i just want to know the basic ideas, needs, etc. in hosting poker games? thanks in advance for everyone's help!

p.s. by the way this is my first time to the site! take care

#1 - you need players

#2 - you need poker chips, of some sort

#3 - you need a comfortable setup, table and chairs and enough space

Some other goodies are

Offer snacks or if you can swing it some food, Pizza, Cold cut platter, even chicken wings or porketta from a local place works well

Don't supply the booze if your gonna have it. In fact I prefer no drinking until later in the night.

Start a league with standings. In addition to the regular payouts get a trophy or something, this keeps people coming back to play, especially if they do ok in the first one. They'll want that trophy

Also set the groundrules beforehand! go to the WPT website and print out the rules of poker. the last thing you want is a fistfight or an overturned table, ending the game

i like to play with cards.
nice sleek cards.
smooth ones like a baby's ass.

secondly chips.

a nice surface. cards can move well, no reflections, space, etc....

beer and titties always a + to ocupy the time.

A deck of copags is nice.

Nice thick chips...11.5g is nice.

If you don't have a poker table throw a blanket over the table... makes for a million times better than straight on the table.

SUNGLASSES AND HAT

Originally Posted by PowerfulRog

A deck of copags is nice.

Kems are good too. On par with each other.

If you don't have a poker table throw a blanket over the table... makes for a million times better than straight on the table.

SUNGLASSES AND HAT

Or, we could not be a hick and use a table cloth . They make feltish table cloths.

And yes, Sunglasses and a hat are a must .

Some form of time keeper for knowing when to increase blinds.
there are some pc programs and some actual alarm clock type gizmos that keep track of the levels, etc.

^ Yeah that's very important to.

And Marm, stop insulting me for being a hick. This is a warning.

You have been warned.

Sexy hookers, no dogs.

1.) Decide if you want a tournament or just buying in and cashing out(ring game)
2.) Get your setup ready; make sure you can host it properly before scheduling a game
a.)cards
b.)chips(even cheapy plastic ones will work great for your first games)
3.) Get some players who are interested; make it fun for everyone
a.)pretzels are good snacks(not greasy!)


Don't forget to PRINT out some rules. Reserve the right to have the final say, but NEVER abuse it for yourself.

Try www.homepokertourney.com for basically every answer you'd ever have and lots of answers to questions you won't think of.

I host a $20 tournament every Thursday at my house with about 8-10 buddies. My advice is simple...

1) Have rules set in place and print them off and have them available. You'll never believe how often a rules question comes up.

2)Buy a decent set of chips, not junk. I have a set of 650 Las Vegas Nexgens and they have held up great! They sound good, feel good and everyone at my game likes them. I bought mine here.... http://mrpokerchips.com/store/index....th=336_486_284

3)Buy good cards. Copags or Kems, as mentioned are awesome. We were going thru at least one deck of quality paper cards during every game before I bought Copags. They are awesome and last week after week and still look brand news. 2 decks for $15 including shipping on Ebay. They will pay for themselves.

4)Do not let a player or players run your game. Let it be obvious from the very begining that this is your game and they are guests. You are just one of the boys till there is a problem or a question, then you take control. I know this sounds silly and I'm not saying to be a control freak, but I have had the situation arise more than once where people want to argue or vote on what should be done, what a rule is etc. That is your job as the host. Again, not saying you have to be a jerk, just don't be a push over.

5)Have fun!!