a strict limit on the max buy-in. I like the idea of a $500 max for the night. OR, you could have one night for your "high-rolling" friends, and another for your more "timid, pocket-lining impaired" friends. Everyone wins, and you get two poker nights.

Is always offer a cash game much easier and more accessible and flexible to anyones schedule. Tournaments can get to long and a lot of waiting will occur. You will eventually start to see your numbers dwindle.