What is a reasonable "fee" for food, drink. etc?

[beetyjoose]

I'me hosting a home game which is going to be a $50 NLHE torney, no rebuys. There will be roughly 20-25 people (about 3 tables).

I was planning on providing sandwiches/pizza, soda, beer, chips, pretzel etc. I was wondering if it is reasonable to ask for a few dollars from each person. I don't want to be cheap but with all the extras and other small things i.e. new decks of cards, I could easily be spending over $100 just to host.

I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to advertise the torney as a $45+5(for food & beverage). Or if I should take a percentage out of the pot. Or perhaps just a set amount of money out of the final pot.

Thoughts?

[Mr Meaner]

Why not buy all the stuff first and take that amount out of the pot.

[chaas4747]

I have never liked the idea of taking it out of the pot. The weekly game I play in charges $10 on top of you buy in for food and booze. No one says anything unless the booze runs dry, if you are going to charge make sure there is plenty there. Guys get pissed when they pay $X for 1 drink.

[gmunny]

For the 2-3 tourney's I host a year, I take pizza and soda money out of the pot. I figure the folks that cash, won't mind paying for the others, espeically if there is a lot of "dead money" playing. I tell everyone to BYOB though, as I think it would be unfair to those that don't drink.
G$

[beekeeper]

I would let people bring their own drinks because
[*](1) Costs vary significantly between liquor, beer & soda--no way to charge everyone equitably, and
[*](2) Usage will also vary significantly

Just supply snacks--then your costs will be more quantifiable and your "cover charge" will be lower, giving people less of a reason to grouse.

[somapopper]

I think the best thing to do is just get a hold of the people who are gonna play and ask them would they prefer to buy their own stuff or pay an entry fee that'll go towards beer and pizza. If you ask six or eight people and there's a consensus I think you're in the clear, plus players will probably give you credit since you're just trying to cover you're cost and not make a profit (I'd suggest though keeping each buy in at 50 and making it 50+5 instead of 45+5 if you go that route(.

[pokers]

just sell em a bottle of water 1.50/2.oo$ ech

and a plate of pretzelz. with the same fee ^ it comes with the bottle

[Lottery Larry]

"I have never liked the idea of taking it out of the pot. The weekly game I play in charges $10 on top of you buy in "

Why do you see this as any different? $50 + 10 or $60 -10 is the same thing?

[KenProspero]

[ QUOTE ]
"I have never liked the idea of taking it out of the pot. The weekly game I play in charges $10 on top of you buy in "

Why do you see this as any different? $50 + 10 or $60 -10 is the same thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Logically you're correct, but somehow asking everyone to kick in $5 for pizza and sandwiches feels different to me than taking it out of the pot.

[Irons]

Yea. Taking the money out of the pot doesn't feel right. I know, 6 in one - half dozen in another.

I'm going to up it to $5 a man and any money left over will get added onto the TOC in December.