My home casino
 

OK, to start off I know all of the legal implications of this and whatnot. Don't post if your gonna say how this is illegal.

I want to start my own cardroom type casino at my house. This would be full-on, real casino atmosphere for the players at the comfort of my home. I would provide NL Holdem ring games, as well as a variety of other poker games if demand proves necessary, and Blackjack tables. Also 2-3 nights a week I would be hosting tournaments. I want this to be profitable, so there will be rake and all that good stuff. I will give comps, typically drinks, free fast food, pizza, whatever, for my good customers. Also will sell this kind of stuff on site. I am not sure about getting professional dealers or not, still weighing the pros and cons of that. My questions for you readers: What should my rake structure be like, for say $50, $100, $200 NL ring games? Also, would any of you(San Diego area) be interested. The main problem going for me is Indian Casinos, because why would people come here when the casinos are around. Also, I am a minor. So this could easily just be an outlet for kids my age, but it would be good to get people who play higher limits. Also, there will be some dead money in there because of the fishiness level of some of the people who may be there(rich chaldean kids). So, would anyone in the San Diego area be interested? And if so, what limits would you play? Recomendations(sp?) that would make it feasible for you to want to come and play regularly. Thanks guys.

Re: My home casino
 

Sounds like a great idea....

You could save money by having your dad be a dealer and having mom serve drinks.

Re: My home casino
 

id love it if one of my friends did it, im sure id be there all the time...i think the idea of "comping" fast food is really funny though...the only problem is that if its any good, it will probably get popular quick, word will spread, and that will be the end of it...good luck with that though...at least youre ambitious!

Re: My home casino
 

i knew the whole mom and dad thing would be coming. oh well. serves me right. but really, any suggestions, or just aint gonna happen?

Re: My home casino
 

heh, yea i liked the fast food idea was pretty funny too. but whatever gets them coming back.
thanks though, will need a bit of luck.

Re: My home casino
 

And maybe his little sister and her friends could do lap dances.

Re: My home casino
 

If you really want to do this, you should probably visit (and play in) a few underground card rooms in your area first to see how they operate. I'm sure there are plenty, even in California. Some of them will have a problem with a minor showing up, but you just have to find the ones that don't.

It's not really going to be profitable at the $50 buy-in level, though. $1/$2 NL is probably about as low as you can get and still make money at everything you want to do, assuming a rake of 10% up to $4.

Custom chips are a must. One local underground room I know of got hit for well over $500 in "counterfeit" chips earlier this month.

Dealers are a must. At $1/$2 NL, they'll probably work for little more than the tax-free tips. They won't be "Vegas" quality, but they'll save you a lot of hassle.

Security is a must, and you want it to be both intimidating and legal. Should you ever get busted, a firearms charge won't help matters.

Also, it's probably not a good idea to hold the game at home. Your neighbors will quickly figure out that something's up when you've got a dozen or two cars parked outside your house every night. Rent some commercial/industrial space.

I'd probably steer clear of blackjack. I don't know about California but, in some places, there is a legal distinction between a house rake and playing the house.

Once you've got all that sorted out, free drinks and fast food to keep your players happy is a very minor thing.

Good luck.

Re: My home casino
 

Any tips on finding good commercial/industrial space to rent? How much do you think it would cost, what should I be looking for?

Re: My home casino
 

I predict this will become the greatest topic of all time.

Re: My home casino
 

Any suggestions on how to find the underground card rooms? For about 3 years I've asked around during travels and the only ones I hear about are in NY. The ones in NY are even friend of a friend situations, I've been trying to find someone who can take me to one and that never even works out.

Re: My home casino
 

Be careful, you might get grounded if your moms n pops find out.

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
Be careful, you might get grounded if your moms n pops find out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or no dessert for a week. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Re: My home casino
 

I think the critical thing here is to be sure to schedule casino nights when your parents won't be home AND make all participants sign an agreement saying that they will remain completely still and quiet should your parents return home early.

IMO, these two things are a must.

Re: My home casino
 

I won't tell you it's allegal, I'll tell you this.
A) You'd definitely get caught. I think it sounds like a cool idea but kids can't keep their mouths shut, word would spread and other kids' parents would find out.
B) If your parents allow this they're idiots because I'm assuming it's their name on the mortgage/deed/lease for the house and if the game ever got busted they would lose the house (I think, not sure about Cali) and quite possibly go to prison.
C) In reltion to A, the game would be all underagers, no adult would risk going to a cardroom owned/run by a minor.
Nonetheless good luck,
Matt

P.S. Wouldn't it be great to be a naive child with such ambitions and imagination again???

Re: My home casino
 

You will need $40,000 to get this off the ground. $40,012 if you want to buy a Harry Potter DVD to play on your flat-screens in the "casino".

Re: My home casino
 

This is actually a good point that others have failed to bring up. Although I will argue that you don't need plasma TVs, you are still looking at a laundry list of things you will need to get this off of the ground, least expensively being chips, tables and some variety of vault. Cameras and recording equipment is a must as well. Everyone needs to feel like they are in a legit and well run room.

-Yarney

Edit: also, don't forget several decks of custom cards, of multiple colors.

Re: My home casino
 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!!!!111

OMG I burst out laughing when I read this. Priceless.

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
i knew the whole mom and dad thing would be coming. oh well. serves me right. but really, any suggestions, or just aint gonna happen?

[/ QUOTE ]

I vote for "Just ain't gonna happen."

Once you have one person lose their lunch money, your mom and dad will take all your casino equipment and put it on ebay, that'll teach ya.

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK, to start off I know all of the legal implications of this and whatnot. Don't post if your gonna say how this is illegal.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? You know that you'll get busted within a couple days? That your parents' house is going to be seized? This doesn't concern you?

Cool! I read on....

[ QUOTE ]
I want to start my own cardroom type casino at my house. This would be full-on, real casino atmosphere for the players at the comfort of my home.


[/ QUOTE ]

Full on, eh? Going for the full neon lights, pumped in oxygen, hookers, bars, lounge singers, etc? You are a god!

I read on...

[ QUOTE ]

I would provide NL Holdem ring games, as well as a variety of other poker games if demand proves necessary, and Blackjack tables. Also 2-3 nights a week I would be hosting tournaments.


[/ QUOTE ]

No craps? Slots? Pai Gow? What kind of crappy casino is this, anyway?

I read on...

[ QUOTE ]

I want this to be profitable, so there will be rake and all that good stuff. I will give comps, typically drinks, free fast food, pizza, whatever, for my good customers. Also will sell this kind of stuff on site. I am not sure about getting professional dealers or not, still weighing the pros and cons of that.


[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely don't hire any dealers. This would hurt your "profitability". Any monkey can deal Pot-limit Omaha, right? Oh, don't bother with floor personnel either. Let the guys at the table settle their arguments with each other and the dealer. Oh, you may need to hire a guy to get your alcohol for you - you being a minor and all...

I read on...

[ QUOTE ]

My questions for you readers: What should my rake structure be like, for say $50, $100, $200 NL ring games?


[/ QUOTE ]

This is the question you have for the readers? Amazing!

Probably can't be too high since the typical eighth grader is going to have a hard enough time scraping together the scratch for the $200 NL table...

I read on...

[ QUOTE ]

Also, would any of you(San Diego area) be interested. The main problem going for me is Indian Casinos, because why would people come here when the casinos are around.


[/ QUOTE ]

You nailed it. Those indian casinos are your biggest problem. Good catch!

I read on...

[ QUOTE ]

Also, I am a minor. So this could easily just be an outlet for kids my age, but it would be good to get people who play higher limits. Also, there will be some dead money in there because of the fishiness level of some of the people who may be there(rich chaldean kids). So, would anyone in the San Diego area be interested? And if so, what limits would you play? Recomendations(sp?) that would make it feasible for you to want to come and play regularly. Thanks guys.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, watch those slams against Chaldean kids! One of those guys took me for five bucks last week playing Chutes and Ladders. I'm telling ya, they are trickier than you think.

If you set it up, I will fly out from Virginia to play. I promise.

Keep us posted!

Re: My home casino
 

LMAO!! This thread will only get better...future classic for sure

Re: My home casino
 

I'm sure the kids will play after you comp them a happy meal [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure the kids will play after you comp them a happy meal [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Next on ESPN2, The 12-and-Under Hold'em World Championship, live from TwoRooks' 'rents basement! Catch Annie Duke's kids Luke and Bo take on Phil Hellmuth at the final table!

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure the kids will play after you comp them a happy meal [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Next on ESPN2, The 12-and-Under Hold'em World Championship, live from TwoRooks' 'rents basement! Catch Annie Duke's kids Luke and Bo take on Phil Hellmuth at the final table!

[/ QUOTE ]
priceless

Re: My home casino
 

You might as well go ahead and sell drugs. That way when you get raided during the second week of operation they can go ahead and put you in prison for a long time.

Seriously, there is no way that this will last. Its one thing when a bunch of adults spend their paychecks, but when a bunch of your friends blow their lunch money their parents will end this quickly.

Re: My home casino
 

I still think your largest problem with be them damn indians! Watch out for flying tomahawks or spears and having regulars disappear and turn up scalped! They might even place a curse on your house! White man stealing from the indians again! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: My home casino
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7.../screwball.jpg

Sorry, I couldn't find a picture of an underage idiot.

Re: My home casino
 

I know this topic has been covered pretty thoroughly, but I just couldn't resist this comedic gem.

First I wouldn't worry about REAL CASINOS taking business away from your parents living room, I mean your "casino"...

Also everyone knows how cheap it is to start one up. (maybe $125 right guys?.....)

If I were a dealer and had to choose between working for a legitimate casino and working for some kid in high school I would definitely go for the latter.

And even if it does cost more than your allowance to start a casino I'm sure you could just find all the fish in the area and take their rolls because you sound like a shark. So it sounds like you have a plan. When is the grand opening? Next week? I assume it won't take very long to get your idea off the ground.

By the way, shouldn't you be doing your homework instead of reading this post right now? <font color="black"> </font>

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
You will need $40,000 to get this off the ground. $40,012 if you want to buy a Harry Potter DVD to play on your flat-screens in the "casino".

[/ QUOTE ]

Just for fun, four poker tables and two BJ tables:

Code Description Qty Each Total
10-2010 Blackjack Dealing Shoe 6 Deck
Heavy clear Acrylic $24.99 $49.98
10-2030 6 Deck Discard Holder with Top
Clear Acrylic 6 deck Capacity $8.95 $17.90
10-BIGBJ2 Professional Size BlackJack Table w/Removable Armrest
Padded Felt Table Top $299.99 $599.98
10-4010 Clear Chip Spacers
Solid Acrylic $0.25 $50.00
10-5030 Clear Acrylic Chip Rack/Tray
Holds 100 CHIPS for all styles. MADE IN USA $1.89 $378.00
10-DEALER Texas Hold'em Pro Dealer Kit
Includes Dealer &amp; Blind Buttons Plus More!

[1:10-ltblnd--Little Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[2:10-5000--Real Casino Cards - One Deck:]
[1:10-5500--Professional Dealer Button:]
[10:10-4010--Clear Chip Spacers:]
[1:10-mblind--Missed Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[1:10-bgblnd--Big Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[1:10-kill--KILL BUTTON for Poker Game:]
[1:10-2040BLU--BLUE Blackjack Cut Card:]
[1:10-RESR--Reserved Button - Great for Gaming Tables:] $17.99 $143.92
10-REG1546BRI Copag™ Bridge Size REGULAR Index - Green*Pink Setup
100% Plastic High Quality $19.95 $239.40
10-5000-144 LOT OF 144 QTY Casino Poker Size Cards
ONE GROSS OF PLAYING CARDS

[144:10-5000--Real Casino Cards - One Deck:] $119.99 $119.99

20,000 chips...

10-DS25CENT Desert Sands Casino 10g 25 cent Poker Chip
$0.85 $680.00
10-DS1 Desert Sands Casino 10g $1 Poker Chip
$0.85 $8,500.00
10-DS5 Desert Sands Casino 10g $5 Poker Chip
$0.85 $4,250.00
10-DS25 Desert Sands Casino 10g $25 Poker Chip
$0.85 $2,550.00
10-DS100 Desert Sands Casino 10g $100 Poker Chip
$0.85 $850.00
10-DS500 Desert Sands Casino 10g $500 Poker Chip
$0.85 $170.00
PromoCode Promotion Code: LHNWXK
Code: LHNWXK Valid Dates: 3/25/2005 - 4/30/2005 Description: This code entitles you to 25% OFF your purchase. - Valid Product Categories: Casino Supplies, Slot Machines, Swords, Knives, Airsoft Guns, Billiards, Paintball, Medieval Novelties, Collectibles, Miscellaneous ($4,649.79) ($4,649.79)
Subtotal: $13,949.38

Plus:
Poker-Wholesale.com



Your Shopping Cart
Item Unit
Price Qty. Subtotal
Finest Wood Texas Holdem Table w/Cup Holders &amp; Chip Area

[Remove]
999.00 3996.00

Subtotal for Poker-Wholesale.com: 3996.00

So just $18,000 so far. Tack on another $2,000 for chairs. I'll assume you've got space for all these food comps (mom won't mind giving up half the fridge and pantry), adequate parking, and a computer to track your "player points". If you are going to rake, you'll have to have dealers, at least a couple of who will have to have some experience and can act as the floor as well, especially on nights when you have to study or something. You are going to lose money before you make money, so you'll need $5,000 minimum to pay your employees until you start bringing in enough to cover salaries. Same with comps, another $2,000 in reserve for that. Tack on $1,000 more for a couple TVs.

Maybe you could open the doors for $28,000. When is the grand opening?

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I couldn't find a picture of an underage idiot.

[/ QUOTE ]

Classic! I'm saving this pic!

Re: My home casino
 

I get the impression everyone thinks this won't work (included sarcasm here)?

While you idea is not going to work its cool that you have ambition. Study up, get an internship witha casino or something, see how the business really works and what costs are involved. And then maybe if you save up a few million or find the investors you can open a legit casino in the future.

Re: My home casino
 

Are you a better poker player than your friends? You can make a fair chunk of money just playing poker with them. You probably will have a higher edge just playing poker against them than you would banking roulette or dealing blackjack. Read some of the 2+2 books if you haven't already.

I think you ought to be very concerned about getting caught.

Time for a lame story. I got caught making book in high school. I wasn't taking that much money in bets. I had a notebook that I kept records in. The principal called me in one day and somehow had possession of my notebook. He starting giving me a great deal of grief about it. I pointed out that I knew that he had placed wagers in the "squares" pool at a local bar. (My dad was a drunk. I spent a lot of time in bars when I was growing up.) I suggested that he was being hypocritical and that it would probably be very bad for him if this got around. In retrospect, this was very foolish--I certainly would have played it differently if I had a chance to do it again (despite it working out pretty well). We came to an agreement. I was to keep the books at a much lower profile. I was to keep my fat mouth shut regarding his gambling. (I never saw his name on a pool again...I don't know if he started using initials or a pseudonym or stopped playing.) I wish that I had actually stopped at that time. I took a real bath on the '85 Superbowl.

Skip the casino idea.

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You will need $40,000 to get this off the ground. $40,012 if you want to buy a Harry Potter DVD to play on your flat-screens in the "casino".

[/ QUOTE ]

Just for fun, four poker tables and two BJ tables:

Code Description Qty Each Total
10-2010 Blackjack Dealing Shoe 6 Deck
Heavy clear Acrylic $24.99 $49.98
10-2030 6 Deck Discard Holder with Top
Clear Acrylic 6 deck Capacity $8.95 $17.90
10-BIGBJ2 Professional Size BlackJack Table w/Removable Armrest
Padded Felt Table Top $299.99 $599.98
10-4010 Clear Chip Spacers
Solid Acrylic $0.25 $50.00
10-5030 Clear Acrylic Chip Rack/Tray
Holds 100 CHIPS for all styles. MADE IN USA $1.89 $378.00
10-DEALER Texas Hold'em Pro Dealer Kit
Includes Dealer &amp; Blind Buttons Plus More!

[1:10-ltblnd--Little Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[2:10-5000--Real Casino Cards - One Deck:]
[1:10-5500--Professional Dealer Button:]
[10:10-4010--Clear Chip Spacers:]
[1:10-mblind--Missed Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[1:10-bgblnd--Big Blind Button for Poker Game:]
[1:10-kill--KILL BUTTON for Poker Game:]
[1:10-2040BLU--BLUE Blackjack Cut Card:]
[1:10-RESR--Reserved Button - Great for Gaming Tables:] $17.99 $143.92
10-REG1546BRI Copag™ Bridge Size REGULAR Index - Green*Pink Setup
100% Plastic High Quality $19.95 $239.40
10-5000-144 LOT OF 144 QTY Casino Poker Size Cards
ONE GROSS OF PLAYING CARDS

[144:10-5000--Real Casino Cards - One Deck:] $119.99 $119.99

20,000 chips...

10-DS25CENT Desert Sands Casino 10g 25 cent Poker Chip
$0.85 $680.00
10-DS1 Desert Sands Casino 10g $1 Poker Chip
$0.85 $8,500.00
10-DS5 Desert Sands Casino 10g $5 Poker Chip
$0.85 $4,250.00
10-DS25 Desert Sands Casino 10g $25 Poker Chip
$0.85 $2,550.00
10-DS100 Desert Sands Casino 10g $100 Poker Chip
$0.85 $850.00
10-DS500 Desert Sands Casino 10g $500 Poker Chip
$0.85 $170.00
PromoCode Promotion Code: LHNWXK
Code: LHNWXK Valid Dates: 3/25/2005 - 4/30/2005 Description: This code entitles you to 25% OFF your purchase. - Valid Product Categories: Casino Supplies, Slot Machines, Swords, Knives, Airsoft Guns, Billiards, Paintball, Medieval Novelties, Collectibles, Miscellaneous ($4,649.79) ($4,649.79)
Subtotal: $13,949.38

Plus:
Poker-Wholesale.com



Your Shopping Cart
Item Unit
Price Qty. Subtotal
Finest Wood Texas Holdem Table w/Cup Holders &amp; Chip Area

[Remove]
999.00 3996.00

Subtotal for Poker-Wholesale.com: 3996.00

So just $18,000 so far. Tack on another $2,000 for chairs. I'll assume you've got space for all these food comps (mom won't mind giving up half the fridge and pantry), adequate parking, and a computer to track your "player points". If you are going to rake, you'll have to have dealers, at least a couple of who will have to have some experience and can act as the floor as well, especially on nights when you have to study or something. You are going to lose money before you make money, so you'll need $5,000 minimum to pay your employees until you start bringing in enough to cover salaries. Same with comps, another $2,000 in reserve for that. Tack on $1,000 more for a couple TVs.

Maybe you could open the doors for $28,000. When is the grand opening?

[/ QUOTE ]

You thought about this WAY to much [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: My home casino
 

thanks hedge, alot of good points

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think the critical thing here is to be sure to schedule casino nights when your parents won't be home AND make all participants sign an agreement saying that they will remain completely still and quiet should your parents return home early.

IMO, these two things are a must.

[/ QUOTE ]

dont know if this is sarcasm or not. but anyways, parents arent a problem. my moms cool with it.

Re: My home casino
 

very true, a lot of good points. i think some of the things you listed arent necessary, and some of it i already got. but it does give some realization to the expenses i would incur.
i havent said yet, but i wont be doing this completely alone. this will be done with a couple other guys, who are rich, which helps. but thanks

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
Catch Annie Duke's kids Luke and Bo take on Phil Hellmuth at the final table!

[/ QUOTE ]

lmao. nh

Re: My home casino
 

The best advice I have is run an ad in the local paper. You also might try hanging signs on all the trees and telephone polls by your home. Yep, that's what I would do.

Re: My home casino
 

[ QUOTE ]
The best advice I have is run an ad in the local paper. You also might try hanging signs on all the trees and telephone polls by your home. Yep, that's what I would do.

[/ QUOTE ]

that was cute.

Re: My home casino
 

Shouldn't this be on Nickelodeon instead of ESPN2?

Re: My home casino
 

Make sure you hit the shopping malls, libraries, churches, and police station too. Those old ladies and cops love places like yours. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]