Home Games

I've been playing in home games. I have long had the attitude that I will play in any game, no matter the stakes, the structure, or the company, provided the rake is not too high. It has found me in all sorts of games that I might not normally seek out -- and I've enjoyed every one.

This past couple of weeks found me in a game in western, MA. It is a $5 limit dealer's choice game with a bunch of guys in their 60s, 70s, and perhaps older. I may be the youngest player at the table. They call games with wild cards as well as more conventional games. They like a lot of high low games. One of their favorites is 7-card stud hi-lo with the low card in the hole wild. Many of my casino-playing buddies will turn up their noses at games like these. But I love them. They make for loose, wild play. My strategy is to play about one or two levels more conservatively and to pay attention. It usually hs me on the winning end of things after a long night of play. No so here -- but I'm looking to be invited back. So we'll see. But even with a loss, it was fun. And no rake!

I also played in one of my favorite local games -- a game at a Greek Club in the Greater Boston area. They play a rotation of 7-card stud, hold-em, and a variation of Omaha (hi only) called Miami. The stakes are generally $10/20, thought he Miami game is played $10, $20, $30 (with a "bet or get" rule). The players are as friendly and easy going as folks can be -- with the occasional hot headed argument thrown in once or twice a night just to spice things up. There are a few good players and some very wild and aggressive players -- so the swings are extreme. I'm working on moderating my generally tight/aggressive style to take advantage of the looser and wilder opponents. I lost about $100 the last time I played -- but I'm looking forward to going back again and doing better. The rake is a very beatable time charge of $5/hour (if the host remembers to collect).

I think one negative side effect of the spread of casino poker is the diminishment of home games like these. Going to a casino or other public poker room is so easy, that these private games tend to dry up. All the serious action really likes being able to go to a casino 24/7 with no problem collecting. Even so, I'm eager to encourage those who want to spread private games. It's good for the poker economy not to have some huge extraction of the poker dollar every pot.