People in the poker community often come up to me and ask about whatever is on their mind. Some of these questions are good questions, and some are bad beat stories in disguise. I’ve been through quite a few things in my poker career and I like to help whenever possible, and in this new Card Player series, I’d like to share my experiences and knowledge. Feel free to ask any poker-related question, and I’ll do my best to answer it in the space below.
Question: I was recently invited to a home game. I have heard they can be juicier than casino games, any thoughts? – Joe B
Gavin: For quite a while the only games I played in were basically home games. They were slightly more professional operations than that, usually in strip malls or industrial complexes. Where I started playing casinos weren’t legal, so a network of these games started up. You would go to one because you knew a guy who could get you in and then meet someone there who knew about another game and got you in there, etc. I have played in my fair share of these games and they are where I met some people who really helped elevate my game and get me started on the path I’m on today.
Where I live now, however, there are about 7 poker rooms within a one hour drive for me so I don’t have to worry about finding private games to play in. In addition to that, in California, any home casino game that has a house edge including poker games that charge a rake to play is illegal. I don’t want to get involved in games like this because they pose a stronger risk of being robbed and/or busted by cops, neither of which sounds particularly great to me. Finally, many of the games I’ve heard of have a pretty high rake making them harder to beat.
If I lived in a place that had no casinos and it was pretty hard to find a game however, I might be tempted to play in these games. Because I have some experience playing in them, I do have some tips should you decide to go to this home game you’ve been invited to.
First, make sure you’re aware of the legality of what you’re getting involved with and whether you feel comfortable with it. If the home game you’ve been invited to is raked, it’s probably not legal and in some states it’s not legal whether it’s raked or not if you’re playing for real money. Unfortunately, in other states, they’ll even crack down on bar poker leagues just for playing for freeroll prizes.
The second thing I’d make sure of is that you’re comfortable with the stakes and the people you’re playing with. You have to be completely sure you trust the person who has invited you. If you don’t trust them, don’t go. Don’t bring as much money to the game as you would for the same size game at a casino in case you do get robbed or just find the place to be untrustworthy and sketchy.
Finally, be sure to pay more attention to the dealers and the other players to catch any cheating or team play. Because the people in these games are often less seasoned than those at a casino, they might be bigger targets for people looking to cheat by using a paid off dealer or by colluding. Be on your guard.
If you make it to this game, I hope you adhere to some of the tips I’ve laid out and be sure to leave your phone in your pocket because if the game is good, they usually don’t mind that you’re a winning player as long as you can keep everyone around you entertained. Good luck!
Question: I know who my poker heroes are, who are yours? – Tom C.
Gavin: I’m not sure that I would call anyone in poker a hero of mine but I can tell you who I’m impressed by. The only person that has ever made me nervous while playing with them may surprise you. In fact, if you were forced to guess I’m sure you’d say Phil Ivey. He has the look, the stare, the presence, and the reputation. Or perhaps Phil Hellmuth with all of the bracelets and the berating if you make a mistake. Either one of those guys could definitely make some people shake in their seat.
The only person that made me nervous to play with them, though, was Doyle Brunson. I have only ever played with him once as far as I recall, back in 2006 at the Bay 101 Shooting Star tournament. He was the shooting star at the table and he pretty much owned me from the start of the day until I busted. I tried my best to beat him in some pots but it didn’t work out for me and I definitely remember that every time we entered a pot together I got nervous. He had this easy air of competence about him and it was difficult for me to wrap my head around what he had, most likely because of how nervous I was. If you had asked me before that day if there was anyone I was scared of at the poker table, I definitely would have told you there wasn’t. I was wrong though, I was scared of Doyle Brunson.
If you have a question for Gavin, send it to editor@www.cardplayer.com.
