Fair way to get rid of player?

[Olidammara]

Right now our gaming group has seven people, including myself (the GM). My players are all pretty nice, intelligent, creative people with most of their own equipment and books. Character level in the campaign is in the 8th-11th range. There's a dragon waiting around the corner(!) for the well-balanced group to defeat. No problems.

But the game table really only has room for six chairs, and with my recent career shift I can't afford to host the entire group anymore. I need to get rid of one of the players.

What's a good, fair way to deal with this? I'm thinking of using the "Vote Off The Island" format so that they put the blame on each other instead of me.

 

[Moon_Goddess]

Send them to my place, It's only like a 2 hour drive or so ( ) and I'm always up for more players.

 

[Crothian]

I'm thinking of using the "Vote Off The Island" format so that they put the blame on each other instead of me.

You're the one who wants to get rid of one, be mature and take the blame.

First try to figure ways to keep everyone. Have someone bring over a card table and start having the players bring food and soda (if this is what you mean by hosting, supllying the snacks).

Otherwise, tell them that one of themn has to leave and give your reasons. You might get lucky and one of them was thinking of leaving anyone. Otherwise draw straws or other random determination show it doesn't look like your playing favorites.

 

[Xeriar]

I would give up my role as DM, myself, if even temporarily.

'Vote off the island' is more often seen as blatant manipulation by more intelligent people.

 

[ForceUser]

Don't dissemble or play dirty tricks. Be honest and forthright and just ask if anyone would be willing to leave the group. Make sure you explain your reasons why: maybe if it's a money issue you can keep all your players by having everyone pitch in. Gaming IS a group activity, and one person should not be footing the whole bill. Or, if your place is too small, think of alternate places you can play.

Whatever you do, don't be a dick about it. This...

I'm thinking of using the "Vote Off The Island" format so that they put the blame on each other instead of me.

...is a VERY poor way to handle it.

 

[Chimera]

I'm with ForceUser. If it's not an issue of "we don't like this guy" and I was one of your players, I would probably volunteer to take a walk after hearing this, whether or not I was the player chosen to take the knife in the back.

Find somewhere else to play, get some assistance from the players. Don't be a dick.

 

[Janos Antero]

I know that if I were a player voted off so to speak, I'd have some rather hard feelings toward my group. As that group tends to be real life friends, I'd really avoid any such method.

 

[Olidammara]

Hmm. I figured that a group that has worked sp hard together to survive a wide variety of monsters would also respect such a voting decision. Only the strong survive, after all.

But I get your point. I'll do it by fair, random draw.
(I hope it's the redheaded guy; sometimes he corrects me in front of the others.)

Thanks for your input.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I don't understand this "can't afford" issue. Can't other people bring the beer and pretzels for a hard-working DM?

I would be honest about your concerns but don't suggest harsh (or weaselly) solutions. See what they come with. Say something like, "Having so many people at my place isn't working for me because ______. Can we come up with other arrangements?"

Work through this together.

It doesn't take that much room to play the game. My group has found rearranging furniture, tables, chairs is not difficult if people pull together. You can pick up card tables and folding chairs on the cheap at garage sales. A cheap pillow to soften the seat is 3 bucks.

 

[Umbran]

But the game table really only has room for six chairs, and with my recent career shift I can't afford to host the entire group anymore. I need to get rid of one of the players.

I think you've failed to identify the problem correctly. Is it that you have too many players, or to small a space and too little in the way of personal funds?

The best solution is to find somwehere else to play. You can also come up with a more equitable way to deal with the financial burden of hosting.