A Folding Poker Table Top – 3 Things to Look For Before You Buy
If your poker games are getting boring then a folding poker table could be just what you need to spice up the party. I doubt you would play chess on a chessboard drawn on a piece of cardboard with bottle caps for pawns. It’s just missing something.
Well, felt cloths with poker graphics painted on them are a possibility if you don’t mind the folds and the slipping around.
A poker table top brings a more realistic feeling to the game, more like playing at a casino. You can pick from many designs and shapes, so your needs will dictate which top you should choose. I will cover the main things to consider before you make the purchase to be sure you are going to get out of it what you hoped for.
1. Size and shape: If you currently are playing on a kitchen or dining table that is either round or square, and around 48 inches plus/minus 8 inches, you would want to look at the octagon poker table tops. The rectangle shaped table tops should be used on similar shaped tables. What manufacturing substance was used for the base and the size of the table top does count toward your decision. For a foam top, you should not extend over the edges of the table you will sit it on by more than a few inches. The wooden tops can be as much as 4 – 6 inches over the edges without too much problem. The reason you care is that if someone leans on the table top with their arms or elbows, the top will tip or pop up in the middle and your chip stacks will be knocked over. This can get real irritating.
I have had several people ask me if they can use a 36″ card table as a base, and generally I would say no. The legs on a game table are really not stable enough for the heavy weight of the wooden tops.
An folding leg octagon poker table is a great alternative if you don’t have a table that will work. If you have a large enough area to put one, you could go with a stationary poker table.
2. Materials: There are 2 basic materials used to make poker table tops. The less costly, lower weight foam tops. The upside is they are great for traveling games where you play at a different persons’ house every game because of their light weight and carrying case or bag with handles. They can be folded nicely and weigh under 20 lbs making the very portable. Replacing these as wear out is one detriment when compared to the more enduring wood table tops. They are also a cheaper priced gift for someone who is really a poker nut.
The wooden based table are usually made of 1/2″ to 5/8″ plywood and are more durable than the foam. Just like poker tables, they also have some premium options such as padding under the felt and cushioned arm rests providing a more casino atmosphere. Their heavier weight makes them much less vulnerable to being knocked over when you lean on it or leave the table.
Since it’s much easier to transport the foam tops I use them for games I host, and wood for ones hosted by buddies. Off the topic, but we also play on a folding poker table.
3. Features: Once you have determined what size, shape, and material your table top should be, the most fun part is to select the colors and designs. There are tops made specifically for Texas Holdem, some for multiple games like craps and roulette as well as poker, and some that you can pretty much use with any card game. Due to the lower shipping costs foam tops will be cheaper, but they also seem to have the more interesting graphics. The higher quality wooden tops are similar to poker tables in that they have pads under the felt and cushioned arm rest. The quality of the felt is also better and more consistent with real casino tables.
The best wooden tops’ felt padding gives them a more realistic sound and feel. The chips don’t bounce as much and have a more muted casino like sound when they strike each other. The cards slide better on the higher quality felt when you deal too. The soft armrest is also appreciated on those tournament games that go on for hours. If you are willing to pay the extra for a premium top it is worth it, even though they lack the portability of the foam tops since they are so much heavier.
I hope this article has provided you the information you need to select a folding poker table top that suits your needs whether as a gift or for yourself. I can assure you that you will never want to go back to playing on a blanket on the kitchen table once you play on one of these. Happy Gaming!
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