Whats a fair way to charge people to use my home table for gambling

The idea of charging friends for anything seems weird, in this case.

I mean, this is also their way of hanging out with you. Do you resent them coming over? You don't have a good time with them? You honestly wish they were gone? I guess if the answer's yes then charging is one way to give them a hint.

I dunno how they'll take it. They may wonder if it means they're expected to pay you every time they come visit, even if it's just to come to a cookout followed by a lil shooting. They might decide it's uncomfortable and stop visiting as often. Have them bring booze to replenish what they use up...you can just say "the only rule is, you can't come here empty handed."...they'll probably buy whatever they intend to drink.

If they want to keep playing and you just want to go to bed... kick'em out. "well guys, it's about that time. I gotta get up early tomorrow". Or trust them as friends to finish up their set, leave, and lock the door behind them.
 
If they were really my "friends", I wouldn't be charging them to play on a per game or a nightly basis.

If they were really my "friends", I would expect them not to have a problem pitching in an equal percentage of the cost now to help pay for the recovering of the table later...

If they were really my "friends", I would expect them to bring over the beverages every once in awhile...

I guess I look at "friends" as not just being one-sided...

It would appear you have a "give and take" relationship with your friends...you give...and they take...
 
sooperstroke said:
My freinds have been coming over more and more lately to play some after hour money games and I figured since I gotta stay up late charging them a small sum wouldnt be out of line. Not only for my time and the wear and tear on the table but I usually provide free alcohol too. (no ones getting really wasted anyways since theyre playing, which is why I dont really mind)
So whats the best way to do it, or how is this usually done? A set fee per player? a percentage of the winninngs? A percentage of the bet from each guy?

Thanks AZ
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If you play with them and you enjoy the time, then i would only ask for them to bring the drink and food. If you do not enjoy them then you have to stop it. I would not charge them anything unless they actually break or dig a hole in the cloth.
 
uh huh

I agree with posts #21 & 22.........Asking "friends" to pay to play on your home table is kinda weird....I guess it goes to the prior question of, "what are friends?".... Actually, the term, "friends" can be used loosely, as everyone knows....there are different degrees of friendship.....if they are lifelong and true friends, I would not charge money for playing or drinking at my house; however, it would not be a regular or frequent thing to let them gamble on my table for significant money; I don't want my house to become a pool hall either....so if they are just "friendly acquaintances", maybe I would take some percentage of the money, but it would probably be just a one or two-time event.....and that's it....for the most part, friends and money don't mix too well....
 
fee

I think it might be a slippery slope. if you charge, then you are running a gambling establishment and selling drinks without a license. no big deal until somebody gets popped on the way home. on the the other hand it could be a profitable business.
 
This has already been said in a variety of ways...but if you were giving these friends a ride somewhere would you ask them to chip in for gas? My friends and I have always had an unspoken rule that you either chip in for gas or you chip in for something else (food, drinks, etc). If you're short on cash then you pick up extra the next time. Since there's gambling involved I'll assume this isn't an issue.

Maybe giving to the house isn't something they've even thought about, and not just something they've actively chosen not to do. If you decide you want a cut but don't want it to be awkward by demanding it make it "optional". Put up a funny tip jar - "feed the table", "cloth fund", etc. They'll see it, realize that them being there is to some degree an inconvenience, and toss in some of the winnings. We all see those donation jars stores put next to the cash register, with the most pathetic/needy puppy or kitten on it. You know you feel just a little guilty when you don't put in a few coins.

It might not get you as much money as a % of the winnings will but it won't alienate your friends either.

Just a thought.
 
If they were "friends" that just wanted to come over to play on your table because they like it there or have no other place to pay I would definately charge them. And it wouldn't be cheap. Minimum of $10 per hour. And I wouldn't be giving away free drinks and food. I'm sure we don't know anybody that would take advantage of this. Soon you will have them dropping by just to eat and sleep.
 
Gamblers (winners) I know don't have a problem paying the house a fair percentage of their winnings and based on the stakes you might want to adjust the percentage. High stakes games lower the percentage, but make it clear that the house gets at least $50 and if the stakes are high then at least $100 from the winner. There isn't a game without you and if they aren't drinking much i'd let that go as part of the minimum from the winner.

James
 
This is a simple scenario!

It does not matter if they are friends or not, you are providing a premium service.

A pool table in your home plus other things for them to play on after hours.

Charge them a fee and establish a minimum bet per set or session, then take your cut out of each set or session upfront.

Your the house, what you say goes period. If they get out of line kick them out, friends or not who cares, they should understand its a two way street.

Do not base what you charge on someone winning because as you know many times people break even, so get yours no matter what happens.
 
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I don't think you should've let this get started and I'd end it as soon as possible. What's next? Charge 'em for toilet paper? What are you going to do when something in your house comes up missing? Good luck with that.
 
You should know who has the best of it by now, just take half of their action. I know a guy in Huntsville that had a bar table in his living room years ago and he made alot of money going in with the favorite. I personally made him several thousand.
 
I believe a home poker game is legal unless the owner charges a rake. Then it's considered illegal gambling. I have to assume the same is true for taking a % of the action.

However, organizing a "tournament" and charging a green fee might be a different story.
 
sooperstroke said:
My friends have been coming over more and more lately to play some after hour money games and I figured since I gotta stay up late charging them a small sum wouldn't be out of line. Not only for my time and the wear and tear on the table but I usually provide free alcohol too. (no ones getting really wasted anyways since they're playing, which is why I dont really mind)
So whats the best way to do it, or how is this usually done? A set fee per player? a percentage of the winnings? A percentage of the bet from each guy?

Thanks AZ
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I would say do not charge them. Legally it brings lots of issues in. But DO ask them to bring stuff over. Next time someone calls say," I got the last 3 cases of beer so it's your turn now, bring over 3 cases and I will see you in a little while" . If they balk at this you know you were just a convenient freebie and not a friend. Start using the word "WE" when things need to be replaced or fixed and it will set a standard for the future. Tell one of them to take the balls and get them cleaned and polished. Or ask them if "WE" should buy a ball polisher. Should "WE" buy Simonis or Championship cloth now that the table needs recovering. You are providing electric and a space, you should NOT have to provide wear and tear on the table or free drinks. It is apparent they all think it is a community table now. Treat it as such.
 
A couple of other's have said it, so here's an opinon based on 29 years in law enforcement.

As soon as you charge a percentage, your running a gambling establishment. As soon as a loser gets pissed off the vice squad is notified. When the raid goes down there's not only gaming charges but ABC violations as well. Providing snacks? Here comes the health department.

Think it can't happen? Vice squad cops are lazy. They sit in the office with their feet up on the desk telling war stories. Then the phone rings and your life turns to shit. Drug dealers rat out other dealers to cover their turf. Pool players that lose big rat the house. Just sayin'
 
Green Fee

Buzzard II said:
A couple of other's have said it, so here's an opinon based on 29 years in law enforcement.

As soon as you charge a percentage, your running a gambling establishment. As soon as a loser gets pissed off the vice squad is notified. When the raid goes down there's not only gaming charges but ABC violations as well. Providing snacks? Here comes the health department.

Think it can't happen? Vice squad cops are lazy. They sit in the office with their feet up on the desk telling war stories. Then the phone rings and your life turns to shit. Drug dealers rat out other dealers to cover their turf. Pool players that lose big rat the house. Just sayin'
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Tell them you have a green fee, base it on what you want. $50, $100?

and never let them play an ahead set.:smile::smile:
 
Mitchxout said:
I don't think you should've let this get started and I'd end it as soon as possible. What's next? Charge 'em for toilet paper? What are you going to do when something in your house comes up missing? Good luck with that.
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I agree with Mxout. Let them take it somewhere else. Eventually you will resent them and what is going on.
 
These are min 100$ sets. No one wants to stay up late for cheap sets, not even them. It doesnt happen often or I would put a stop to it. I dont mind watching great players play im just not naive enought to count on the genrostity of poolplayers.

I live in a small town so im not to worried about "vice" kicking down my door. Im also not worried about anyone stealing anything. The table is in a seperate pat of the house no one even enters the house unsupervised. And like I said this is after hours where is anyone gonna pick up beer?

What happens is sometimes therell be a good money game going on and they just wanna continue it once the poolhall closes. It seems 10% of the bet is the norm. Im not trying to get rich im just not running a charity either. Were all pretty good freinds but that exactly why I think i should charge, freinds can turn into mooches if you let them. Remember, these are poolplayers if you give em an inch theyll take a mile.

Thanks for all the input guys.
 
sooperstroke said:
These are min 100$ sets. No one wants to stay up late for cheap sets, not even them. It doesnt happen often or I would put a stop to it. I dont mind watching great players play im just not naive enought to count on the genrostity of poolplayers.

I live in a small town so im not to worried about "vice" kicking down my door. Im also not worried about anyone stealing anything. The table is in a seperate pat of the house no one even enters the house unsupervised. And like I said this is after hours where is anyone gonna pick up beer?

What happens is sometimes therell be a good money game going on and they just wanna continue it once the poolhall closes. It seems 10% of the bet is the norm. Im not trying to get rich im just not running a charity either. Were all pretty good freinds but that exactly why I think i should charge, freinds can turn into mooches if you let them. Remember, these are poolplayers if you give em an inch theyll take a mile.

Thanks for all the input guys.
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Based in that information I would rake the pot for an agreed upon percentage. win, lose, or draw, everybody pays.
 
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