The Home Game: How Much to Play For

Choosing the limits might be the most political decision you'll have to make as a host. Set the stakes too high, and you'll gradually starve players out of the game. Set them too low, and you'll have a frenzy of raising and reraising with all kinds of junk hands, turning your purported game of skill into bingo night on steroids. You know you're playing for right amount when the losses sting, but don't send your players into fits of panic over exactly how their firstborn is going to attend college.