She can be the chauffeur for the weekend

I'm not even going to touch this thread

Interesting thread. This was not a big concern in my previous game, as all our players lived within walking distance (or bicycle). Moreover, DUI landscape in this Mideast country was rather different. (for those who care...the *law* was WAY more stringent...but enforcement was virtually non-existent as far as I could see, at least in our neighborhood).

That said...

A rather draconian but effective method which I have thought up while reading this thread (I haven't actually *tried* this).

1. ALL players (not just the "high-risk" ones) surrender their car keys upon arrival. Even the guys who don't drink at all. The keys go into a bag just like the buy-in money.

2. Upon departure, one must blow a breathalyzer less than .08 to get keys back. Everyone. Even the guy who drank Diet Coke all night. My thought here is that if EVERYONE is having to go through this, then "habitual drunk guy" doesn't feel like he's being singled out. And "Diet Coke guy" is sober, so he understands this and plays along no problem.

3. Guy who fails breathalyzer has two options: Taxi or couch/guestroom. Period. Phone numbers for two or three local taxi companies posted on wall of poker room.

I admit it's pretty over-the-top...may even keep some folks from playing in your game. But...you're HOSTING. Depending on specific circumstances and laws of your state, it's possible you may have some liability if one of your guests has a drunk-driving accident on the way home from YOUR house, where YOU hosted a cardgame during which YOU served (or allowed) alcohol.

Ideally this would be great, but let's face it how many of own a breathalyzer and would probably keep the casual player from playing in your game. Part of the problem I think is that most people don't host and don't concern themselves with issues like this so they don't even consider that it could potentially be a problem and that you the host could be held responsible.

The trick is finding that middle ground and even though I've been hosting for a while I still struggle finding a balance.