[Spaceman Spiff]

Article Title: Common Home Game Rules
Article By: Spaceman Spiff

1. Cards speak for themselves.

2. Checkraising is permitted. It’s not sandbagging, it’s not cheating, and it won’t get your knees shot out.

3. One player to a hand. This isn't a team game.

4. If you show one person your cards, you must show everyone even if it was folded.

5. No string-raising. The first action stated, for instance, “I see your bet…” is considered a call and is binding.

6. Please verbally announce betting action keeping in mind that the verbal declaration is binding.

7. A raise must be a minimum of the size of the big blind or the current bet or raise. For instance, the big blind is 200 and a player raises it 300 to a total of 500. If you want to re-raise, the minimum you can go is 300 more (the size of the current raise) to a total of 800.

8. Please don’t splash the pot. Place your bet in front of you and all bets will be collected into the pot at the end of the betting round.

9. Protect your hand at all times.

10. Any hand that touches the muck is considered dead. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident or not. PROTECT YOUR HAND!

11. Keep cards and chips on the table and visible at all times. Higher denomination chips should be easily seen by anyone at the table. This is a common courtesy and it helps speed up the game.

12. Please act in turn. Acting early gives unfair information to those who have yet to act.

13. Both cards must be shown to win a showdown. The last raiser (or first to act if checked around) must show their cards first.

14. With the exception of no limit games, there can be only 1 bet and 3 raises in any betting round. In no limit, there is no limit to the number of raises (duh!).

15. House decisions are final. If the house in involved in a dispute, a non-partisan party will be chosen to make a ruling. Click here to print.

16. If anything arises that is not covered by these rules, Robert's Rules of Poker will be used to make a decision.

Click here to print.

[Ranman]

Well done. Thanks.

Simple to understand in a brief clear statement. I use all these rules and will definatly use your list to make a printrd version for my players.

Thanks again

Ranman

[matill]

Hey Very good rules. But may I ask during a cash game, do you allow your players to buy chips off of another player?

[whataboutj]

Originally Posted by matill

Hey Very good rules. But may I ask during a cash game, do you allow your players to buy chips off of another player?

No. All chips need to be purchased from the bank. Otherwise players can use that as a way of protecting their profits while still playing.
J



BTW - holy thread revival

[trutan]

Originally Posted by matill

Hey Very good rules. But may I ask during a cash game, do you allow your players to buy chips off of another player?

I allow it but the cash used to buy the chips must stay on the table.

[beekeeper]

These are great--very succinct but very clear as well.

[Quads]

Originally Posted by matill

Hey Very good rules. But may I ask during a cash game, do you allow your players to buy chips off of another player?

Yes, so long as the cash stays on the table and in play.

[Quads]

From my house:

General House Rules:
1. Show up to play a strong, fun and enjoyable game.
2. Don't act like a dope, *******, rookie or Sally.
3. Please.... Remember poker etiquette.
4. Verbally announce your action. Verbal action, in turn, is binding.
4a. If the action to you is $25 and you say "I raise $50" the TOTAL is $75 dollars. You are raising an ADDITIONAL $50, based on your verbal declaration / action. Should you say "I raise to $50" then the action is at $50 and you are raising $25 additional.
5. The One Chip rule will be enforced for all games.
6. String betting will get a warning with a slap on the wrist and name calling, following offenses will be "donations to the pot" Continued offences, you will be asked to cash out and leave.
6a. Same goes for acting out of turn.
7. There is often a dedicated dealer for the game. Please assist the speed of the game by shuffling the second deck. (if in play)
8. If there is not a dedicated dealer, and you are sitting in seat 1 or 9, learn to shuffle.
9. I'm not a convenience store, a Motel, nor an ATM. So, Bring Your Own Beer, Smokes, Water, Soda, Snack, Food, and Money.
10. If you do drink, please, absolutely under no circumstances, get looped and then get in a car. I'll call you a cab.
11. We play cards in the garage, I often smoke in the garage. (doors open for ventilation of course) Be courteous to those that don't smoke. (let's not all light up at once)
12. Bring a chair unless you like sitting on concrete.
13. If the game is a $100.00 buy in and you bring a $100.00 bill, don't expect to cash out. Please bring smaller bills to accommodate an easy cash out.
14. All fist fights will be conducted in the front yard, after, and only after all side bets have been placed.
15. There is no rabbit hunting at this table. PERIOD. END OF DISCUSSION.
16. When you muck, you muck. No holding your cards to see what would have happened.
17. Smith and Wesson always beats 5 aces.
18. Take the time you need when needed. Please don't Hollywood every hand.
19. There are 3 things and only three things allowed on the table. Cash, Chips and Cards. (Only $100 bills play. No smaller bills)
20. Please don't splash the pot. Continued offences will be donations to the pot.
21. If you show one player your hand, you show ALL players your hand.
22. In a showdown, a player must show all cards in his / her hand face-up on the table to win any part of the pot.
23. Please don't verbally speculate on another players hand when there is action on the table.
24. If your hand / bet is called, the player calling your hand / bet has the option to see your hand if you fold.
25. I run a straight up game. If you are caught cheating or colluding with (an)other player(s), you chips are dead (no cash out) and you will be walked out of the game. If you suspect someone cheating, please bring it up to me OFF the table and AWAY from the action.


Sure-Fire ways to guarantee you won't be invited back: (this is a collective list)
1. Throw chips at people.
2. ***** about the game played.
3. Ask to change the game / stakes / rules (however, suggestions are welcome)
4. Hollywood every hand.
5. Verbally analyze every out of your hand before folding.
6. Leave your crap all over the garage floor, then leave. That big black thing outside is a "trash can". Please use it.
7. Put food or drink on the table.
8. Spill food or drink on the table.
8. Show up empty-handed and raid the fridge and or liquor cabinet
9. Badger someone into a political conversation, and then complain about getting ***** slapped.

Lastly:
If you get an invite, this is an invite for you and not all of your buddies. Granted, the more the merrier, but my table isn't a free for all. I host an invite only poker game / event. If you wish to bring a guest, clear it with me in advance. Show up and surprise me with a bunch of your buddies, and you're guaranteed to get dropped from the invite list

[whataboutj]

Originally Posted by Quads

Yes, so long as the cash stays on the table and in play.

I guess I didn't think about this option when I posted my "No" opinion.

I asume this would only be the case if you didn't have any more chips for the player to buy - in which case you need to buy more chips

[Quads]

Originally Posted by whataboutj

I guess I didn't think about this option when I posted my "No" opinion.

I asume this would only be the case if you didn't have any more chips for the player to buy - in which case you need to buy more chips

No, not really. I've got plenty of chips to cover the table.

Say a guy is stacked with 700 or 800 in $5's and someone rebuys at the table for 200. The player with a bunch of reds will offer to sell him chips, he takes the 200 and sticks in it his stack.

Makes no difference to me. The same amount of money is still in play on the table. Some players like lots of single denom chips, others would rather several denoms, etc. Just depends on preference I think.