Home Poker

The Curse of the Ultra-Low Table Stakes
By Squeege

Rejoice, one and all, I'm back from the newsgroups and I come back with a short-lived, but potent thread called "Home Game Betting Limits." For those of you not in the know, I'm a lurker on the Usenet newsgroups, particularly rec.gambling.poker. I lurk because discussion focuses mainly on casino and cardroom poker. Home poker is discussed very infrequently, and typically with little response. So, for those rare times when something related to home poker is discussed, I bring back a synopsis along with my unparalleled two cents-worth.

And the expression "two cents-worth" couldn't be more applicable to our subject today. "imvalleyjones" opened the thread talking about division at the table of regulars between those who like the table stakes the way that they are and those who would like an increase.

Incredible that we've never discussed this one before. The nature of the home poker table is that it consists of the same gang that have been sitting at that table for years. In the beginning, stakes were chosen that everybody was comfortable with. New players may have come and gone, some may have become mainstays, some of the old mainstays may have taken off, but the final score is that the table stakes are likely the same now as they ever were. Either nobody has thought to suggest an increase, or nobody wants to take that chance.

Chance? What chance? Why, the chance that you will create an irreparable division at the table of regulars...one so profound that it may affect all future games. See, you can't suggest an increase in table stakes without taking the chance that you're going to insult or alienate those players (and most likely, friends) that aren't interested in an increase. As far as they're concerned, the table stakes are just right in comparison to their "lot in life."

When somebody suggests an increase in table stakes, those that agree versus those that disagree translates into those that are bored with the current table stakes versus those that are content, which translates further into those who want to risk more money on the game versus those who do not want to or cannot afford to risk more money. The mere suggestion of an increase in table stakes is the indication that you are bored with the current stakes. Those that agree are also bored. Those that don't agree will likely come out of it insulted.

Players happy with the current stakes will be insulted that some are ready to "move on," while they are not. When it's a table of your friends, you do what you can not to insult, and let's face it, how bored with the game could you possibly be that you'd want to snub your friends.

If this last point wasn't of importance, I would say increase those table stakes. When players are unimpressed by current stakes, that means very loose play. But, it's not the kind of loose play where a player considers it smart play. It's the kind of loose player where a player just doesn't care about the monetary value involved and is trying to make it as exciting as possible by stealing pots. Players bored with the stakes will not be bluffed out of a pot, and it's unlikely they'll even find the game exciting. The other players at the table will be able to advertise a little, but basically only play their hands legitimately. It's only because this is a problem that I would suggest bumping the stakes.

One of the important features of poker is the ability to instill an emotion of concern in your opponents. It's not exactly fear, probably more caution. There needs to be a maximum bet that makes players take a second look at their hands to decide if they're staying or going. When players are staying in the game because they think the maximum bet is a joke, then there's an important element missing from the game.

If you find yourself bored with your current table stakes and are thinking of suggesting an increase at your table of regulars, I'd suggest one-on-one talks with the tighter players. They'll be the toughest nuts to crack, and why do it in front of everybody. If you bring it up off-handedly with the person, you'll get a better feel for how good an idea it is. If it doesn't go well, then you have two options: one, just put up with it and keep playing the game, or two, be rude to your friends and suggest the change.

Adapted from HomePoker.com