home holdem tourneys

I have started to run some home holdem tourneys. Currently I take a small rake since I am the only one that holds these tourneys and I supply everything except alcohol. I am looking for suggestions to keep it successful. should I pay more places vs. less? Trophy? maybe bounty? All suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I'll give you my take on a home tourney. However, first I will ask a few questions......

How many people usually show up? Are they regulars? How often do you hold them? What is your buy-in?

The reason why I ask all of these questions is to get a better understanding on your structure.

Back in my home town I am part of a "League" that has the best setup I have ever been apart of. We are a "invite" only game. The reason we do "invite" only is because we don't want somebody coming in, getting pissed off and causing trouble. We have a game every other week and the buy in is $25 w/ unlimited re-buys for the first hour (until the first break) you can buy in for double the chips for $50. We use the WSOP blind structure and start out with 1500 in chips. Usually we only pay the top three places, while there are always at least 2-3 full tables. We keep a points structure. Our points structure is based off of the amount of players and what position you get knocked out in (so if there are 20 players and you get first place, you get 20 points, I'm sure this is how it works I don't remember off the top of my head, but I'm 99% sure). The points are important because we have a "Championship" at the end of the year that is only for the top so many (top 6 I believe). The winner of each event gets a trophy (usually a nice small trophy, nothing big, except for the championship event). We also throw in small bounties on the first three people knocked out at the final table (if the event is big enough). We also have a "best hand of the night jackpot". We also have drinks and thing, but we keep a lockbox with a money slot in it so people can pay for their drinks and help pay for the provided food and to help put money into the mix for cards, ect…(we have custom made cards and use a new set every game, we also have custom tables with the leagues logo).

We also have one big buy-in every year. It is a $500 buy-in event. We also run satellites for this event various times.

We are very organized and I believe that is important if you are going to be serious about home games that are ongoing. We have a board and rules if that tells you how serious the structure is. I’m not saying you should go that far, but if you make it an “event” people will love to get involved and will keep coming back.

Well, i personally enjoy playing home ring games. In tourneys, if your knocked.. your out and you sit there waiting on the next game for what seems like forever. Try a cash game and you can still take some rake! Alrighty, Gl

Hey Crummy, this league doesn't happen to be in Columbus does it? Sounds like a real nice setup.

I play in a weekly tourney style game. We get in 4 tourneys from 1:30 to midnight. We have a small buy in and a bounty. Ours is invitation only, although we have several members and sometimes have a couple of tables. No rake and no points system, just a good time to pass the afternoon.

mparker876 said:

Hey Crummy, this league doesn't happen to be in Columbus does it? Sounds like a real nice setup.

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No it is actually in Chillicothe (an hour and a half south). I just moved to Columbus in July.... I'm thinking about starting one similar, or at least getting a home game going..... I guess there are a few people in my community that have a game on Sundays, I just havn't been there yet....

Depends entirely on what the players want - you really oughta be asking them these questions, not us.

And FWIW, charging a rake is the most sure-fire way to get yourself in trouble with the authorities ever. Seriously, stop doing that. If you want people to chip in for whatever else it is you supply, get them to do it completely independently of the game.

I run this every 2-3 months (only time work schedules cooperate). There are anywhere from 14-20 players. Buy in is $25 with 1 rb and an add on. We start with 3000 in chips and a slow structure to start. It's usually an hour and a half before the first person goes out. I only started taking a rake after other players suggested it. I call it a rake, but it's really a fee charged for the food and the work done. noone has complained and everyone partakes in the offerings.
That

isnt it illlegal to rake at a home game?

pantin007 said:

isnt it illlegal to rake at a home game?

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Technically in most states it is illegal to even play cards for money at home, so what is a little rake to add to that. I completley understand and accept, or would accept if it were a home game that I play at for the person that is feeding me and keeping the TV on so I can watch the game while playing to put in a couple extra bucks to help cover his/her cost. So if the buy in is $25 I would be more than happy to put that $20 in and give the $5 to the house, obviously the re-buy/add-on probably wouldn't be put into the "rake" and would go to the pot.

that's "food"

So either way if you get busted your screwed, so why not cover your cost while your at it

I run a home game every week with about 25 players. I do NOT charge a rake. Like Oz said, that's a sure fire way to get busted. All you need is one disgruntled player to call the authorities and rat you out. This is serious business and I strongly advise you to consider asking people to pitch in for food and snacks another way.

At my game, most everyone is a regular. We play at my house every week on Fridays and rotate between three other houses of Weds. and Sats. Snacks and drinks are brought pretty much on a "pot luck" basis. Occasionally the other players chip in to help with the costs of playing cards, chips and other needs. Hell, they even all chipped in and got me a custom made poker table. If people are willing to pay a rake, they' be willing to chip in money before hand or bring supplies to the game. Taking a rake is asking for trouble with a capital T.

I agree with genso , that capital T can turn in to capital RICO ACT.
a continuing criminal Enterprise and a major felony.
hopefully they are working on our rights to play at home as well as online.
better safe than sorry for now .

We have a home game that runs an eight week series witha champions ship at the ninth week. 30 invited players. 25 dollar buyin. 20 to the pot 5 to the house. two events each weds. we pay 3 place each event 100,50, 25, the rebimder each week goes to the final. the final pays 5 places. but only the top 16 play. this event has a catered buffet and everyone can bring a pardner.

pantin007 said:

isnt it illlegal to rake at a home game?

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dont take a rake and freeroll...thats the difference between cops coming and just busting up the game or busting ur ass...

daxter70 said:

dont take a rake and freeroll...thats the difference between cops coming and just busting up the game or busting ur ass...

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HOLY COW DAX! I'm somewhat intelligent but freerolling never crossed my mind. Not that it makes the tourney any more legal but, hey, we're not playing for life changing money here. Thanks everyone!