Hi folks,

I have seen throughout the many rooms I've played in "hosted" games where the host puts a certain game together on a regular basis. They generally seem to be higher limit and/or games that aren't usually spread.

I've talked to a few people that do this and all of them receive an hourly wage while the game is going. Seems as though they work essentially as a prop, and will even get up to accommodate a new player if needed ( maybe not always the case)

As primarily a mixed game and limit hold em player I would love to do something like this in the area I live (Sacramento) as I feel like the game could take off, and I would like a few regular games I could play in, and If I could get an hourly even better!

So, has anyone here done something like this? Or know of what I'm talking about and shed some light on how to go about setting it up and what to expect from a card room. Basically any information on it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

Do you have a pool of players to create a consistent game?

I'd certainly have to work on it, but I think I could put one together.

I'm basically just in the beginning stages of just considering this route. I'm mostly interested in hearing what people have experienced running these games, if its possible to collect some rake back from the house, how to keep the players you want in the game, etc.

Thanks.

I've seen these types of things attempted and most don't go very well. Never heard of the 'host' getting an hourly wage though .. interesting. Obviously it comes down to what you can 'work out' with the room, which I assume might, at best, be a reduced rake for your game as long as you 'guarantee' the game will run for x hours each week so they can staff properly and so forth. Some gaming commissions don't allow for private tables in the room/casino.

The best system I've seen is that a room will set up a 'game of the day' and they will keep a list of 'active' players for that game. Typically the players that start the table will be at the top of the list for the following week along with any other players who played in that game. Once those names are exhausted the room has no choice but to open up the table to anyone who wants to be put on the list.

I've seen where these games break down since the 'host' or a few of the players think they are doing the room a favor by bringing their game into the room and don't understand that the rules can only be bent so far to accommodate a 'private' table. GL

Thanks for the response.

Yeah the way i've seen them mostly ran is the way you describe. The host puts people on the list throughout the week and if they show up great if they don't the seat is open to anybody. So they aren't a private game, they just have a preset wait list.

The biggest reason for me doing this is to push mixed games in my area. I'm pretty passionate about playing non NL games, and of course getting new people into the games can always be fun!

Scott

I knew someone who did this at mid-stakes LHE many years ago. What you have to do is ask the room manager what he will do for you if you can bring a steady game to the room that they don't already have and that can take some work. The person who hosted the game that I'm referring to got compensated in some way that he wouldn't disclose, though.

Thanks for the response, Howard. Yeah sounds a lot like what I've seen as well. Generally mid to High stakes 20/40+ and games that wouldn't generally run.

Do you know where this game was? I know the LHE Host at the Bike in LA does this. He is well known for hosting their 20/40+ LHE game.

Props are/were common in the LA and SF Bay areas. It will be easier to pull off if the room you approach uses props. You also need a non-busy room or time, although there are hosted games in Bay 101 of all places. Don't know if they pay him though.

It was 10-20 LHE at Fort McDowell in Metro-Phoenix's East Valley ~20 years ago.

And you don't need to bring very much in order to ask for something for yourself. If you can bring a new game that will run 10 hours just one day/week that's worth something.

Do you lose at poker? If people want to play against you and they can build the game around you, that is helpful.

Man, I've been trying to for years, but just can't quite figure out how to. Now nobody wants to play with me. I'll try my best to do worse...I swear.