I count myself lucky to have a growing game but the problem as of late has been turning away players due to the game being full. I have the capacity to run two tables if need be. So my question is what is the minimum number of players you will run two tables for?

I'm going to try splitting at twelve. I have had to turn away guys the last couple of months after getting eleven on the list. I'm a little worried that turning away players will discourage them from attending future games. This has happened already and I don't want to fan the flames. On the other hand, two tables of six seems a little thin. I actually prefer shorthanded games but it might irritate others in the group. Splitting and merging the two tables as the night progresses also seems like it might be a bit cumbersome. Any tips on handling this? I know some of you host multi-table games on the regular. I hope to continue doing so.

What is the threshold to run two tables?
Two optimistic players who hate each other.

Seriously though, we play up to 10-handed. 11 or 12 wait for a seat. 13 splits to two tables.

How big is the main table?

For me my main table seats 8 so to run two tables I would say I would need 13 or 14. Part of the reason though I have never gone to 2 tables is because then what do you do when lose 2 or even 3 players. Play 6 handed and 3 or 5 and 4. Neither one would generate a lot of interest with some of my regulars. I think with 13 or 14 players you are less likely to be playing really short handed even if you get a bust out or two over the evening.

If one of the tables seats 10 then I think 12 is the right number.

As a host who deals with similar number situations, I say it's up the players. If your guys don't mind playing 5 or 6 handed, let them. If you've got guys willing to reload, let them play short-handed. I'd hate to turn guys away.

I have a 10-man and two 8-man tables. When we get to that 11 players number, I generally ask if anyone wants to play a HOP (Holdem, Omaha, Crazy Pineapple) game. if we have 4 interested, I'll join them in the split.

What do you want to do? What's best for your game? To me, accommodating as many players as possible is best for my game. We got a bunch of action guys that don't mind playing short-handed and deep stacked. They also don't mind reloading.

My big table upstairs fits ten comfortably. I also have an old eight man folding table that I took the legs off of and turned into a topper for the dining room table. Not the greatest but it works.

I agree. I hate telling people they can't play. It goes against what has made the game run over the years.

I used to make the cut off 14. It has only happened once in five years, twice if you count the tourney I did this spring. I'm nervous about dropping it to 12 mostly because one no show would be a problem and it is a bunch of extra work if I have a couple people leave early. On the other hand the game won't grow if I keep turning players away.

I will run one table up to 11, and we split 7-5 at 12. I don't like to make players wait, unless there is an immenient busto/non-reloado.

FWIW, I would never turn anyone away during the RSVP process. Just keep taking names, and be prepared to open the second table when number 11 (or 12, or whatever) shows up on game day.

No 2nd table option at our usual locations anymore. But when our octagon was filled, and the next player showed, a quick check with sitting players was taken about splitting. There were some nights a few wanted to play dealers choice and others straight hold 'em. Other nights, we had to squeeze in a 9th, and tell the 10th they had to wait for a seat, because there weren't enough guys who wanted to split.

If it were my home, I'd do it a similar way. Fill the main table. Ask the players about splitting, if the main table filled with more there. Other than planned MTTs, that hasn't happened at my house.

This question is really depends on space, equipment, cash vs. tournament, and preferences.

I have a table that comfortably seats 10, uncomfortably 11 but have squeezed up to 12 on it. We usually play tournaments. 10 is definitely one table. 11 is one table at my place but two tables at some others. 12 is usually two tables. I can recall only doing this once as we had a late comer who do not RSVP for the tournament and we did not have a second table prepared for play. We didn't want to disrupt the game for the 10-15 minutes it would have take to get the second table prepared, re-seat everyone, etc.

In the Friday I play, the host has tables that only fit 8 barely comfortably, 9 uncomfortably, and ten unbearable. The host hates playing short-handed and would rather squeeze us in at ten per table than have a table under 7 players.

I would squeeze 9, sometimes 10, into the main table, and let the stragglers wait. Then I'd give it 15-20 minutes for someone else to arrive. If they did or if they didn't, then I'd put the last arrivals on the second table, giving them first option to move back as more people show up.

Good problem to have! Congrats!

(The most important thing is to find a policy you like and stick with it... and not to put up with any guff from any complainers, because there will always be complainers. "Show up sooner.")

Our weekly (Friday) NLH cash game has been going for several years and mostly is the same people. We have a 10 spot table that is tight but comfortable. We have some players who show early and leave early, some who stop loss low and leave, a couple come late and stay till breakdown. The # 11 usually doesn't mind a wait! I guess we have just , as a group, adapted. Sometimes only 7 or 8 show and sometimes 12 or 14 come and go. So I don't bother breaking out a second table even though I have one. I would if say I might if 12 or more would show up at start time, which would be rare for us if ever.

Thanks for all the replies! I'm feeling a little better about splitting at 12 now. I currently have 13 confirmed for tomorrow night. There is some friend of a friend type last minute recruiting going on too. Maybe I can get a couple more lined up by game time. The biggest problem the last few months has been "maybes" showing up later after the game is full. Most of these guys won't wait to play and I don't blame them much. Seats tend to not open up until after midnight and the game usually runs until three.

My normal procedure is to start the game when we have five players. Others take seats as they trickle in. I think I will fill up the main table until we hit 11 and then I will split. Any tips on how to split tables? Volunteers? Draw cards?

Assuming we all started on time, we ask for volunteers for the move, then draw cards. The other table comes back over in the order which they arrived, and the table operates as a must-move while it's up if we have a parade of people showing up through the night.

Two tables of five is just fine. 10-handed sucks. When people realize they can show up and get right in the action, it will make them more likely to show up again next time. Well done!

We play one table up to 10. 11 we vote, two tables (six and five) or one big table. 12+ we play two tables, rarely three at 21+.

If we are playing stud, up to eight we play one table. At nine we have the dealer sit out. At ten plus we play two tables. I never had more than two tables of stud.

If we are playing draw, up to seven is one table, over seven is two tables.

I never make someone wait for an open seat -=- DrStrange