[ky70]

I'm approaching the 2 and a 1/2 year mark of my home game and I am curious how long others have been running/attending their ongoing home games.

My very 1st home game had 6 players and none of us had ever played poker before this kickoff. We've been playing ever since and only 1 of the original 6 didn't catch the poker bug and continue to come. I run tournament games once a month and track the results as part of our poker league (and try to squeeze in a separate cash game night when there's interest). In the middle of 2006, I considered scrapping the league/standing game concept as I was frustrated with low turnout and was considering just having a game when player interest was expressed. This is our 3rd poker season and the first in which there will be a payout at season's end based to the top finishing positions. I got the players to agree to paying a league fee before every tourney (100% to be paid out at season's end) and there is definite increase in interest with money on the line based on your league results. The roster of regular players is now at 12 and the game is off life support and as healthy as it's ever been.

What's the story/history behind your home game?

[Wylecoyo]

My home game had been going for a little more than 2 years straight; however, all good things must come to an end. Played a game Wednesday evening afte which two of my neighbors whom I thought were friends accused me of rebuying without paying - a whopping $10.00. No larger insult could ever be levied against me as I value my honor above all else and I am super-nova pissed even after a day and a half of cooling off time.

Looks as if the home game is off indefinately. Good thing I am leaving the country for an extended period of time.

[TC Valdez]

I run a league. We just completed on year on 3-6-07.

12-14 players a week.

[MeridianFC]

Just about 10 years. We've been on hiatus for the past few months because of the arrival of my second wee girl (I'm raising my own dealers and floor staff). It was born out of some initial playing with change drunk after going to the bar sessions. Oddly enough once we (or I) got serious it got serious (or "serious" if you prefer) pretty quickly. Since this is Chiptalk, you'll be pleased/shocked/angered to know that the fist set of chips were Paulson.

[RTBrandy]

I started my weekly tourney in April of '05...

now, we average 16 players on a monday night...it's been a great trip so far...

[Joe Bass]

About a 1&1/2 years here.

Neighbors, friends and wives all started playing a bit in the fall of '05. As w/ most things, I subscribe to the philosophy "what's worth doin, 's worth doin' right". So most of us have gotten to be much better players.

Somewhere around that time me and a couple of neighbors went in 3-ways on a used kegerator. It was supposed to travel back and forth between our houses (it's on wheels) between keg changes, but everyone prefers to keep it at my house. Well w/ the kegerator, 1,700 Faux Clays, 700 Sopranos, several Modiano, Kem and Copag set-up, and after building a poker table, the game pretty much stays at my house. We have a standing low buy-in NLHE Tourney every Fri. night that gets 6-8 people regularly. I've been looking into starting-up a Tournement of Champions, and plan to introduce one in the next few weeks.

Knowing I have a standing Friday night game sure gives me something to look forward to at the end of the work week.

[Buzzerbeater]

Our current cash game has been running for about 8 months or so. My friend's tourney has been going for about three or four years. But my best bud and I have been holding poker games off and on for 15 years or so.

[BPTDirector]

Got my home game going 3 1/2 years ago. It was sporadic at first, 16 players the first two events, but then I made it a league type thing 3 years ago and have averaged around 28 players once a month starting in September, ending in April, and taking the summer off.

My first set was a mixture of Paulson Starbursts which I used for $25's and FLV 100's that I bought right before Paulson stopped making the 8 hat and cane home version chips. I still miss those....but now have custom Chipco's and custom ASM's along with a side game set of Paulson retired casino roulette chips.

The game is very competitive with a lot of guys catching the bug, reading books, playing online, etc.... A lot of other guys there have also bought their own custom chips in the last 3 years, and we get together on my hiatus months at someone else's house in their garage, or wherever there is room.

BPT

[Quads]

6 or so years evolving from a few different groups of players. Prior to that, still hosting / playing home games, but not as regular as a host. Played in other games more than I hosted.

[Double Eagle]

I've been playing in one cash game for over seven years. The group itself has been playing for over 20 years! Yes, most of us are over 50. Most (but not me) like to play dealer choice mixed games, especially stud games and draw games. I prefer hold'em and omaha 8.

I also play in a NL cash game every week that we started up last Nov. Most of the players here are a bit younger, but with a good mix.

Both games have been good for my bankroll.