Home game rake, what's your opinion?

[kasual]

Here's the structure we play:

$20 no-limit, blinds are .25/.50

I've built a nice table and am happy hosting since it doesn't effect anyone else, we play in the garage and can be loud as we want. But I have been supplying beer, food, music, etc. Is it unethical to start taking a 0.25 chip from the pot every hand to help cover some cost of hosting, even though I haven't in the past?

I'm not trying to make money from hosting, I'm not a casino, but I have to win 20-40 just to cover the cost of hosting.

What's your opinion?

[MrGo]

I wouldn't start collecting a rake for those type of stakes. Just take $5 or less per head before you even play.

[jmark]

Can you convince the other players to bring food, beer, etc.?

[AliasMrJones]

Taking a rake is in many place the dividing line between a friendly home game and a gambling establishment. Here in CO a home game is legal as long as the players know each other before the game and there is no rake. I think even in places where home games are technically illegal the rake puts you into a whole nother realm in the eyes of law enforcement. In effect, you do become a casino.

Ask people to bring their own food/beer, rotate it, or ask people to contribute to the food/drinks separately.

[Stew]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's the structure we play:

$20 no-limit, blinds are .25/.50

I've built a nice table and am happy hosting since it doesn't effect anyone else, we play in the garage and can be loud as we want. But I have been supplying beer, food, music, etc. Is it unethical to start taking a 0.25 chip from the pot every hand to help cover some cost of hosting, even though I haven't in the past?

I'm not trying to make money from hosting, I'm not a casino, but I have to win 20-40 just to cover the cost of hosting.

What's your opinion?

[/ QUOTE ]

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT rake the pot, this will most definitely get you in legal trouble. Either take a door charge for every player in the game that goes towards food, beverages, the table, chips, whatever, but do not take a rake.

Either that or start asking your guests to bring the food and beverages. But, don't take a rake from the pot, you are just risking too much. Additionally, I think most of your players will not object to donating some money or food/beverages for the games, but they WILL frown on money being chopped from the pot.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

No rake for all the reasons mentioned. Ask for $5/head or tell your deadbeat friends to bring their own damn food and beer.

[chesspain]

I sometimes play in a home game (1-3 spread, dealer's choice, casino games) where the host rakes each pot $0.50 if the pot is over $10, but he supplies pizza, beer, munchies, and soft drinks. I assume he's making some money off of the rake after six hours of play, since I don't think he spends more than $40 on food/drink on a typical night [most of the guys don't drink much].

However, since the game is sooooooo easy, I don't complain. Indeed, on a bad night I may break even or win a few BB, whereas on a good night I can easily win 30-50BB. I don't think I've ever lost money there.

Good times!

[SenecaJim]

like you have been told here,,whatever you do, don't rake the pot. I favor direct approach, hey deadbeats, fork it up. If that is not your style, just have them show up once without amenites provided. Whoa, Dude, guess somebody should go on a beer run, ie. not me.

[kasual]

Thanks for all the great responses, I too believe a rake is not the right choice. I think a simple straight forward "Hey douchebags, give me 5 bucks for the beer" approach is the best way to go.

[Stew]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all the great responses, I too believe a rake is not the right choice. I think a simple straight forward "Hey douchebags, give me 5 bucks for the beer" approach is the best way to go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes and make sure you specifically refer to them as douche bags, LOL.