Home Game
A home game is a poker game played in a private home, not in a casino or a card room. It can range from a friendly low-stakes game among neighbors to a large private game with high stakes.
The simple explanation
Home games are social. The players usually know each other, and the stakes are often small. One person hosts, provides the chips and the cards, and sometimes takes a small fee. Rules vary, so it is wise to agree on them before you start.
A closer look
Home games are less formal than casino games, so decide on the rules beforehand: the blinds, buy-in, rebuys, what happens with misdeals and who is the dealer. There is no floor to settle disputes, so the group decides. In some places, laws on private gambling matter, especially if the host takes a rake. Experienced players also take care about angle shooting and slow-rolling in home games, and the tone of the game depends on the group.
A practical example
Six friends meet on Friday night at someone's kitchen table for a $20 buy-in tournament. It is a home game.
Full explanation
A home game is a poker game played in a private home, not in a casino or a card room. It can range from a friendly low-stakes game among neighbors to a large private game with high stakes.
A home game is a poker game played in someone’s house.
Stakes can be small or large.
The host sets the rules or the group agrees on them.
There is no floor staff to decide disputes.