Another Problem with my home game

[BigSlugger09]

My home game is really crazy and does not enforce many standard rules. One of these things has really been bugging me though. Whenever I go allin UTG or early position, the players remaining in the pot will say, "lets compare hands and see if its worth a call." Im like what the hell do you think you are doing? Maybe half of the time I stop them from doing this but often times people look at eachother's cards before calling. Any one else have this problem or any suggestions on how to deal with it?

thanks

[snoogins47]

Next time one of the monkeys bets into you, grab his cards, and look at them, saying you just want to compare hands before you call.

Or, you could try to honestly explain to them "What you're doing is very shady, and easily constitutes cheating."

Or, you could just stop playing.

[ScanX]

dude this aint poker if u let them act like that.

there is absolutely no fun and no interest to play it that way.

[Oldgzer]

If this is your home game, why are you allowing it? You need to come up with a list of rules everyone has to abide by. That's crazy!!!

[Underbelly]

That's insane dude! You need to set up house rules. In my home game, we warn people if they even mention there cards they won't be invited back. The people you play with don't understand poker. Find a better group of people to play with.

[Dave B]

Next time they do that, just grab the pot. Say that if you are comparing hands you have all obviously folded.

[JohnnyCache]

Make up a rules-sheet for the game. Just say enough money is changing hands you want a good set of standard rules in place, because if you keep playing 'loosy goosy' you're afraid two of your friends are going to get in a fight over something as stupid as a hand of cards.

[BigSlugger09]

I think I needed to clarify things. Sorry about that. The home game rotates from house to house so its not at the same person's house every week. I think its at my house this weekend and I can contain it at my own house but when its at someone else's I can hardly do anything about it. Thanks for the replies.

[QuietOne]

Thats a great time to start. We do the same things and when we first started we have very bad rules (we didn't even use blinds, just antes), so when they came to my house I always introduced proper rules and now we have a great game everywhere.

That was 2 years ago now everyone plays the right way, no matter who's house we were at.

[JohnnyCache]

Yeah, just set an example. After a while, everyone will start to like playing with rules. The other thing, how old are you guys and how much have you played in casinos or bigger games? A taste of regulated play was all I needed to learn to actually like the table rules. . .

[TheBklynKid]

i play with older guys most the times 30+ (older than me i mean) this never happens, but even when i play with my best friends who r the same age they never ever have done that, just find new people to play with if they wont listen to u.

[Tex Rex]

Dear Big Slugger:

I've been playing now for about 25 years. I've played in several games over the years, and seen a few of them break up. The most common reason for a break up is either lack of consistent rules or lax enforcement of the rules. Those are two things that cause a LOT of arguments. I've learned to have a complete set of rules. Bring them to the first game and dictate policy the first time. Then let the players discard, as a group, what they don't like and add what they do like. If you can eliminate the big arguments, you eliminate most game break ups, and most hard feelings.

Another thing I've learned doesn't go well is surprises. They make players feel like someone is making up the rules as they go along.

If you play by Hoyles, pick a specific version, since there are several.

When people say they have "standard" rules, that means each player will know a completely different set of rules than the other players. There is virtually no such thing as standard rules. Until they are written down, they are subject to arguments, because not everyone plays by the same rules.

Pick almost any rule, and you will find two players who have played completely different ways.

Comprehensive written rules eliminate all of that, and most of the arguments. I will no longer play in a game unless I know what the rules are before I sit down to play.

[BigSlugger09]

Thanks Tex Rex for the good information. I am going to try out a few of your suggestions, but not all of them for a few reasons. We are all only about 16 (in response to JonnhyCache's question) and the main reason we play is to hang out and have a good time. Of course we want to make some money and I want to enforce the correct rules because its more fun to play the correct way (for me at least). I mean we could also have fun playing basketball or Madden 2005 or something like so the fact that there is money involved definetly attracts people to the game. And, of course I want it played right even if it is only a $5 or $10 buyin.

So, in response to TheBklynKid (sp?) I wont find other people to play with because the money my only reason for playing. These guys are my friends so Im going to continue playing because its fun. When I want some real action I play online. I do understand what you are getting at though. There is no way I would wager $50 with these guys because the game is not pure.

I havent pushed some rules like minimum bet because its just as fun to play either way, but this sharing of cards really takes away from the spirit of the game. Also, not everyone there is as serious about poker as I am so it might take away from their fun if I right out tons of rules and make eveything look professional. When, if it happens, players try to share cards that is when I will say no thats not fair and stop it right there.

Thanks for all the help guys. Hopefully my friends will start to play the correct way through example.