Time limit (or minimum) for home games?

Do you guys typically set a minimum time limit for your home games? Not that I would ever leave early...as I am too addicted to poker . But, we have some guys that tend to run well early and then bail on the game, leaving the game short.. but they usually stay if they are not ahead. I have suggested that everyonbe agree to play until say midnight, unless you go broke (legitamately) before that. The afterwards people can stay or go form that point on. Is this too pushy or offensive? What do you guys do?

 

There should be some kind of protocol whereby people have to give x amount of warning before they leave, like a half hour or more.
I would not invite back someone who consistently took off after winning.

 

I will usually announce a time for the game, say 7:00 - midnight. If people have to leave early, they say so at the beginning of the night. A few of us will usually stay afterward, doing crazy bets like high card draw.

I've never had someone leave early just because they're ahead; that is bad form in my book. However, for a $5 buy-in, it's not like they're going to retire off their winnings, either.

bjjensen

 

Are the players who leave terrible at poker? Because in the long run, whether they play for 15-minutes-at-a-time or 5-hours-at-a-time, they're still giving you their money, so let them think that they are pulling a "neat trick" by leaving when they are ahead. Now that I think about it, if they are good players, I'd want them to leave when they are ahead too, because it will be easier for me to win after they are gone. If they are mediocre players I guess it doesn't matter much, but it is a shame they do not respect the integrity of the game and give the rest of you a chance to win your money back.

I don't think these guys are much of an asset to your game. If you talk to them, they might have some potential, but don't count on it. Find some additional players! And let these other silly people keep up their shenanigans.

 

If you hit and run my game, it will be the only time you sit in it.

Everyone understands that. And as a result, the invite list has been (and is always under) constant refinement. I don't want a guy sitting in the game who only brings one buy in. I don't want a guy who plays an hour or two and bails.

My biggest problem is getting people / players out before sunrise.

 

I host a small stakes DC game. I used to host STTs but now prefer the convenience of cash games - there's no rigid structure and people can come and go as they please. That being said, if I had players behave the way you described they wouldn't be invited back. You should find some replacements.

 

Yeah, I agree that the guys that are leaving early are more fringe players that I am not the most fond of anyway..I just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me taking it personally. I'm usually getting kicked out because it is so late regardless of if I'm up or not simply because I love to play. I think I'll just post some "home rules" that everyone can see when they come in.

 

For a ring game, there should be no time limit except for a ending time. Anyone should be able to leave early if they want but in my game if it is not for legitimate reason, they wouldn't be invite back. If they lose their stack, emergencey, or state in advance they are leaving early, those are ok. It is not good for the game as it leave the game short handed and most people do not like to play short handed.

Also in my game, ending time is mostly inflexible. We rarely extend ending time.

 

We don't care about hit and runs at our game. We do casino rules and that includes the lack of a time limit when sitting.

Then again...we don't usually lose a body before 2am on our Friday game so I haven't really felt the pain of having guests leave. On the rare cases where a one-timer plays and leaves really early it more creeps me out than anything...I mean when the time is open to play theres no way I'm electing to stop playing. Its the opposite for me.

A friend of mine imposes a half-hour rule.....you need to state when you're leaving at least 30 mins ahead of time. That seems to be a good friendly home rule.

Try to get more players and bump out the early birds by saying "those who will play until 1am+ will get preference". Hehheee

 

I think this is more of a poker etiquette thing than anything else and depends on the type of game one is running: more social or more serious. If a guy does it frequently point it out to him, if he continues, stop inviting him. I liken it to folks that are loud or obnoxious on golf courses, walk across your putting lines, etc; its just rude. Often, someone just needs to point it out to them.

 

I would create 2 documents: poker rules and poker etiquette.

 

Yup, agree. Leaving early is more an etiquette thing than a rule.

 

If my game starts at 6 then my earliest cash out is 11:00. If you only bring one buyin prepare to deal or bring beer. I have made exceptions.

 

Folks can come and go as they see fit with no restrictions - much like a public card room. No minimum or maximum times imposed either. When there are too few players left for the game to continue, it's a group decision to disband.

 

I agree... it's more of an etiquette thing than anything else. It's also a bit ubsurd to me as we do not play really big stakes and most of these people's lives will not be altered very much by being up $50-$100.

 

I completely agree with this. Leave when you want. I hate hearing "Oh, but they'll take away [insert number here] % of the chips and $ in play thus severly ruining the game." What's the difference between getting up and leaving or folding every hand if you double/triple up? Oh, you'll miss the blinds....okay, I'll toss a few bucks into the pot on my way out.

 

I play casino style for cash games. Come and go as you please. I haven't had an issue with people cashing out early and leaving us short-handed. Usually, it's the other way round and I have to call the game; otherwise I'd have players there until dawn or beyond.

 

That is why it is good to have a fix time to quit.

 

As mentioned, just bad form. It doesn't happen to us, although we used to have a few guys arrive with a minimum bankroll, they never seemed to leave early when winning, just when busted.


We usually announce "one more round" when we have to head out, or call it a night.


If it were a problem, I'd politely point out the behavior the first time. Again, as mentioned, if they are good... let them go, if they are bad, they won't do it often.


Doesn't sound like friendly behavior for a friendly social night.:?

 

How does this solve the problem? Would you be required to stay until 11pm (if this is the fixed time to quit)?