[FreckleDaddy]

Originally Posted by drake

We have a center dealer that also plays in my game and it works out pretty well using an Oval Table. Most House games rotate the deal, If you going to do this a Round or Octagon Table is the way to go.

So it will hang over the ends of a table fine? From the pics it looked pretty stiff. As well how does it stand up to people slowly pulling it to one end of the table. We have this one guy that we call spider limbs because like every 15 minutes we have to fix the table cloth.

FD

[R Deckard]

My table pad doesn't drape straight down like a tablecloth when put on a small table, but a few inches extra doesn't cause much of a problem. If the table is much smaller then I break out the duct tape.

I put the headliner fabric with the foam side down, and the foam is grippy enough to prevent it sliding on the tabletop. And because the topping fabric is bonded to the headliner foam all around the edges, it doesn't slide around either.

For an oval table pad, I would at least cut the headliner fabric to conform to the tabletop, and then use a little spray adhesive between the topping fabric and headliner to prevent it from sliding around or wrinkling. The excess topping fabric could then just drape down naturally like a tablecloth, and you wouldn't have to bother with the difficulty of wrapping fabric around curved edges.

Remember not to use common fabric store felt--it will pill and shed. You want to use "upholstery/home decor" type fabrics like faux suede or velvet.

[Billjr13]

We have that problem with players moving the tablecloth around too.

I found a simple way to fix it though. Take four of the big black spring type paper clips and use them to anchor your cloth to the table. When you are done playing just pull the clips off and because the cloth is between the clips and the table it wont mare the surface.

[shadesofgrey]

When I started, I just used a heavy wool blanket. I got it for $8 at an army supply shop. Worked great. It didnt move much due to the heft, thick enough to feel as if you are on a padded table. Probably could have used the big fat black paper clips to secure it.

$8 vs. +$100 for a table top? I saved up for a reasonable octagon and came across a good trade for some table work. I had a buddy of mine build it for $100 & i bought the materials (and I traded some computer work). He built it based on another players table that I liked.

I bought a round "project" table at a garage sale for $25 which I intend to cover in pad/felt, and build a octagon rail and racetrack around it.

Definately take your time on the purchase. I dont think a +$130 plastic table top is the best start. Heck, you might be good with a blanket and an empty rack for each player... a $20 solution.

[LordOmicron]

For the prices of those tables, you would be well on your way to building a basic home table that would be of MUCH higher quality. If you look at Scott Keens poker forum, it's a great resource. You can build a basic table (green felt, railing with folding legs) for pretty cheap.

One of my friends has one of those tables you linked to... it's flimsy (one sheet of particle board), with felt that balls up a lot, and the cupholders aren't. If you want, go for it, but you'd be happier with a homebuilt table. You can do a basic one for not much more than what those cost.

[Annorax]

Originally Posted by LordOmicron

For the prices of those tables, you would be well on your way to building a basic home table that would be of MUCH higher quality. If you look at Scott Keens poker forum, it's a great resource. You can build a basic table (green felt, railing with folding legs) for pretty cheap.

One of my friends has one of those tables you linked to... it's flimsy (one sheet of particle board), with felt that balls up a lot, and the cupholders aren't. If you want, go for it, but you'd be happier with a homebuilt table. You can do a basic one for not much more than what those cost.

Seconded. I've played on one of those tables also, and "piece of ****" is an understatement. A blanket on a dining room table would've been better.

[Wylecoyo]

Originally Posted by Annorax

A blanket on a dining room table would've been better.

This is how we play every week. About 95% of our players are active duty military officers which means we all move every 18-24 months. Rather than put money into a nice table which I don't really have room for and would run the risk of being messed up in a move, I have put my money into nice chips and a Pelican case which will doubtlessly survive anything a moving company can dish out.

I have a couple of thick plush velor blankets I bought for about $12.00 each from Target which we just drape over my dinning room table and, when necessary, a huge folding table from Costco. All in all its a pretty decent solution - they have nice colors, are thick enough to offer some padding, soft enough to offer a nice playing surface and are very easy to store and clean. Best of all, if they get ruined or damaged they are easily replaceable. Certainly not elegant, but effective.

[jmda]

I have built 3 tables and only one was more than the two you showed, but I used suited poker cloth, velora foam, etc. You can make a table for less than $120 and it will be nicer and will last longer. Your friends can chip in since they are playing on it too. If you have 3 kids, I assume you have a mini-van so transport should not be a problem.

If you have any questions on how to do it - I would be happy to elaborate, but the forum mentioned above is probably a better resource.