>>>The guys that I have my home game with are not very competitive

I find that hard to believe. Everyone likes to win and my friends take great joy in kicking my a$$ when they get the chance.

>>>(who wants to clean their buddies out?).

If you don't like the table stakes, set up a tourney style play where the winner gets a larger pot.

>>>I can only take so much Acey Duecey.

I don't play Acey Duecy but casinos are the ones with the limited amount of games.

>>>I believe live poker is the way poker was meant to be played.

That's my point. The "casino version" ain't the way it was meant to be played.

BTW, I brought up Video Poker because this thread started about a room deal. You can spend 3-4 hours in a poker room giving the casino money to get a "room deal" or simply get a player card and spend a lot less time to get a free room. Your choice.