[TripKings]

I know this will come across as blasphemy to many, but I have a serious question. I currently have a 61' round table that I built myself, it seats 8 very comfortably and works great. I'm pondering plans to make another one much like it(so I have 2 - and I want one with a nicer rail than the stuff from casinosupply.com). Anyway, I'm not even considering a "traditional" oval-shaped "hold 'em table". Why does *eveyone* build them oval-shaped? I played at a friends last weekend and he built an oval table - and with a rotating deal it absolutely sucked playing poker on it.... a round kitchen table would have been better, seriously. Does everyone seat 9+ players & use one dealer or what? I know why casinos prefer the use of oval tables for hold 'em, but why do you? Fire away.

[jgownsu]

I bought an oval table because it was alot bigger than the round table and octagon tables that were offered.

Why do casino's prefer the oval tables?

[TripKings]

Originally Posted by jgownsu

IWhy do casino's prefer the oval tables?

A 10 player hold 'em game only requires ~28 cards, in theory the game could be played with 44 players to one deck... the more players the longer it will take for the average player to get ground down by the rake(more money for the house). There is a fixed dealer and that dealer has easier access to everyone's chips on an oval table. Space is a concern in a casino, the oval-shaped tables save space.

IMHO, for a home game I see the negatives of an oval table as: 1. Ovals are a somewhat anti-social, it's more comfortable if you are able to talk directly to and see everyone at the table. 2. Strategy; I like to be able to look directly at each player. 3. Rotating deal, it's nearly impossible to deal from the end of an oval. I don't see anyone in our game wanting to be the designated dealer in the middle - and some wouldn't want the same dealer all night(you know how many people think about luck). I think it would create a more sterile/serious environment and would suck for the dealer. I want everyone to call and deal their favorite game, have fun and gamble it up. 4. "Flop games" are the only poker games that you can play with 10+ players.... we sometimes like to mix it up. 5. Unless it's a tourney I think 6-8 players is ideal for a poker game.

The only positive I see is being able to seat 10-12 players at one table.... and then you almost have to have a designated dealer(last weekend everyone that delt from near the ends stood up to deal.... and we still had ~10 flipped cards - aarrggg!). JMHO.

[Bhudio]

Oval? With the dealer in a fixed position is probably alot easier for them. I myself have an octagon but wish I had an oval just for the room it provides. Unfortunatly I don't have the room to hold the table.

[jgownsu]

In our tournaments we rotate the deal until someone gets knocked out then that person usually deals until there are enough people out for a cash game.

For my own reason I could have gotten a cheaper table and went with dice chips or more of my royal suited generic chips but I like nice stuff, hence the new table, soon (fingers crossed) NJ Sands chips, Kem cards etc. I also want the guys that come over to enjoy themselves and want to come back.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by Bhudio

Oval? With the dealer in a fixed position is probably alot easier for them. I myself have an octagon but wish I had an oval just for the room it provides. Unfortunatly I don't have the room to hold the table.

[smoore]

Round tables work well for the social aspect but it's still a multiple person activity to get a pot to someone on a 5ft round (unless the winner stands up to rake it). I don't like that much. Oval tables work great if there's a dedicated dealer but the people at the ends have a hard time of it. I don't like that much, either.

My solution is that I'll build my next tables as 4x6 ovals. If the dealer at the end can't pitch a card 6ft he probably can't pitch it 5ft either. If the pot is in the middle, a 5ft 6in person can pull it from the end of the table by standing up (I tested the reach). I always bank for the game and will put in a drawer for the dealer tray on one side of the table so that there's no tray impeding in the playing surface. I may put a drawer for my particular chip cases in instead of a tray, I'm not sure.

If my math is adequate, this table will hold 8 players quite comfortably and will seat 10 in a pinch. I use folding samsonite chairs that don't take up much room (uncomfortable though) so if your chairs are bigger 10 won't fit.

I haven't laid out mockups of the tables but quick measurements show me that three of these should fit in my living room (tight). Only two 3.5x8ft or 5ft round tables will fit in the same space. YMMV

[CaptLego]

Originally Posted by jgownsu

Why do casino's prefer the oval tables?

My guess is that oval tables pack more customers per sq. ft. of casino.