Home field advantages?
 

Do any game hosts have any home field advantages? As a regular host for years now, I know there are disadvantages to hosting (pertaining to game play, not to mention things like having to clean up, etc.). My major disadvantages are having my game play interrupted for things like rebuys, dispute resolution, chip color ups, clock management (I figure most hosts deal with most of those too, but are there any advantages?

One advantage I have is that I am always seated at the table that becomes the final table, so if I last long enough, the other two tables will break down first, so I never have to move out of my seat (also helpful because it is arms length of the computer).

Do any hosts have any other advantages' either direct, indirect, subtle or obvious?

Re: Home field advantages?
 

I don't like the default of sitting at the final, so I sit at table #2 (of 3) and everyone else draws around me. While we all know the huge disadvantages inherent in running a tournament, I don't want to give the appearance of impropriety.

The advantage to running my game is that I get to run my game. I get to invite people I like, I get to have a structure I like, I get to have fun as MC. If you want to look larger, I now have a good network of people in all walks of life, and frequently have food, drink, and other gifts given to me.

Basically, I enjoy running the games, I have a great space for it, and a good group of people. It's one of my favorite times of week, and I bring in a lot of positive energy to my living space. That's a huge advantage.

Sadly, my play suffers the most. I'm surprised I still manage to finish as well as I do in tourneys and consistently finish up in cash.

Re: Home field advantages?
 

I agree with what both you and PFap said. The advantages I think you gain are not so much on an individual game / hand level, but more like meta game. The reality is your overall playing ability probably suffers a little because of all the distractions.

I think the real positive about running a tournament is the same as hosting any other type of party. You get to bring a bunch of people together to have a good time and enjoy their company and your hospitality.

Another advantage not really touched on is you can create a game geared toward your strengths or of a style / format you like. While this may not give you any real advantage, at least it doesn't add another disadvantage to the rest of the distractions. Your also in control. I don't play in a lot of home games outside of mine but the ones I have have been poorly run. I understand this going in but it can still get a little frustrating at times when the blinds don't go up when they're suppose to or chip ups don't happen and everyone has tons of small value chips (5's and 25's) and the blinds are like 200/400.

I also seat myself at what ends up being the final table. I do this mainly to be close to the computer running the Tourney program. And the reason the computer sits where it is is the need for the AV projector diplaying the screen up on the wall. If not for that I would just seat myself randomly.

I think if you do create a structure / atmosphere that gives you an obvious advantage, your game won't last long

Re: Home field advantages?
 

As the host, I control the invitation list, manage the environment and mediate conflict should it occur. I make sure my guests have a good time and want to keep coming back. I escort the broke players out the door and chat briefly about their bad fortune and their noteworthy successes, even if I miss a hand or two.

"Bad boys" of poker don't get invited back to my game, win or lose. Even guys who are rude and nasty at other venues clean up their act for my games. We certainly have fun at each other's expense - but the weakest of the players are off limits.

The net effect of all of this TLC is that the worst of the players keep coming back and losing because they have a good time and no one makes fun of them. As host, I don't have any advantage over the other players, but I think the EV of games I host are higher than the other games I play simply due to player selection.

Oh, and let's not forget my games are more fun too.

DrStrange

Re: Home field advantages?
 

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I don't like the default of sitting at the final, so I sit at table #2 (of 3) and everyone else draws around me. While we all know the huge disadvantages inherent in running a tournament, I don't want to give the appearance of impropriety.

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I don't have a problem with the host always placed at the FT because they typically set it up so that it's the seat that gives them the easiest access to make change, add chips for rebuys, get latecomers seated, answer calls, etc.

Re: Home field advantages?
 

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Sadly, my play suffers the most. I'm surprised I still manage to finish as well as I do in tourneys

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Amen, brother

Re: Home field advantages?
 

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Sadly, my play suffers the most. I'm surprised I still manage to finish as well as I do in tourneys and consistently finish up in cash.

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Thinly veiled brag post?

Re: Home field advantages?
 

Yeah, probably. I'm a rockstar of microstakes home games!