Paying for Food/Drink

[zycon]

Where I live the casino's do not supply free food and drinks, with the exception of the 3am buffet. When I host games I generally will buy some chips and ice but that is it. Everyone knows that it is bring your own booze and usually later into the night we all chip in an get pizza. Don't feel obligated to supply people who are playing a game you are hosting with free food and drink.

[psandman]

Generally part of being a host for any sort of entertaining entails providing for your guests, whether that is with fine dining or chips and beer depends upon the event. I would never dream of hosting my friends without doing this. Could you imagine being invited to a friends home for dinner and then having them present you with a bill? Thats not what entertaining your friends is about.

However if this is not just an occasional social event and is a regular game, its really not appropriate for your guests to allow you to host every game without some sort of reciprocity. And though for a variety of reasons it may not be feasible for them to physically host the game (they lack the space or equipment) they should be offering to take some of the hosting duties from you, either by bringing food and beverage or at least handing you some cash to cover your expenses.

So the bottom line is that I think it matters whether this is an occasional game you throw for your friends, or if this is a regular recurring game.

[SGspecial]

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My goal is not to make money here (although I feel like I have a small right to, as I always host and I provide all the equipment),

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Don't go there.

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3) Charge a flat fee to everyone who shows up and provide snacks and non-beer beverages (I don't really want to have a rake, because it is complicated at low stakes and slows play).

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No, you don't want to have a rake, because it's probably illegal.

I used to do a fluctuating fee, depending on expenses for each game. Now, I do $5 flat for everyone (INCLUDING myself, btw, even though I don't drink).

The problem you have is, your game limits are pretty low so the vig is a high percentage.

I would give your group either option 1 (and byob and s) or option 3. Let them decide, then go from there.

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Regardless of the stakes of the game, $5 for an all-u-can-eat smorgashbord with a wet bar (ok, just beer) and soft drinks is a great deal! If your friends complain, then they are nits and will be made low by the power of 4! Of course, if they go busto on any given night they may attempt to eat $5 worth of caramel popcorn to get their money's worth, but as host that's a risk you have to take...

[Lottery Larry]

Don't you have some pages to write, and a celebrity to prod into action?