Game Structures: In my opinion, there are two important factors to consider when it comes to game structures. First is that all of your NL games need to have a cap on them except for your largest regular game. For example, if your room runs $5/$10 on weekends, then the $1/$3 and the $2/$5 should be capped. If players can buy into the $1/$3 game for $1000, then why would they want to play $2/$5 or $5/$10. This is the number one reason that larger NL games rarely run in Reno.
The second factor is that the games need to have some space between them, or they won't run because they're essentially the same game. Some examples are Mountaineer offers $2/$4 and $3/$6 Limit, but $3/$6 almost never runs because they are basically the same game. Some of the Reno rooms offer a $2/$3 NL ($5 to go) that never runs because it's the same as $3/$5. Conversely, the Peppermill had $2/$4 and $4/$8 Limit that ran every day because they're not the same game.
Having said all that, I would have the NL & PL games with the following structures: $1/$1 ($40-$100), $1/$3 ($100-$400), $2/$5 ($400-$800), and maybe $5/$10 ($800-$1500 or uncapped). For games like PLO, there might be some slight tweaks, like changing the $1/$3 to $2/$3 ($5 to go) in order to help with rounding off the size of the pot.
For Limit games, I would use three different levels, but there is some different ones to choose from. It could be $3/$6, $6/$12, and $10/$20. Or, if I wanted to have a larger spread, it could be $3/$6, $7.50/$15 (using the Pink $2.50 chips that many casino use for Blackjack), and $15/$30. As I have said before, there would need to be some trial and error to see what the customers want.
There would also be a Kill for all Limit games. It would probably be a Half Kill, but could be a Full Kill if the table requests it.
Game Types: Obviously, No-Limit Hold'em would be the main game, along with some Limit Hold'em. Naturally, I would want to try promoting other games. I have found the best way to do this is to schedule games on various nights. Atlantis has done a good job with this concept. On Mondays they have $3/$6 HORSE, on Fridays $5/$10 NL, and on Saturdays $1/$2 PLO-8.
Generally, these games would be on the small side to encourage players to try them out. If the game takes off, then that game might pop-up on different nights, or even a bigger game could happen on that same night.
Rake: I know this isn't a common practice, but I feel that larger games should pay more in rake than smaller games. I know as a player, it's evil for me to think about rake. But as someone running a room, business is business.
For example, the standard Reno rake is $3 or $4 (plus the promo drop). So I might do $3 at the $1/$1 game (with .50 cent pieces), $4 at the $1/$3 game, and $5 for the $2/$5 and higher games. If the $1/$1 isn't generating enough rake, then I may have an automatic $2 on the Flop, and the 3rd dollar after the pot hits $30.
Straddle: For NL games, there would be a NL Straddle for up to 5 BB (up to $15 at $1/$3, for example). This would only be for UTG. I know the Mississippi Straddle or Button Straddle is popular for some players, but I feel that straddling on the Button is just too strong, and creates an imbalance in the game.
Cash Plays: Cash would not play at any game. It's too easy to sneak into a pocket, and it's very easy to hide behind chips. I often see players trying to fold up the $100 bills, and hide the fact that they have any at all. Plus, it's really hard to judge just how many $100 bills a player has. As long as the casino has enough chips, there is no reason to have Cash on the table.
Also, larger chips should only be allowed in certain games. The Green $25 chips would only be allowed on $1/$3 or larger. The Black $100 chips would only be allowed on the $2/$5 or larger.
Normally in $2/$5 games, the White $1 chips don't count except in units of $5. I've never understood the point of this rule. Since White chips are on the table, then why not use them? Why can't the preflop raise be $17, rather than $15 or $20? If a room doesn't want the White chips to count, then make it a $5/$5 game.
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