Playing in home ganes

[winningedge]

Do any of you have any home games that you routinely play in? I have one that I play in every week with some people from work, and I just cant seem to be succesful at it.. though I have a winning track record playing online... It's usually 6 to 7 people and theres maybe 2 other experienced players besides me at the table.. and I dont think I have any major tells or anything like that. So, I guess if anyone has any advice slated to these types of games, I would love to hear it because its really getting on my nerves

[olly]

It can be a problem playing with people you know. It sort of takes the edge off things for me. The problem is they get to know you as much as you do them which is probably why your not winning to often.

I only play for fun in games like this it's hard to take to much money off people you know even though sometimes they don't seem to have a problem taking it off you

[mindzero]

I trried this a few months ago. Didnt really work out because a guy got really upset when he lost $200 ... weird right?

But yeah .. I just decided not to go again.

[kelkat]

A friendly game needs to be friendly. $200 is way over our limit. You buy in for $10 for the first game and $5 for the second. By the end of the second, everyone has to get home to their wives. But it's fun and it's a break and it's really about hanging out together.

[pinnie]

Our home games are normally 50 or 100 buyin and blinds of .50/.50 or 1/1. Game is dealers choice including Texas No-Limit, Omaha Pot Limit, Pineapple Pot Limit. We are normally playing in a cabinet in a bar or home after coming from bar so after a while (and lots of drinks) game gets really wild

After few hours pre flop raises are at least 10xbb and still attract several callers. Those games are so much fun

[Liz]

This is on a much lower limit but I play every day on my lunch break with the same people. Now we just play dollar buyin. Then every Friday cash out whatever you have. We still have a lot of fun and even though its only a buck thats still a lot of us once you have to buyin a few times in a day. When that happens. Also helps to keep things where no one goes home and has break "the news" to there wife or husbands.

[kelkat]

I think the home games (or work games) are more about hanging out than about the actual poker. And that's what makes it so much fun.

[Liz]

Yeah they are all about fun. I mean you don't want anyone to really go broke. And with a dollar buy in no one is going to get rich.

[Teron]

We play with 10-20 euro buy-in and re-buy with same price. That's small enough to keep everyone happy...

And it's not too much to also have some drinks. Good time with the lads...

[playgirl]

Home games should be more about fun then trying to break your buddy. Not going to keep many friends if you are tapping into their wallets every week. I would say set a low min and keep it at that for a while.

[kelkat]

Keep it low ESPECIALLY if there are drinks involved. I don't know how long you can keep friends if you get them drunk then take their money .

[mollila]

Originally Posted by kelkat I don't know how long you can keep friends if you get them drunk then take their money .

Indefinitely if you are at our home games

[Liz]

Depends on how deep your friends pockets are.. But I have seem some people play 10 dollar buy in games like it was just pocket change.

[mollila]

For some it is, and for some not. But what I'm saying is that you just can't go easy on your friends when playing poker

[kelkat]

I have a feeling lots of us are just "passing the buck around" amongst friends.

I quess that's what a good home game is all about, though.

[Liz]

Eh some what passing the bucket between some friends where i play. There are a few people that just come to come and try to win but they play very stupid. So to say the least they always lose.

[kelkat]

How about bluffing in these games? Do you find it nearly impossible to bluff those that know you best, or is it that much easier because they think they know you so well?

[mollila]

Originally Posted by kelkat How about bluffing in these games? Do you find it nearly impossible to bluff those that know you best, or is it that much easier because they think they know you so well?

Bluffing is harder, and we see a lot more bold calls than at normal games. One cause at least is the satisfaction that one gets from busting out friends and having a good laugh on top of that

[pokerface]

I think home games are just for fun. It’s when you get together with friends and enjoy the evening having some drinks and playing poker. When I play with my friends it is for very small stakes. If I want to make money I go to the casino with my friends. Having a home game is just another way us guys can hang out and be guys.

[cardologist]

Playing home games is a lot of fun. A great way to socialize with your friends. I can't say its a great way to win a lot of money, since most of the time you end up having to pay for the beers if your the winner. I enjoy playing home games. I can play at home and not have to drive to the casino just to play poker.