Home Game News

[studiopet]

You know, I really don't play home games much. Never really have. Been perfectly content sitting in front of my PC playing cards w/a beer. Anyhow, I was invited to one the other night by some friends so I went. 5 people playing.

Little stuff...started with 2K in chips (20$ buy in) and blinds at 10/20. Watched a little bit to see how things played out. Pretty normal fare I guess, loose play etc. Raises being called with the "have to keep you honest" motto.

I started out playing like I normally do, raising 3x the BB, betting 1/2 to 3/4 size pot bets etc. Everyone calling to keep me honest etc. Winning some, loosing some to hands like K6 off, Aanything off etc. Friendly game so no big deal. I figured I had to get paid off eventually so I patiently played, tightened up my game.

Finally towards the end of the game, I have a modest stack of about 3500 or so in chips and I'm on the SB with 4 people left. Dealt AJ. Every1 limps as do I since my PFR raises were useless. Flop comes 6A3 rainbow. I bet out 1K. This was a "large" bet for this table. BB instacalls. I figured I would get at least one caller based on the play I had seen and the fact that it took an act of congress to get the table to fold after the flop. Now this BB I watched all night win pots with middle pair, bottom pair, A high no kicker etc. I bought a couple off of him and I could tell behind his smile was a bit of agitation. Other two fold so its me and him. To be honest, I put him on a little A and I had it set in my mind I was pushing the turn since the pot pretty much represented the rest of my stack and I was pretty certain I was ahead.

Turn comes 8 and I shove. He calls and we both flip. I was wrong in my assessment when he flipped 88. Hit is set on the turn and was so proud. Naturally I loose and call it an evening. I wasn't really to disappointed as he was kind enough to call my post flop bet on a 2 outter but the conversation that ensued, and will more than likely tonight, kinda caught me off guard.

The table seemed shocked that I would make a flop bet like that and that I shoved on the turn. I debated trying to explain my logic to them but just smiled and headed home to go to bed (it was late). They thought I was all bitter because I didnt' rebuy. I told them I wasn't and that I loved him calling my flop bet on a 2 outter. I don't think they understood though.

So my question for you home gamer types is this. How do you play a home game where the concept of pot odds, PFR raises and hand percentages *completely* alludes the entire table? Sit and wait for the nuts? Mind you, prior to this game we had to discuss the following situation:

Flop is ??A 2 players left both have . One has little and one has QJ 2 Flushes but one with a Q and one with little . Some players thought this was a split pot. A 15 minute conversation ensued and it was finally sorted out.

I think when I see every1 again I'm just going to reply with "man that was sick" and leave it at that.

[2Tone]

Remember, poker is a game of luck and skill. Over time, the luck evens out, and the better/more knowledgeable player will always win more. If the goal is to win $, you want to be playing against the least informed, least skilled opponents possible. Experienced players aren't going to misread their hands or call with a low flush thinking they'll split the pot.

Against loose players and calling stations, pre-flop raises are essential, not useless. Use them to build the size of the pot, put pressure on your opponents, and induce bad calls. If they aren't the type to re-raise, all the better. You should be raising every time you enter the pot with a premium hand. Save limping for when you are in early position with speculative hands like Ax suited or suited connectors.

Classic typo

[Talking Poker]

The last time I was invited to a home game, when we sat down, they tried saying the blinds go to the right of the button and we go counter clockwise.








I haven't played in a game like that since.

[thrash1294]

that hom game must have ben south of the equater

[Invigilator]

I take a lot of pride in the home game that I run. We do a $5 NLH tournament with pictionary and cash games as side games (no betting on pictionary).

We get a lot of "different" playing styles. My starting requirements are really high if I am opening a pot in early position (early in the tournament. Once the chips have moved around a bit, I get more involved. It is a mine field though. I find I need to play very close attention to the kinds of hands that different players will call you down with.

[Reel Deal]

My home game is somewhat similar depending on who shows up... we do have a couple guys that "get it" and understand at least the basic concept of starting hand requirements, pot odds and the like. But we still do have some guys that play ATC and will stack-off very light (the "keep you honest" mentality). At first it was hard for me to bite my tounge when someone made a horrible play, but I've come to realize that some of them are just there to have fun with the guys and get away for a few hours. So, they don't need someone telling them why they played it wrong because (1) they probably won't get it anyway, (2) they might not even care, and (3) I'm happy to let them play poorly and take their money over the long run.