Anyone have a poker night?

[Robb]

I'm thinking about putting together a poker night here in my little town, six people, rotating cast of usual suspects. I was wondering if anyone does one, and could instruct me or point me to places where the nuts and bolts of such a thing are addressed; namely,

- If I want to get some cool chips, what denominations make sense for the break-down?

- Will I go to jail if the cops find out? :shrug:

[citizen snips]

1. Does your state have legalized gambling?

As long as you don't play high stake poker games than you will get arrested.

[KensPen]

2. I have a poker night

It's May 17th 2006,
I can't wait.

[Mass_Liberal]

3. I wish

badly

[Beetwasher]

4. Last Monday of Every Month

we get together. I doubt the cops would be interested in a low stakes game.

We use 25c, 50c, $1 and $2 chips with a $3 max bet and 3 raise limit. Wins and losses can go as high as $150-$200 a game, depending on the amount of people. We usually play with around 6-8 people, but have gone as high as 10 people playing.

[arwalden]

5. "When She's Asleep I'll Poker To Wake Her Up"

[Zuni]

6. i do it all the time

and unless you are running a 24-7 illegal casino, nobody really cares

[soothsayer]

7. the grrrls and I have a poker night once a month

we rotate who hosts the thang (last month, it was at my casa---now I'm off the hook for awhile!). My house was cool, tho, cuz we (meaning me) were allowed to smoke cigars, which made it oh-so-pokery. Plus I have a slot machine, being the resident gambler.

Chips are cool cuz you can make 'em any denomination you want. Get cheap ones off of ebay, or I guess new ones aren't that much. It really depends on how much you want to bet. Chips can be nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars, $2, $5, $10----but the money adds up quick in those large denominations (which can totally be fun!)

[wysimdnwyg]

8. I've been looking for a regular game for a long time

Too many friends with families, unwilling or unable to give up time or money to a regular game.

When I HAVE played, we usually go the nickle-dime-quarter route. If you do that and want a fourth denomination, make it a dollar. I'd go with non-denominational (pun intended) chips, though.

As for going to jail, I would really hope the cops in your area have better things to do than be on the lookout for someone with a low-stakes home poker game. (OK, so I would really prefer they DIDN'T have anything better to do, but we all know that's not gonna happen.)

[beawr]

9. Well

We don't use chips. But Quarter, Dollar, Five Dollar would make sense. All depends on your max.

Jeez, I hope not. You would have to be living in the most Baptist place on Earth.

[wysimdnwyg]

10. No, he doesn't...

You would have to be living in the most Baptist place on Earth.

I live there (Nashville), and Robb is, oh, five, maybe six hours away, I think.

[Robb]

11. Actually

...If I can do the 1400 miles between here and Nashville in five or six hours, a friendly poker game getting busted is the least of my problems. :) I'm out in never-never western CO.

The truth is, unless it's in the morning when our police make all their money pulling people over for speeding through town, they don't have anything better to do. Still not worried, tho'. ;)

[wysimdnwyg]

12. Hmmm...

I was thinking you were in St. Louis. Oh well.

[alwynsw]

13. Who doesn't

American Legion Hall every Thursday
AmVets every Tuesday
VFW every Saturday
the list goes on.

[TheRedMan]

14. Some stuff for you

http://www.5stardeal.com for poker chips, cheapest place on the web. http://www.wedoitallvegas.com says they will beat anyone else's price (according ot a friend that bought some from them over Christmas) also a good place to look. I have the 8 gram diamond chips, friend got the 11.5 gram suited chips. You can definitely see the improvement in quality from mine to his, so it is sorta worth the money. I frankly don't care that much. Chips as are chips, and all function equally well.

Also, have an envelope for cash, and mark everyone contributions, and go someplace and get a lot of small bills and some change, to help facilitate payouts. Be very careful with the cash, because one casual, innocent mistake can cast a terrible pall on things when people feel cheated.

I recommend having a "cards speak" rule (Cards speak for themselves. Regardless of what hand you declare, you have the best possible hand you can make). generally keeps things less serious and competitive and more congenial.

Just some things experience has taught. We try to do this on a weekly basis here in ATL, and I running a tourney the 17th of the month. It's worth the effort.

[Exultant Democracy]

17. Listen to this guy, he knows his stuff.

If you are going to have more then 5 players you should us blind and double blinds instead of everyone anteing, it keeps the game moving faster.

[sendero]

15. I've been

.. developing an interest in poker lately. What with those poker shows on TV.

Poker, in all its variations, is a really fascinating game.

Anyone starting a game in Dallas? :)

[proud patriot]

16. I used to , but it's been awhile

:hi: fun fun game