Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

Saw a thread like this on another board. As a host of home games, we see some annoying crap. Vent away in this thread.

Players aren't the only A-holes. I've seen some crappy tourney hosts as well. What have you seen other home hosters do that gets you angry?

I hate the rail birds who constantly complain about blind times because they want to get on to the next game.

I hate the host who is not consistent in their rulings. One player can retrieve his cards on a mistaken muck, but another can't? WTF?

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

Table captains

yeah, they can be helpful to the newer players- but when everyone knows whattheyre doing, they're a huge pain in the ass!

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

This might fall under "dnord, you should really stop going to that game" but there are hosts who don't really have a blind schedule. The timer goes off after 10 minutes and they just call out what the next level is, and I wonder if we don't occasionally skip 75/150 or 150/300 because he's bored or busted or the chip leader.

But that's about it.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

I play in a home game among friends, and guests of friends, so it's pretty casual and I'm not a nit, but here are a few of my gripes.
[*]Blinds do not go up at pre-specified intervals
[*]Raises and re-raises are allowed in big-blind increments - I'm used to a raise being a min. of double the bet. We play nlhe tourneys, and it astounds me when I make a pot sized bet and someone raises me 1 big blind. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] We have a mix of n00bs and solid players, and it's always the inexperienced players doing this, but I always wonder what they're trying to accomplish.
[*]Table captain scolding other players - We all pretty much get along very well in spite of the alcohol consumption, but every once in a while someone will get harsh with one of the new guests about a rule. I'm all for understanding and adhering to the rules, but there's no need to get obnoxious about it, especially with a new player.
[*] Someone not in the hand calling out possible made/drawing hands post flop. - They're told to keep quiet, but inevitably it still happens every once in a while.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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I make a pot sized bet and someone raises me 1 big blind. We have a mix of n00bs and solid players, and it's always the inexperienced players doing this, but I always wonder what they're trying to accomplish.

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You should pay attention and figure out what they're trying to accomplish, then exploit it.

For me, the most annoying players are the ones who mark the cards. A few months back I went through my setups and found a lot of fingernailed aces. Thankfully none have shown up in my new setups since then, so I think those folks are gone. Outside of that, we have one player whom I've caught ratholling twice. Next time, he's gone for good.

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I played a tourney once where the blinds were tracked by a guy with a watch. He went out before the final table and left. We played at the same level for the next 45 minutes (levels were suppose to last 10 minutes) until the guy who owned the chips decided it was getting late and he wanted to get going home also (he'd already busted out too). Blinds really jumped then.

At this same tourney table consolidation / player movement was also a joke. We started with 18 at 3 tables. My table got down to 3 with the other tables at 5 and 6 and no consolidation or even player movement. We just stopped playing / soft played each other until the other tables caught up with us.

I guess if I have a host pet peeve it's that if your going to run a tournament, then run the tournament.

As for the players. Come on guys, if you can't get it in the bowl when you pee just do me a favor and sit the hell down.....lol

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"Table Captain", what an apt word. A woman who was a psychologist at a men's prison did this all the time at a bar MTT. I figured it was because she was used to bossing men around. She could be pretty exasperating. She became even more so when we moved the bar tournament equivalent to her house. Especially when she got drunk.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

I'm a host, so my gripes are with players really.

The biggest one is that no one shows up on time, or maybe a few do so I have to tell the punctual ones to come a little late, etc. But let's say I want to do something, I have to put it off because I can't start it because someone might show up. It's extremly annoying, and makes me want to not host the games. But I've tried that and the result is basically no poker games until I take it up again, and I need poker as much as anyone else.

Said players coming and leaving their drinks/food wrappings lying around my house.

When people complain about house rules. We allow players not in the blinds to do the live straddle, doubling the big blind, and re-straddles are allowed (rare). Had one player who would question it everytime it was done and say he'd prefer if it was not done. Sorry, but if you're new to a game, and everyone accepts it, and also isn't really that rare, get used to it.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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The biggest one is that no one shows up on time,


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This one kills me. I am generally punctual, and call when I am not going to be there on time. Many times I end up sitting there with the host waiting for enough folks to show up so we can start.

If I did not consistently kill this game I would complain a lot louder:)

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

In my texts I say cards in the air at whatever time, and I start it on time. At first we played with only a few cause so many were late, but now everyone knows 7:30 means 7:30.

I forgot to say I hate the players who complain about a hand they threw away & then it hits.
"Oh man if I woulda stayed in with my 7-2os I woulda had a boat!" Makes me wanna killa a mofo.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

I deal with the players showing up when they feel like it by having a BBQ prior to the game. That way, folks are occupied until we get started. If someone is late and does not get a seat, too bad for them.

I was at a game where the host asked me to rule on a hand. I was like, wtf, it is your house, you rule. However, when I ruled that the hand was mucked, he got upset afterwards. Oh well, I left.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Oh man if I woulda stayed in with my 7-2os I woulda had a boat!"

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"You should play every hand."

For my tournaments, people seem to realize that the sooner they show up, the more hands they get at lower levels before food arrives and the sooner the thing ends. Also, I nag the hell out of them. I also don't plan on X+1 tables until we have significantly more RSVPs than are required for it, as there are always flakers, so that creates a waiting list. That gets folks there for the tournament on time, in order to keep their seats.

For the cash games, I have one nice table in the nice part of the room and one rather crappy table near the big breezy door. First come, first seated. But I really don't stress people arriving "on time" for those. We run from 7pm until 3am (or later) with a lot of people coming and going so, y'know, whatever. Why stress over it if we only have a few people for the first hour?

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Most people usually buy into our game for 40bb at the start but a few hours in most people are well over 100bb deep and the big stacks are 2 or 300. Then inevitably there is always a late comer who buys in for like 20bb and nits it up playing super tight.

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I usually host the games.

My biggest peeve is players never showing up on time or they reserve their seat and NEVER show. Then the next day I get a phone call asking how everything went? WTF?

P [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

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My home game is always NLHE tourneys. The only time I'll hold a seat is if you pre-pay. And again, I think if you consistently start on time, they will magically show up on time. You may look like an ass at first, leaving many players out by not showing on time, but you & they will be happier in the long run knowing 7:30 means 7:30.

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"Oh man, I'd have had a set" after they folded on the flop and off came runner-runner 7s.

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at first I used to do this myself- but it annoys me now to no end


rabbit chasing


stop being so results oriented dude!!

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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I usually host the games.

My biggest peeve is players never showing up on time

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Stack penalties, rather than just blinding them off, works for me. Plus, we cut off late arrival after the 3rd round (usually an hour)

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or they reserve their seat and NEVER show.

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Those people get dropped from the invitation list pretty quickly.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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My home game is always NLHE tourneys. The only time I'll hold a seat is if you pre-pay. And again, I think if you consistently start on time, they will magically show up on time. You may look like an ass at first, leaving many players out by not showing on time, but you & they will be happier in the long run knowing 7:30 means 7:30.

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Depends how far away they're coming. I have people traveling 30-50 miles, so I'm not going to lock them out at tourney's start.

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[preemptive apology for length.]

Weekly home game. $100 buyin NL tournament. anywhere from 12 to 20 players....After first couple rounds host will ask who's eating and order pizzas. Whatever the food costs (usually 40-60 bucks) comes out of the 1st and 2nd place prize money.

Lately, I've noticed some people putting in individual orders. turkey subs, salads, etc. Maybe I'm just weird, but does anyone else think this is kind of uncool?

It doesn't bug me enough to say anything, but on some level it strikes a chord--one that's inharmonious with the communal food/communal payment concept.

and it has nothing to do with potential prize money going towards their chicken kabob rollup. (although I bet the per-person cost of their subs is higher than the per-person cost of everyone's slices). it's more that I find it to be anti-social in a way.

Thoughts? (and should I have posted this in psychology?)

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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[preemptive apology for length.]

[/ QUOTE ]

AHAHAHAHHAHAAAA!!! you funny.....

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As for the rest:

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After first couple rounds host will ask who's eating and order pizzas. Whatever the food costs (usually 40-60 bucks) comes out of the 1st and 2nd place prize money.

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What's the buy-in? that could be a fairly sized vig for the 2nd place.

[ QUOTE ]
Lately, I've noticed some people putting in individual orders. turkey subs, salads, etc. Maybe I'm just weird, but does anyone else think this is kind of uncool?

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Given that the winners are paying... yeah, maybe a little blechh. Start having everyone pay in an equal amount and order whatever, see who sqwaks.

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(and should I have posted this in psychology?)

[/ QUOTE ]

no

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[ QUOTE ]
[preemptive apology for length.]

Weekly home game. $100 buyin NL tournament. anywhere from 12 to 20 players....After first couple rounds host will ask who's eating and order pizzas. Whatever the food costs (usually 40-60 bucks) comes out of the 1st and 2nd place prize money.

Lately, I've noticed some people putting in individual orders. turkey subs, salads, etc. Maybe I'm just weird, but does anyone else think this is kind of uncool?

It doesn't bug me enough to say anything, but on some level it strikes a chord--one that's inharmonious with the communal food/communal payment concept.

and it has nothing to do with potential prize money going towards their chicken kabob rollup. (although I bet the per-person cost of their subs is higher than the per-person cost of everyone's slices). it's more that I find it to be anti-social in a way.

Thoughts? (and should I have posted this in psychology?)

[/ QUOTE ]

You are 100% correct.

When this happens, relentlessly bust their balls about being gay for ordering salads and turkey subs. The host should just ignore their orders or make them pay for their own individual food when it arrives.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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at first I used to do this myself- but it annoys me now to no end
rabbit chasing
stop being so results oriented dude!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Getting annoyed: -EV
Encouraging others to play better: -EV
Discouraging people from chasing their long draws: -EV

I love for people to rabbit hunt.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

My games are not bothered too much by latecomers or no-shows. From day 1 of my home game, I have e-mailed no-shows once, then kicked them out for a second no-show. Yes, I have kicked out six players in 19 months for this.

I also let eveyone know the game starts at 7:00. No arrivals allowed before 6:50 and the door is locked at 7:05, so late arrivals have to call me to be let in special. I usually have several players standing around on my doorstep at 6:49, and it is pretty rare that we have any latecomers.

I hate to be a hardass, but hey, my games are always full and always on time. People seem to like it.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

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My games are not bothered too much by latecomers or no-shows. From day 1 of my home game, I have e-mailed no-shows once, then kicked them out for a second no-show. Yes, I have kicked out six players in 19 months for this.

I also let eveyone know the game starts at 7:00. No arrivals allowed before 6:50 and the door is locked at 7:05, so late arrivals have to call me to be let in special. I usually have several players standing around on my doorstep at 6:49, and it is pretty rare that we have any latecomers.

I hate to be a hardass, but hey, my games are always full and always on time. People seem to like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound like a nit. Why would people play at your games?



/I hope your troll account is a huge level

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My games are not bothered too much by latecomers or no-shows. From day 1 of my home game, I have e-mailed no-shows once, then kicked them out for a second no-show. Yes, I have kicked out six players in 19 months for this.

I also let eveyone know the game starts at 7:00. No arrivals allowed before 6:50 and the door is locked at 7:05, so late arrivals have to call me to be let in special. I usually have several players standing around on my doorstep at 6:49, and it is pretty rare that we have any latecomers.

I hate to be a hardass, but hey, my games are always full and always on time. People seem to like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound like a nit. Why would people play at your games?



/I hope your troll account is a huge level

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I just read his other posts, doesn't seem like a troll at all - doesn't say anything to piss anyone off.

Doesn't sound nittish to me, either, sounds like a good idea, and it sounds like he runs an efficient game. I'd love to play somewhere where I didn't have to wait 45 minutes for enough people to show up to start.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

I don't go so far as TrvChnboy, but I do think that players appreciate consistentsy. My home game is more hard ass than others in my crew who host, but they also don't get as many players as I do. When you allow lateness, there will be lateness.

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If you're going to tolerate lateness, you could just play backgammon until enough players have arrived.

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/I hope your troll account is a huge level

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LOL, I guess it does sound bad, but one of the reasons I have had full games every week for 19 months is that I can guarantee a full table that gets cards in the air on time every time.

We have our fun and have made some good friendships, but my game is more serious poker than social event, so that's an important distinction.

I wouldn't be so tough on family or close friends (but I would still check-raise them!).

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
/I hope your troll account is a huge level

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, I guess it does sound bad, but one of the reasons I have had full games every week for 19 months is that I can guarantee a full table that gets cards in the air on time every time.

We have our fun and have made some good friendships, but my game is more serious poker than social event, so that's an important distinction.

I wouldn't be so tough on family or close friends (but I would still check-raise them!).

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The home games I play in there is always lots of action with people coming & going. When people get felted it's always good to have "new money" enter the game.

Our 1/2 game plays like 1/15 (on some nights), and the 2/5 plays like 2/20. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Lots of chips on the table & everyone can't be winners. So the fresh meat (I mean players) is good during the course of the night.


Your game is obviously different. Nice job in keeping it running for over a year.

Re: Home Players & Hosts Peeves
 

It makes a difference if we're talking cash game or tournament. For my cash games, people are coming and going all night. For tournaments, I try to get everybody there on time.

The best thing you can do is just have a good game so that you attract more people. For my tournaments I usually have alternates, since I usually have flakers. If you have more players than seats, people will get there on time.

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Some of the guys in our group that host tourneys give bonus chips (as much as 25%!) to those who are on time or early. This has been pretty successful in getting their tourneys started on time with full tables.

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Whenever I play with friends, most who hardly even play, re-raise me by 20 cents when the blinds are 50/1.00

That or whiners, We seem to have to many of those, or people who critique your play when they get unlucky.