[Small Fry]

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Aren't home games more fun when they don't strictly follow the established rules already out there?

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You tell me. Lets say in your home game you basically follow the standard set by "Robert's Rules" What if you go play in a new home game that allows string bets? Or What if a players verbal declaration is not binding? What if the rule is that if you put out a bet to call, unaware of a raise before you, your forced to complete up to the raise amount? The thing is these are all the "house" rules which you are unaware of. They were made up as situations arose over the course of time in this home game. Since the host doesn't know the "standard" rules it is rather difficult for him to explain how the "house" rules differ from the "standard". He also doesn't print them out. The only real way for you to discover these rules is to have the situation arise, like a player stating call being allowed to raise, you objecting, and the host informing you that it's allowed.

But I think your point is more along the lines of keeping it friendly, rather than being a nit about it. I totally agree. But I think you also need to keep in mind there are many different styles of "Home" game ranging from just a handful of long time friends to what is really a home casino. At your "friendly" home game you might choose to be a little loose in your application of the rules while the home casino might be more strict. And that's the way it should be.