[shadesofgrey]

Here's the scenario: 1/2 NLHE home game. $200 max buy-in. Usually 10 players & a good amount of money and action. One player obviously has a problem, every week he loses... I've watched the guy dump $2k on numerous occasions (We normally play twice a week) and this guy simply can not afford to be losing that amount of money and we all know it.

Last Saturday, again the same, he dropped about $2k in 5 hours of play....

He didnt show last night, and we started talking about what to do. Its really painful for me to watch this guy play, gut wrenching does not being to describe it... He chases every hand, down to the river, and gets nailed over and over again. its borderline crazy, as if its only the chase that matters and not the cards/game.

He's a grown man (mid 60s), so we dont think its the house's responsibility to tell him he is not welcome - he's been playing with us for years (+5). I've talked with him privately and loaned him numerous books & even money.... to no avail, this guy just chases everything and eventually loses... He might win a few pots, but its just postponing the inevitable. I refuse to loan him money anymore (he pays it back) because I think its just enabling this crazy gambling behavior.

The host suggested that we put a cap on the amount someone can lose before they can no longer rebuy... He was thinking 3 rebuys max. Others began to argue that they have been way below $600 and come back. I think it would be a fair rule, even though its being implemented because of a single player. I argued that this is a home game, and not a casino. We shouldnt be there to take each others rent money - not that anyone is playing with their rent money - but you get the idea. its should be a friendly game.

Does anyone cap the losses on home NL cash game? if so whats the cap?

[littlebu]

I don't think setting a loss limit is the house's responsibility it should be up to the individual to decide when they should stop. It sounds like your friend here has a gambling problem and maybe should be urged to talk to a professional.

[dad604]

I also agree, no loss limit. It is up to the each player to set their own loss limit. He needs more help than house setting loss limit and it is not fair to other players as you have said that others have come back from a 3x loss.

I have my own personal loss limit but I would hate to have the house set it for me and would refuse to play.

[shadesofgrey]

Originally Posted by littlebu

I don't think setting a loss limit is the house's responsibility it should be up to the individual to decide when they should stop. It sounds like your friend here has a gambling problem and maybe should be urged to talk to a professional.

I whole heartedly agree!

Problem is, I dont really consider myself close enough to him to suggest that he seek professional help.

For me, I have a poker roll, and am very strict on the amounts I allow myself to access per session... If I ever was in the situation of being down $2k in a night, the last thing I want someone to tell me is "you should consider GA".... I dont know, it feels like I would be rubbing salt in the wound.

This is a real tough one for me.

[Quads]

Good thread / discussion.

I've been on both ends of it. I've been the guy who drops 3 or 4 dimes in a few orbits, either getting cold decked, tilting, or stupid playing. I've also sat at the table, as a recipient of another player doing the same thing.

As a player at the table, I certainly wouldn't want the house to say "OK, Charlie, you've had enough" However, as a good friend, I'd like someone to come along and say "Hey, Q, take your a55 outside and walk around until you get your head together"

Me as a host, I have had players who are just the worst guys to play poker with, and are complete gift shops (as we call them) and they are fine with it. I don't know where they come up with the money to drop in a game, but they show up week after week, game after game, and continue the bad play, the bad cards, and keep donating to the table.

If you know for sure the guy is putting himself in the poor house and using grocery money for poker, then I believe you have a responsibility (as a host) to politely drop him from your invite list. That's jsut bad juju to have a guy in your game that is losing money and putting himself deeper and deeper in the hole- and perhaps out on the street.

On the other hand, if he is a poor player, and dropping a dime or so in a game isn't an issue for him, then I say, it's a gift to have him in your game. He's a poor player, and when he decides that he's tired of losing money while playing poker, he'll either a) stop playing poker, b) study his game, and find points in which to improve it, or c) look to others for advice on improving his game.

Either way, he has to hit the bottom of the hole before he realizes it's time to look up and dig yourself out. When you have a problem, you have to hit bottom to see the light on the other end of the tunnel. As cliche as that sounds, it's so very true. (let me tell you a story about my drug days, waking up in a back alley gutter, my jaw broken after getting the tar beat out of me, strung out on dope, didn't know where I was, how I got there, and for the most part, couldn't remember the past 30 days of my life). That was my bottom, and at that point, I understood there was a different path.

Now, this fellow in your game, perhaps has a problem, perhaps doesn't. Perhaps has the disposable income to lose in a game, perhaps doesn't. If you have done what you have in mentioning it to him, asking about improving his game, validated that he's not going in the poor house, then I think you have done all you can do, and that the rest is kind of up to him to figure out. AT some point in time, he'll realize that his poker game (for the lack of a better term....) sucks, and he either needs to or wants to change it.

So, in not so many words..... No- I don't believe it's the houses responsibility to set a loss limit on players in the game. Set the stakes, run the game, and enjoy. Poor payers are part of the landscape of the game.

[shadesofgrey]

Originally Posted by Quads

I've been on both ends of it.

me too, minus the broken jaw and the 30 missing days... nowhere near that nadir of life! yikes Q.

this is a rough 1/2NL house & every successful person at this game has seen some highs & lows..... albeit a few decimal places shorter i do play with a player who won the OR lottery "$1k a week, for the rest of your life" - i believe he's 67..

i feel sorry for this other guy... but its his responsibility to cut himself off!
people joke and call him Santa356.. he maintains a perfect santa figure, and delivers gifts all year round.

i dont think he'll do much walking around the block... but i should find someway to cool him off after trying to play three cards in omaha for the 500th time. its should come as no surprise that santa is not a $3/6 limit specialist either...

the more i think about it, I agree.. a cap on losses is NOT a house responsibility.

i'll never host a $200-max buyin, 1/2 NLHE game, with 2 more rebuys.... nor recommend it.

Poor payers are part of the landscape of the game.

yep. i called a bunch of other players tonight... no way. the response was either move the game or play without a cap...

to be honest, i've never heard of a house talking about putting a cap on losses... before monday.

does anyone put a cap on their game? i am borderline its not fair now...

a $1/2 NLHE $200-max buyin, with 2 more $200 rebuys. thats just not right! is it??!??!!

[billsrcursed]

This is a great thread, and at the same time, a wake up call to the "dirty side" of gambling. It's guys like this that prohibit gambling to the extent it's prohibited. At first reaction, I feel bad for him. Mainly because it's one of those situations where the guy enjoys the game and company, but like quads said, sucks at it, and can't stop. My smart reaction, though, is that a grown man should be in control of himself, and if he isn't ready for help, then offering it to him is pointless. People seek help, and until they do, they are helpless. Putting a cap on your game is not the answer, it's a very temporary fix to this guys obvious disease, which is gambling. At some point, you guys are probably going to get sick of seeing this poor guy dump his money at your games, and you'll then decide to move the game, or let him know he's no longer invited. Maybe then he'll realize that professional help is his best bet, no pun intended. I pitty your situation,SOG, and wish the best for him and your home game buddies. Good luck.

- Mike

[weak]

Contrary to what others have stated i do think the house has a responsibility, especially in a home game.

You know he has a problem and he can't afford it. Good manners won't save his money, so you should at least talk with him. That's your responsibility as a host. You wouldn't let a drunken buddy drive, so don't let him gamble away his live either.

[Matthew]

He's an adult and has choices to make like everyone else. You've made a huge effort giving books and advice. He has to accept personal responsibility.

[RTBrandy]

We, originally, started one of our ring games witha $500 max re-buy....

It was put in place due to a couple of guys with more money than sense, that just rebought and maxxed their betting, amking the game more....cut-throat than we wanted...

when those guys stopped playing, we lifted the max, because some guys needed to hit that negative zone before they pulled their heads out of their asses and ground back....

So, we got rid of our limit down rule and, while there's huge mid-game swings, everyone we play with restrains themselves enough to keep it sane...