Round Poker Table … Why?
Let’s discuss a better table. There are a few problems with the standard oval, or “race track” shaped tables. They look great in a casino and the shape has been established for the benefit of the dealer, after all the more hands per hour the more money the casino makes.
This basic shape however is in direct conflict with the home game because the deal/dealer is changed with every hand. The persons sitting on the sides of the table have it a lot easier than the people at the ends of the table. Speed cloth helps, but doesn’t change the fact that it’s a long way to deal, when you are sitting at one of the ends.
It has been my experience that the number of players that actually show up for a home game tends to vary, even though you have committed players. We all love the look of those cup holders but, those pretty cup holders dictate the spacing of the player and the number of players. If we leave them out we can space the players out more equitably and have the ability to squeeze in one more.
My present table is round with a diameter of 66 inches It has high quality underlay beneath the cloth to give it that soft feel. This allows for flexibility in the number of players it will sit. I use small folding tables between the players, to hold drinks etc. With only six or seven players, we can spread out. Up to 10 or 11 seem to be comfortably, beyond that it gets a little cramp. I have had as many as 12 people show up and you don't want to say "sorry no room". Even though it gets a little tight, the pots are huge and makes up for lose of comfort room.
Of course plywood comes in 4 by 8 sheets which makes a 60 inch round table difficult. I have heard 5 foot width can be special ordered, by a simpler solution is to cut two half circles from a standard sheet and join them.
[IMG]file:///C:/AAtemp/twohalfs.jpg[/IMG]Attachment not found.
What do you think???
This basic shape however is in direct conflict with the home game because the deal/dealer is changed with every hand. The persons sitting on the sides of the table have it a lot easier than the people at the ends of the table. Speed cloth helps, but doesn’t change the fact that it’s a long way to deal, when you are sitting at one of the ends.
It has been my experience that the number of players that actually show up for a home game tends to vary, even though you have committed players. We all love the look of those cup holders but, those pretty cup holders dictate the spacing of the player and the number of players. If we leave them out we can space the players out more equitably and have the ability to squeeze in one more.
My present table is round with a diameter of 66 inches It has high quality underlay beneath the cloth to give it that soft feel. This allows for flexibility in the number of players it will sit. I use small folding tables between the players, to hold drinks etc. With only six or seven players, we can spread out. Up to 10 or 11 seem to be comfortably, beyond that it gets a little cramp. I have had as many as 12 people show up and you don't want to say "sorry no room". Even though it gets a little tight, the pots are huge and makes up for lose of comfort room.
Of course plywood comes in 4 by 8 sheets which makes a 60 inch round table difficult. I have heard 5 foot width can be special ordered, by a simpler solution is to cut two half circles from a standard sheet and join them.
[IMG]file:///C:/AAtemp/twohalfs.jpg[/IMG]Attachment not found.
What do you think???
Comments
Something I have been meaning to ask the masses here, and maybe or maybe it isn't the right place..but it does have to do with building tables...
I want to be able to have smokers at the table without the heavy smoke in the room..I have fans and what not that I could install in the new poker room and suck the smoke up, and out..but that wouldn't be good for the winter..remember those "smoker eater" ashtrays?? Were they any good? Any other suggestions? Our "regular" group is about 8 players...and 7 smoke..lol..and I hate the breaks in the game.
Plus you can see when people are getting antsy for a smoke and use it to your advantage. When it's getting close to a break, it's usually easier to steal the blinds from those jonesing.
i'd suggest an exhaust fan in one of the windows. if someone really needs to smoke that badly, they can just stand by the exhaust fan and blow the smoke out of it. again, not great for the winter, but better than nothing. you can pick up a little exhaust fan for like $20-$30 easily.
Maybe someone has some ideas on building a better Poker Table.
Rounds with an possible 2 foot insert in the centre gives you the best of both worlds.
You may be right but that table design gives the dealer the optimum position for both dealing and control of the game/chips.
Most home games that I have been to only have one table... so the question is ... How do we make the best table for a home game.
I have found my 66 inch table is boarding on too big.
If the home game is self dealt, round is better.
Look at the self dealt tables at the Chesterfield in Rounders.
If there is a dealer, oval is better.
Idea would be a table with a removeable, centre insert that has a dealer tray. That way you could do self dealt or dealer dealt.
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wtf is up with the spacing. and the first one is not supposed to look like a penis
Hahaha I was thinking the same thing! Next penis pic will result in a 1 day ban, final warning
I didn't know this needed more discussion. Round is definitely better for self dealt, as has been said. Oval for casinos.
Wasn't intending on hijacking...but...The smoking came in as part of table design...I am trying to incorporate it into the table if possible.
The people at my games do go outside...except..when seven people leave an eight player game...it sucks..so..hence..discussion on smoking at the "better" table..lol
I've done some surfing on the net in the past and found literally hundreds of free plans available to build poker tables. When you cost out the materials though, unless you plan on building a really nice custom table it didn't seem worth it. The guys who build them for sale have likely done the shopping and found the best pricing on materials, and have the building down to an efficient science.
Then again, I'm a painter and although I have all the tools required to build one I'm not much of a carpenter.
What diameter do You think wold be the ideal size for a round table.
What if we could get "the guys who build them for sale" to build what we want instead of a "Casino Table" for home game use. Most people that have a home games only have one table. Should we have to hire or provide a dealer? or is having a no-rake game enough?
There is a lot involved in putting together a no-rake home game, so shouldn't the table be designed for that purpose.?
We may even get lucky and find a builder that want's to fill this niche market.
TG Poker Tables Homepage
I'll try and look up the woodworking sites where I found the other plans for tables and post them in this thread. They had all sorts of different designs that home game hosts had made for themselves. Some beautiful stuff and some not so much.
Maybe someone has some ideas on building a better Poker Table
Edited by compuease to remove spam link.... Don't do it again... YOU have been warned..!
I totally agree with the above statement But now the question is: Whats the best diameter (assuming space is not a factor)?
From what I am hearing a 48 inch table can seat up to eight. While a 60 inch table can accommodate 10. A 72 inch table will seat 12 but now it becomes difficult to reach the pot. (A padded rail will add 4 inches)
Do you agree or are my sizes off? ???
What do you think about lowering the table 2 inches to a 28 inch height? ???
Wouldn't that depend on the game you want to host? Height would depend on your chairs...standard table height is 28-30". With a bigger oval table, I have found that people like to lean on the table a lot more looking to the far end when the dealer is down there and the communal cards are nearer the dealer...so that reduced 2" might be nice in that situation. I have a 26" table that is very comfy for my shorter chairs...and I am putting the 48" circle top on that for tonights game...see how it goes.
I wish you had a 60 inch circle ... then we would know if 10 could sit at it comfortably. I will be very interested to see how that little bit lower works. Good Luck with the game.
I have been told, that the dealer's chair at the casinos are always about 4 to 6 inches higher. I will be waiting to hear how your experiment works out.