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| TIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME GAME POKER GURU LOU KRIEGER AND ACTOR MICHAEL ESPOSITO TELL YOU HOW By Richard Livsey |
When actor Michael Esposito (Dealer's Hand, Parco P.I.) moved into an apartment
in midtown Manhattan, he decided it was time to host a serious home poker game.
This was a little over six years ago, before the whole poker craze took off on TV.
“I was always looking for a game,” Esposito told me during an interview in New
York. “There weren’t many going on back then, so I decided to start my own.”
Esposito’s home game found its beginnings on two coffee tables. They played
everything from casino poker to an array of crazy “wild card” games. And over the
years their humble game has evolved into a highly competitive, small-time arena
for Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud.
In the beginning, the players consisted of a couple of law students, restaurant
workers and various actors. The game didn’t really get going until at least
midnight, and many times it didn’t end until well after day break. New people have
come and gone over the years, but not much has changed, except for a custom
made poker table, a set of premium clay chips and the skill level of the core group
of players.
It’s a friendly game, but unless you have a good working knowledge of poker, you
don’t want to sit down at this table. To put it bluntly - They’ll take your money.
You’ll be snacking on peanuts, laughing at jokes and having a fun night out with
the boys while your chips steadily disappear.
But believe it or not, when hosting a home game, there are many things to
consider besides winning big. First and foremost, you need to establish your
house rules.
Pro poker player and author, Lou Krieger is no stranger to the home game. He
was introduced to the game by watching his father play in their kitchen when he
was a child.
Krieger says that it’s very important for all players to understand and know the
rules of the house. For instance, “Is the game played "table stakes," as it is in all
casinos?”
in midtown Manhattan, he decided it was time to host a serious home poker game.
This was a little over six years ago, before the whole poker craze took off on TV.
“I was always looking for a game,” Esposito told me during an interview in New
York. “There weren’t many going on back then, so I decided to start my own.”
Esposito’s home game found its beginnings on two coffee tables. They played
everything from casino poker to an array of crazy “wild card” games. And over the
years their humble game has evolved into a highly competitive, small-time arena
for Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud.
In the beginning, the players consisted of a couple of law students, restaurant
workers and various actors. The game didn’t really get going until at least
midnight, and many times it didn’t end until well after day break. New people have
come and gone over the years, but not much has changed, except for a custom
made poker table, a set of premium clay chips and the skill level of the core group
of players.
It’s a friendly game, but unless you have a good working knowledge of poker, you
don’t want to sit down at this table. To put it bluntly - They’ll take your money.
You’ll be snacking on peanuts, laughing at jokes and having a fun night out with
the boys while your chips steadily disappear.
But believe it or not, when hosting a home game, there are many things to
consider besides winning big. First and foremost, you need to establish your
house rules.
Pro poker player and author, Lou Krieger is no stranger to the home game. He
was introduced to the game by watching his father play in their kitchen when he
was a child.
Krieger says that it’s very important for all players to understand and know the
rules of the house. For instance, “Is the game played "table stakes," as it is in all
casinos?”
Meaning, can a player only wager chips in front of him at a hand's start, or can a player “go light" by calling bets without
money on the table? This rule is very important, especially in big hands where a sizable pot is at stake.
If you don’t know the basic rules of poker. Krieger says that you can easily get some from a nearby casino. Then pass
them out to the guests or at least have them on hand. And if you make any deviations, explain them.
It’s equally important, Krieger says to let everyone know what games will be played. “Is it only Texas Hold'Em? Will all
casino poker games be played? Will a variety of ‘wild card games’ be dealt, usually as part of a ‘dealer's choice’ format?”
Also keep the surprises to a minimum. Make sure that everyone knows the stakes. “No one likes coming to a game that
suits their comfort level and bankroll,” says Krieger. “Only to have the stakes double, or triple later in the evening
because some players are losing and want to get even.”
Don’t forget that time flies when you’re down, just even or winning, so set a time that you are going to play until and stick
to it. And don’t think that just because you’re the host, you can call the game early because you’re losing. That’s totally
unfair to the other players.
One thing that Esposito can’t stress enough is to keep the game low key. You don’t want a party at your house while
you’re trying to play poker. Even a few onlookers sitting around watching the game can be distracting, especially the
girlfriends. Don’t try to entertain your lady while playing cards, it a sure-fire way to be taken out of your game.
“When I first started up my game,” Esposito said. “I would let random people come over way too many nights just to
hangout while we were playing. Because it was my apartment, I couldn’t seem to keep my head in the game, and my chip
stack always seemed to be on life support.”
To bring your home game to the next level, it’s going take a little effort and some thoughtful planning. Think of it as a
work-in-progress, and don’t be afraid to make changes. The bottom line - Keep it fun.
Esposito says that as a host one of his priorities is to make sure people feel comfortable and welcome. “I always want
people to come back and play.”
For more information on Lou Krieger check out his website at: www.loukrieger.com. There’s a complete list of his work
and he has a new book on poker coming out later this year, Rules of Poker: Essentials For Every Game.
money on the table? This rule is very important, especially in big hands where a sizable pot is at stake.
If you don’t know the basic rules of poker. Krieger says that you can easily get some from a nearby casino. Then pass
them out to the guests or at least have them on hand. And if you make any deviations, explain them.
It’s equally important, Krieger says to let everyone know what games will be played. “Is it only Texas Hold'Em? Will all
casino poker games be played? Will a variety of ‘wild card games’ be dealt, usually as part of a ‘dealer's choice’ format?”
Also keep the surprises to a minimum. Make sure that everyone knows the stakes. “No one likes coming to a game that
suits their comfort level and bankroll,” says Krieger. “Only to have the stakes double, or triple later in the evening
because some players are losing and want to get even.”
Don’t forget that time flies when you’re down, just even or winning, so set a time that you are going to play until and stick
to it. And don’t think that just because you’re the host, you can call the game early because you’re losing. That’s totally
unfair to the other players.
One thing that Esposito can’t stress enough is to keep the game low key. You don’t want a party at your house while
you’re trying to play poker. Even a few onlookers sitting around watching the game can be distracting, especially the
girlfriends. Don’t try to entertain your lady while playing cards, it a sure-fire way to be taken out of your game.
“When I first started up my game,” Esposito said. “I would let random people come over way too many nights just to
hangout while we were playing. Because it was my apartment, I couldn’t seem to keep my head in the game, and my chip
stack always seemed to be on life support.”
To bring your home game to the next level, it’s going take a little effort and some thoughtful planning. Think of it as a
work-in-progress, and don’t be afraid to make changes. The bottom line - Keep it fun.
Esposito says that as a host one of his priorities is to make sure people feel comfortable and welcome. “I always want
people to come back and play.”
For more information on Lou Krieger check out his website at: www.loukrieger.com. There’s a complete list of his work
and he has a new book on poker coming out later this year, Rules of Poker: Essentials For Every Game.
| Even if your Aces get cracked, remember to have fun. |
| Poker is a game that must be studied. Buy some reading material now, click here |
