How to get my friends into poker?

I

Iselo

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I'm pretty new to poker and I've been playing online for a few months now. I love everything about it; playing, reading, thinking about it and discussing it. The thing is my closest friends don't share my newfound interest and are cluesless about anything that has to do with poker (as I was 6 months ago). It really want to be able to play and discuss poker with them. So, what is the best way to introduce poker to them so that they will fall in love with it like I have?

I'm thinking about organizing some kick ass poker nights at my place (no real money) and take it from there..

What do you think, any creative ideas??
 
MediaBLITZ

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You have the answer - now get to planning and get those invites out.
 
Beanfacekilla

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I'm pretty new to poker and I've been playing online for a few months now. I love everything about it; playing, reading, thinking about it and discussing it. The thing is my closest friends don't share my newfound interest and are cluesless about anything that has to do with poker (as I was 6 months ago). It really want to be able to play and discuss poker with them. So, what is the best way to introduce poker to them so that they will fall in love with it like I have?

I'm thinking about organizing some kick ass poker nights at my place (no real money) and take it from there..

What do you think, any creative ideas??

I would try to have some money involved. It's just no fun to play poker with nothing at stake. Organize a cash game perhaps, with $5 buy-in, 2c5c blinds.

Get a poker table and some chips if it works out. Get chips anyways. But a poker table is nice for home games. Makes it feel more authentic, and they are about $130 US.
 
TheseNutsWin

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Create some home games but even that might not make them hooked on the game. Some people are just naturally drawn into poker some are not. I have some friends who like to occasionally play some small home tournament but they don't want to talk about the game. I have only one friend who is more into the game but he hates the idea of studying the theory of the game. He is one of those "I go by feeling" type of guy. It sucks because having friends who are regs can make your game a lot better. Where do you live?
 
domeburglar

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Yea a home game will be fun for you and your friends... it will at least get them to see what the game is all about.. but as far as discussing the game and really having people interested ive found its hard to come by.. and thats one of the MAIN reasons i signed up for this great forum! Now i have endless threads to read and discuss...
 
johndice

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Me and my friends love to play poker.. but nobody wants to be the dealer..lol
 
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Iselo

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I would try to have some money involved. It's just no fun to play poker with nothing at stake. Organize a cash game perhaps, with $5 buy-in, 2c5c blinds.

Get a poker table and some chips if it works out. Get chips anyways. But a poker table is nice for home games. Makes it feel more authentic, and they are about $130 US.
Seeing as most of them don't even know hand rankings I think it's best to make sure they learn the rules first and then throw some real money in there. I'll borrow a poker table and chips from my brother to start with and get my own stuff if (when) poker night becomes a regular thing.
 
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Create some home games but even that might not make them hooked on the game. Some people are just naturally drawn into poker some are not. I have some friends who like to occasionally play some small home tournament but they don't want to talk about the game. I have only one friend who is more into the game but he hates the idea of studying the theory of the game. He is one of those "I go by feeling" type of guy. It sucks because having friends who are regs can make your game a lot better. Where do you live?


[FONT=Calibri","sans-serif]That's the thing, I want to get them interested in poker for real so we can discuss the theory of the game, play online and eventually even take poker trips together. I'm pretty sure they would like poker nights but I want them to like the [FONT=Calibri","sans-serif]game and not just the social bit and everything surrounding it. I believe anyone could get interested in pretty much anything if you just introduce it to them the right way.. I’m just not sure what the right way might be.

I live in Stockholm, sweden.

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TheseNutsWin

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[FONT=Calibri","sans-serif]That's the thing, I want to get them interested in poker for real so we can discuss the theory of the game, play online and eventually even take poker trips together. I'm pretty sure they would like poker nights but I want them to like the [FONT=Calibri","sans-serif]game and not just the social bit and everything surrounding it. I believe anyone could get interested in pretty much anything if you just introduce it to them the right way.. I’m just not sure what the right way might be.

I live in Stockholm, Sweden.

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It's going to be hard for you to find someone who is into the game theory/strategy. It takes a specific type of person who would. Do you have friends that love to play strategy games? These should be your first target. People who love strategy and analytical thinking should be drawn into games like poker.

I had a group of buddies who loved playing poker. They used to play every week $40 buy in with unlimited rebuys with pots reaching $1500 a night but NONE of them would ever want to talk about strategy or theory of the game. Even worse when I spoke to them about hand ranges, what hands to raise with , etc. They would ALL laugh at me. Till this day they don't understand that this game actually is not all about gambling. So sure, you will find people who enjoy playing the game, yet none of them might be interested in the theory and strategy.

I wish you lived in NY. We could do some home games or something. If everything fails and none of your friends are interested in a deep discussion about poker as you would like it to be , your option is to make new friends. Look for some Swedish poker forums and try to find people who live in your area who would be interested in what you are.
 
dj11

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Expand your range of friends.
 
AlfieAA

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I dont think you should concern yourself with having (serious discussions) about poker with friends who dont know anything about it........its supposed to be fun!!!!!!!!........if people enjoy it enough to take it up on their own then you can chat about it......

If I went to a friends house to play and I didn't know about poker and they started talking about the rule of 4 and 2 and such like, I would zone out and down as many bottles of beer to numb the boring chat.........


In the beginning its all about fun!!!....
 
kltpzyxMrM

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In the states there are web sites for home games where people post their games or interests. I joined a few area meetups and get email invites every week. When i first started playing i was able to find games for myself and my friends and network and make new poker friends. This will also help you fill the seats at your own home poker games. I remember taking a few girls/friends whom never saw a pokerroom to Foxwoods for the first time, and they were flabbergasted. It was enough to get a few of them to start playing. We also have free poker bar leagues, the play is pretty poor, so I wouldn't play in these for too long. They are good to introduce newbies to the basic structure of the game.
 
D

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I'm pretty new to poker and I've been playing online for a few months now. I love everything about it; playing, reading, thinking about it and discussing it. The thing is my closest friends don't share my newfound interest and are cluesless about anything that has to do with poker (as I was 6 months ago). It really want to be able to play and discuss poker with them. So, what is the best way to introduce poker to them so that they will fall in love with it like I have?

I'm thinking about organizing some kick ass poker nights at my place (no real money) and take it from there..

What do you think, any creative ideas??
I use to run a no money tournament for my family and friends.. I bought a bunch of different chips that had fake casino names and denominations amounts printed on the chip. I would give these chips out for the prizes (I would pay 20% of the field).. The funny thing about this is before the tournament start I found show the prizes.. Yes you can win this 10,000 dollar chip from the (fake name of casino).. all you have to do is find the casino to cash in this chip.. Tournament was a lot of fun.
 
SYWTWAF

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This is interesting. Poker is pretty much a solitary pursuit for me because, like you, none of my friends IRL share an interest in it. I never try to get them into it, though, because I don't really care to play against friends for real money unless they're inclined to that sort of thing in the first place. I've always thought it would be nice (and productive for my game) if I did have someone I could talk poker with on personal and regular basis, though.
 
dj11

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Sweden eh? Long winter nights with nothing to do?

I will guess you are late teens, early 20's, and NOT in college. For all of us who made it past that stage of life, may I suggest this is a defining moment in that all of your friends are entertaining their own interests, which you might not share in. I would think that if you were in college, it wouldn't be very hard to find other folks your approximate age who were in to poker.

It is natural, it is normal.

For talking poker...this is why we are here.:D
 
TakinOver

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Man Im in the same boat. I have no 1 to talk about it with or share anything with. Unreal.. Sucks bad. I will look for some ideas here also, when i get a chance. I would love to organize a few house games myself. That is a good idea.
 
MediaBLITZ

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Here's the reality - you can invite 8 or 9 friends over and in the end you will be lucky to get one of them who will want to elevate his game to a point of actually reading a book (let alone talking about it).

A home group I was a part of has up to 20 participants on a Friday night. And these guys are mostly type A addictive types. I know of only one of them (outside myself) that was "serious" enough to actually get Phil Gordon's Green Book and learn it. He has been re-reading it for 2 years and has just recently purchased a Collin Moshman book. That's it. I actually have books in my office desk that I was going to give him (including Ed Miller, Harrington, etc) since last Christmas. They still sit there because he cannot be bothered with walking across street from where he works to get them. And i continue to remind about every month. I have even offered him a halfsies option on some coaching with known pros. Just not interested, So he (my main poker buddy :( ) is stuck at a basic level. Just this last weekend I asked him to call me so I could share some poker strategy info on a local tournament that would help him cash - no phone call. But when we sit down for dinner before a tournament he is more than happy to take everything I have learned (and paid for - including several hundred dollar sessions with top pros) and use it in his game. It's clear someone is getting more out of this relationship than the other. We even have 10% of each other in the tournaments we play together. Guess who is cashing more? I see a New Year's resolution coming.

MOST players reach a level of satisfaction in their play and just see no reason to exert any more effort into the game beyond playing the game. They feel like they know what they need to know and after that it's about getting lucky (getting cards). And they actually even look at people who continue to study as insecure rubes that need to forget about that and just play cards. What more could they possibly need to know beyond a full house beats a flush??? THANK GOD FOR THESE GUYS!!!!! That's where your profit is coming from!

So have your home game - make it FUN - get someone others involved in making it happen, like assign Johnny to organize some snacks. Have the iPod playing some great music in the background. Distinguish yourself as the guy who can play by winning - not talking. A some point a guy will approach you and want to know when the next one is and be looking forward to it. He might be a candidate, but is more likely just an action junkie.

Eventually (months down the road) someone may pop out as a guy who wants to take it to the next level. But if you are not dominating this game then why would they want to talk theory with you???
 
dj11

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Another reality, if played well, poker can be as boring as watching paint dry. To play it well will require a lot of reading, and playing, and will cost money. That's sort of hard to justify to a non-believer. We believers understand the mental/$$/time investment and know it is worth the price. We older players also understand that the mental gyrations are helping to keep us young.

Look for friends who have shown interest in Chess, Backgammon, or other non-violent strategy games. I am no fan of violent action games, but my feeling is those who favor those games, will not do good or will be bored silly with Poker. Easy for me to be wrong about that observation.
 
Jackle43

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"MOST players reach a level of satisfaction in their play and just see no reason to exert any more effort into the game beyond playing the game. They feel like they know what they need to know and after that it's about getting lucky (getting cards)." -MediaBlitz


This frustrates me hahah! I feel i will never really reach a satisfactory skill level of poker! It is a game i think i will never stop learning, and i think anyone who knows the game and is serious will agree with me on that.
 
dj11

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Another thought about getting your friends interested.

You need to throw those parties you mentioned. Kitchen poker. Not just Holdem, but every variant you can find. Dealers choice. You also need to cover the cost of the evening. Consider it the freeroll prize, a chance to get together with friends and share in what might be a good time..

Many of us have been 'hooked' that way.
 
MediaBLITZ

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DJ is right. I was thinking about this. I got into it via a home game a few short years ago my boss threw at his place. I only went as a social/political insure I have a job move. My buddy (referred to above) had to explain to me what blinds were about 10 minutes before we started playing. It was a $30 BI and I took second for almost $200. I spent the next month thinking - "I can do this" and then made my first trip to the casino (my buddy had to take me - I was scared) - spazzed out trying to keep track of all the things I had read about and went all in with a weak pair of kings and was out after 20 minutes. The next time decided to play like I was at the kitchen table and made the final table - "I can do this".

I would make sure you have and distribute some clarifying "house rules" before the game to avoid any difficult situations that could turn some guys off for good. Just a one sheet should do it. Stuff like,

"If all the players in a hand are all-in, they must flip their cards over for all to see."

"Verbal declarations are binding."

"String bets are not allowed."

You will also probably have to define some things. Some will read "String bets are not allowed" and have no idea what string bet is.

A Google search should reveal something like -


Please check your firearms at the door.
No smoking. No spitting. No farting upwind.
The house has the authority to close any game at any time.
The house has the authority to remove any player, at any time, for any period of time.
The 'dead button' rule will be used.
Do not place anything on the poker table except your cards, your chips, and your drink.
Keep your cards and chips on the poker table and in plain view. Keep your big chips out front.
Never touch another player's cards or chips.
Do not splash the pot.
Do not bend or mark the cards.
Only one player to a hand.
Players may not show their live cards.
Players who are all-in must reveal their hands when no further action is possible.
The cards speak for themselves.
Do not reveal your folded cards, either physically or verbally.
String bets are not allowed.
Check-raising is acceptable and ... encouraged!
Unless you suspect cheating, please do not ask to view a hand that has been called.
No rabbit hunting (seeing what the next cards would have been).
Chopping (splitting) blinds is not permitted.
Straddle bets are not permitted.
Insurance is not permitted.
Only the English language may be spoken at the table.
No speaking on the phone at a table.
Be kind to the dealer and to other players.
Immediately inform the Tournament Director when a player has been eliminated.
No cheating! Remember, a Smith & Wesson beats five aces!


Etiquette During Play
• Act in turn
• Keep your cards on the table at all times
• Act in a timely manner. Don’t take too long to make your move.
• If you are not in the hand, don’t comment: Don’t give advice or information (about the flop or anything) to players who are playing. They are supposed to pay attention themselves.
• One hand one player: Don’t give advice to anyone. Don’t pursue them to make any actions. Everyone is grown up enough to make their own decisions.
• Keep your large denomination chips in front of your stack
• Don’t talk on the phone while playing
Betting
• Don’t splash the pot.
• Don’t string raise.
Showdown
• Don’t expose your cards until the hand is over
• At showdown flip both cards at the same time.
• Don’t slow roll: Slow rolling is to pretend your hand is not good enough and take a long time to reveal your cards at the end while your hand is really the winner. Do not do it – it is very frustrating.

Don’t give poker lessons
No one likes to take poker lessons at the poker table, besides why do you want them to know the right play anyways?
 
woohoo sue

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Me and my friends love to play poker.. but nobody wants to be the dealer..lol
how about a roundhouse as dealer for the night.....say buyin is 5 dollars...u get 4 dollars in pennies/nickles for your 2/5 cent games and 1 dollar goes to dealer who doesn't buyin but gets a one dollar tip from all players so his one "sitout/working" night he actually wins through the tips so noone looks at it as a "bad" thing ...it also allows the game to be different each week through the adaptation of each character dealer and each of you learns the dealing aspect of the game through doing it.....some ppl are bad shufflers so a card shuffler might be helpful.

waiting on my invite!
 
MediaBLITZ

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how about a roundhouse as dealer for the night.....say buyin is 5 dollars...u get 4 dollars in pennies/nickles for your 2/5 cent games and 1 dollar goes to dealer who doesn't buyin but gets a one dollar tip from all players so his one "sitout/working" night he actually wins through the tips so noone looks at it as a "bad" thing ...it also allows the game to be different each week through the adaptation of each character dealer and each of you learns the dealing aspect of the game through doing it.....some ppl are bad shufflers so a card shuffler might be helpful.

waiting on my invite!

Add a zero to that and they'll be fighting to be the dealer :)
 
Daniel72

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In my experience its hopeless to explain non-poker players the poker thing, you can speak an hour about it, and then come questions, which show that they dont understand it. (they say its luck getting good cards, they think its like lotto or roulette, they cant imagine how to bring money online and how to get the money out etc., they have no clue about longterm things and little advantages etc.). Maybe i explain it not well enough to them. But i tell them all, the difference between games vs. automats (no chance) or vs. humans (they make mistakes, good chances) and the full program. Its hopeless ! Especially to girls lol. Now i use other topics.
 
quintass

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In my experience its hopeless to explain non-poker players the poker thing, you can speak an hour about it, and then come questions, which show that they dont understand it. (they say its luck getting good cards, they think its like lotto or roulette, they cant imagine how to bring money online and how to get the money out etc., they have no clue about longterm things and little advantages etc.). Maybe i explain it not well enough to them. But i tell them all, the difference between games vs. automats (no chance) or vs. humans (they make mistakes, good chances) and the full program. Its hopeless ! Especially to girls lol. Now i use other topics.
I 100% agree. Every one of my friends I've tried top ease into this poker thing of ours, has some sort of excuse not to pursue it further. "It's too complicated" I don't trust online depositing", "it doesn't sound legal to me", "all those sites are rigged"......
I gave up a long time ago trying to recruit friends. I played every kind of 7 card game you could imagine, during Christmas time, with 10-15 people at the table, most times till 3-4 o'clock in the morning, for pennies /dimes and nickles, it's in my blood. There are some things you just can't teach some people. Thats ok, there are more than enough of us to keep playing for a very long time. It's the freaking US governemnt we should be trying to recruit!
 
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