advice for running a good game.

[Josem]

1 suggestion to to cap the buy-ins at a lower BB rate than online.

eg, the casino here spreads 1/2NL with a $60 capped buyin. this has the side effect of reducing the good players' edges, and may make it more entertaining for new players (as well as reducing the size of pots.

[Fishwhenican]

What part of Montana is this?? Is it a touristy type of place or just an out of the way small town with mostly local action?

I was in Helena a few months ago and had a problem finding a game going with the exception of one place. The only thing I could see different at the place running the game was that they started the night with a small freeroll tourny. I can't tell if it paid anything out but it sure got a few people there for the ring games after that. They also varied what the game was depending on what night of the week it was. Some days were 1-5 spread some NL and overs available all times. They also ended up ordering pizzas later in the evening for the players which was a big hit and I know several people stayed later than they would have just to get the silly pizza. I didn't play on the NL night but I was there the next night for 1-5 and one of the dealers told me that the night before (No Limit night) was crazy with three tables full and going all night until closing time.

Billings sems to have a couple of places with games going all the time. One is a 3/6 Limit game and the other is a 10/20 limit game. Seems like there are also a few Dealers choice games that run frequently as well. Maybe that's an idea?

I think I would suggest running different limits on different nights and see what people like in the area. It also might be a very seasonal type of area with some parts of the year more active than others. Not sure what you do about that.