Quote:
Originally Posted by SoBi88
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I am asked regularly (mostly by non-poker players) why I don't play in home games or underground games and the answer is simple: security. In an unregulated game, it would be much easier to cheat, collude, mark cards, etc. .....
I've been to too many home games over the years that were loosely run and are risky just as SoBi88 says. My home game is governed by extensive rules and I enforce them. The cards have to be cut, a cut card has to be used, any player can call for a deck change between deals and/or seat change, anyone can call to shuffle the deck, couples can't sit together, and you can leave anytime win or loose. My house rules are on my web site for anyone to look at.
If I catch someone cheating they forfeit all their chips:
31. Cheaters Beware! If you are caught cheating you will forfeit ALL your chips and be asked to leave. This includes collusion. You will not receive any cash from the bank and you will be barred from the game. The current pot will be awarded to the last active player with the highest hand. All remaining chips from the cheater’s stack will be divided equally between the other players including those who may have busted out during the game. I hope that I never have to enforce this rule.
As to fake chips, I have all my clay chips denominated and monogrammed and I inventory them after every game. I'm going on 20 years using them and I have not lost any chips so far. While not impossible to counterfeit it would cost them more in getting the chip made that what they would get. Who would counterfeit a $1 chip? I know how many $10 chips are out at any time.
I vet all players and never have more than 8 players. I never play at underground games either. It's just to risky. I wish my state have legal poker rooms as well but it doesn't. Thus I have to run my own game or travel.