Poll - Cup Holders (2 Viewers)

[CraigT78]

In planning mode - so cup holders, which do you prefer?

Note - I do allow drinking at the table, I am under the opinion that drinking and home games go hand in hand. I will not have a racktrack and am leaning to slide under as I like the look of the unboken rail. Love to hear your thoughts.

 

[links_slayer]

slide under > drink carts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>other options

 

[CraigT78]

slide under > drink carts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>other options

I don't really have the space for multiple drink carts - a few sure, so I am really leaning towards slide under. Thanks for your input!

 

[derekdd23]

In the playing surface is so much worse than the other options for me. I'm not a fan of the carts as much either because they get in the way when you have people who are not considerate and tons of other crap ends up going on it too.

Slide in > In rail >>>>>>>> carts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in surface

 

[Poker Zombie]

I have a bad back, and twisting is quite difficult to get at a drink cart. Slide under allows for a lefty and a righty to move 1 holder so they don't have to battle for a holder, and allows those freaks that like their beer centered right in front of them to do so as well.

 

[rowlin]

I voted by rail or by cart, but I hear you on the look of an unbroken rail.

There's only enough room for chips and cards on the felt when people deal as badly as me.

 

[ChipTalker]

I actually like the look and the function of in rail but I know opinion varies... If in rail just make sure they are deep enough not to spill and I prefer players to be seated on center. If a player is in the middle of 2 cup holders then they tend to knock drinks when dealing or reaching.

 

[links_slayer]

I just really hate the in the rail/racetrack/playing surface options because they lack the flexibility.

 

[RowdyRawhide]

In the playing surface is so much worse than the other options for me. I'm not a fan of the carts as much either because they get in the way when you have people who are not considerate and tons of other crap ends up going on it too.

Slide in > In rail >>>>>>>> carts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in surface

this^^^^^^

 

[Stylin]

In the rail. It becomes your placement tool. Put every player so the cupholder is in the center of their body and everybody gets equal rail space.

 

[MoscowRadio]

I gotta go with drink carts. Holders that slide in under the rail are more cost-effective, but I'm a firm believer that the only things on the table should be cards and chips, and maybe what ever goofy card protector that one guy uses.

 

[Trihonda]

I just really hate the in the rail/racetrack/playing surface options because they lack the flexibility.

This for sure. I think you should remove the playing surface as an option. Nobody really thinks it's a good idea.

As to the others, I think it is situationally dependent. If you have the room, I think drink carts are the best. And I like the slide under cupholders, if your table allows it. My table, for instance, is lighted and therefore slide unders will not work. There is also of the consideration that slide unders tend to wear on the underside of the rail, and can rip the vinyl underneath if not used gingerly.

Just my thoughts.

 

[upNdown]

In the rail. It becomes your placement tool. Put every player so the cupholder is in the center of their body and everybody gets equal rail space.

That's fine. Then give them side tables for their drinks.

 

[Poker Zombie]

That's fine. Then give them side tables for their drinks.

Unless they have broken their back and cannot twist left/right. Then give them a slide-under.

 

[upNdown]

Oh, I say slide-unders are the #1 option, if your table can accommodate them.

 

[Marius L]

I voted slide-unders. I like that they are so flexible, and that the players can just remove them if they are not currently drinking. Also nice to be able to have two if people want coffee and water or another combo if theres enough space.

In an ideal world if theres enough space around the table, maybe have drink carts for the ones who wants them and slide-unders for the ones who prefer the drinks on the table... At least not in the playing surface or the rail.

 

[mummel]

Craig, I have them in the rail, and they work great. I wouldn't change a thing. They make the table look pro and it's nice having your beer right there. Also is a nice way of spacing folks out.

Word of advice. If you put them in the rail, get narrow diameter holders (that fit a regular beer bottle vs a whiskey glass etc), and have them be relatively deep. If I hit a bottle with my arm, it's deep enough that it cannot come out. Works perfectly.

 

[Dr. Matt]

I'm a little surprised that slide under is more popular than in the rail. More versatile for sure, but seems contradictory to many of the arguments since you are putting the holder on the playing surface. Is an unbroken rail that much nicer than having the holders in the rail?

I'm genuinely curious as I get ready to purchase my first legit table. And I don't have as much personal experience with all types. Thanks!

 

[BGinGA]

I'm a little surprised that slide under is more popular than in the rail. More versatile for sure, but seems contradictory to many of the arguments since you are putting the holder on the playing surface. Is an unbroken rail that much nicer than having the holders in the rail?

I'm genuinely curious as I get ready to purchase my first legit table. And I don't have as much personal experience with all types. Thanks!

It is the flexibility of the slide-under vs a fixed-position holder in the rail. I detest having a cupholder directly in front of me, and refuse to use one located there.

 

[Trihonda]

I'm a little surprised that slide under is more popular than in the rail. More versatile for sure, but seems contradictory to many of the arguments since you are putting the holder on the playing surface. Is an unbroken rail that much nicer than having the holders in the rail?

I'm genuinely curious as I get ready to purchase my first legit table. And I don't have as much personal experience with all types. Thanks!

As BG said, it's the flexibility. If you have a 10 person table with cupholders built in, what if you only have 7 players? Are the players supposed to stay in their assigned spots, or wouldn't you rather folks spread out a bit? Also, some players prefer the cup holders be in certain areas. Some want the cupholders directly in front of them, and some want it on the side. Sure, people can adjust (just deal with it), but built-in cupholders is not ideal IMHO.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I'm a little surprised that slide under is more popular than in the rail. More versatile for sure, but seems contradictory to many of the arguments since you are putting the holder on the playing surface. Is an unbroken rail that much nicer than having the holders in the rail?

If you have a 10 person table with cupholders built in, what if you only have 7 players? Are the players supposed to stay in their assigned spots, or wouldn't you rather folks spread out a bit?

It's not about a pretty, unbroken rail. If aesthetics was the only concern, we'd all have racetracks in the table. This is purely function over form. Every time my 8' table loses a player from 10 to 9, a little scooting instantly occurs. Over and over. As chipstacks get bigger, more space is naturally needed. What I never need is a bottle directly if front of me on the armrest. If there is a bottle there, where am I supposed to put my arms? On the play surface? You may as well save the money on padding the rail, because you cannot use it.

Word of advice. If you put them in the rail, get narrow diameter holders (that fit a regular beer bottle vs a whiskey glass etc), and have them be relatively deep. If I hit a bottle with my arm, it's deep enough that it cannot come out. Works perfectly.

This one befuddles me. Where do your whisky drinkers put their glass if it is too small to hold a whiskey glass? How about mixed drinks? What if you have an athlete/health nut that drinks large amounts of water or energy drinks from a shaker-bottle or Yeti? How about Coke drinkers that want ice? What if they bring a 1 liter bottle?

You managed to give advice here that says "beer drinkers only", which is awful advice. Especially if one of your beer drinkers drinks Fosters, because they'd have to leave too. If they brought a growler, thus needing a large glass they'd also be screwed. You should change that advice to "for shit beer drinkers only".

If you went with slide unders you could get both sizes, then everyone can play.

 

[mummel]

This one befuddles me. Where do your whisky drinkers put their glass if it is too small to hold a whiskey glass? How about mixed drinks? What if you have an athlete/health nut that drinks large amounts of water or energy drinks from a shaker-bottle or Yeti? How about Coke drinkers that want ice? What if they bring a 1 liter bottle?

You managed to give advice here that says "beer drinkers only", which is awful advice. Especially if one of your beer drinkers drinks Fosters, because they'd have to leave too. If they brought a growler, thus needing a large glass they'd also be screwed. You should change that advice to "for shit beer drinkers only".

If you went with slide unders you could get both sizes, then everyone can play.

Regular 12oz cans and standard beer bottles cover a TON of drink options. Sure, if you want to install a custom martini glass holder then go for it

But if you wanted to accommodate mix drinks and whiskey glasses etc, then I would get carts and keep those drinks away from the table. They are bound to spill at some point, its nearly guaranteed, especially if you have a rowdy bunch like mine. I have wooden side TV tables with rubber coasters to accommodate Zombie's skinny girl margaritas

 

[brains613]

As BG said, it's the flexibility. If you have a 10 person table with cupholders built in, what if you only have 7 players? Are the players supposed to stay in their assigned spots, or wouldn't you rather folks spread out a bit? Also, some players prefer the cup holders be in certain areas. Some want the cupholders directly in front of them, and some want it on the side. Sure, people can adjust (just deal with it), but built-in cupholders is not ideal IMHO.

What? If you go to a meeting, and there are 12 chairs around a conference table, but only 7 people, does that cause an issue for the meeting participants? That's a weird argument. What happens if you start with a full table but three people go busto? You just break the game for the night?

I have actually made and played on tables in three different configurations.

Full felt, no cupholders. Had some slide under cupholders, sometimes used coasters. Sometimes used TV trays near players. Was fine

Cupholders in the playing surface. No issues, even when there were no drinks, chips rarely ended up in the cups. No spills.

Cupholders in a raised rail. No issues.

@CraigT78 - dude, players ultimately don't really care, in my experience. Many are used to playing on converted dining room tables with dice chips. Do what you want. If the game is good, players will happily show up.

 

[brains613]

@mummel @Poker Zombie

I carried a spare cupholder with me in my car for MONTHS looking for glasses that fit in it. I finally found some in Kohl's of all places. Bought 8 tall and 8 short. Easy. (sort of..)

 

[CraigT78]

Thanks for the opinions everyone - I will be going with slide under for my build. Probably the jumbo stainless as I need them to fit pint glasses. Although I do like the the ones with the cut outs for coffee cups. Maybe I will get some of each. I had no idea people would be so passionate about cup holder options

 

[mummel]

@mummel @Poker Zombie

I carried a spare cupholder with me in my car for MONTHS looking for glasses that fit in it. I finally found some in Kohl's of all places. Bought 8 tall and 8 short. Easy. (sort of..)

Great! I was actually thinking about getting some of these for mixed drinks that will work with my cupholders and save my precious table. I mean, I get an ulcer when I see condensation on the rail........

 

[links_slayer]

i actually prefer to have my cup holder (in the rail or slide under - can't recall ever playing on a table with them in the playing surface/racetrack) right in front of me. it greatly reduces the number of times i bump my beverage with my elbows when dragging in pots and stacking chips (rare occurrences) or dealing (more frequent occurrence).

 

[Poker Zombie]

Great! I was actually thinking about getting some of these for mixed drinks that will work with my cupholders and save my precious table. I mean, I get an ulcer when I see condensation on the rail........

How the hell am I supposed to get my olives in/out of that?

Also, with about a dozen female players in my group, the Skinny Girl beverage has made an appearance (and it is awful). Point is, that even players with bad taste are welcome.

I do admit that I do have to resort to coasters for coffee beverages.

So far, since our first games in the mid 2000's, there has been more spilled behind the tables than on the tables. Mostly because there is not a lot of room left in the living room once players start sitting in the chairs. We have side tables, but they're impractical for all but a few seating locations.

 

[brains613]

How the hell am I supposed to get my olives in/out of that?

Also, with about a dozen female players in my group, the Skinny Girl beverage has made an appearance (and it is awful). Point is, that even players with bad taste are welcome.

I do admit that I do have to resort to coasters for coffee beverages.View attachment 63944

So far, since our first games in the mid 2000's, there has been more spilled behind the tables than on the tables. Mostly because there is not a lot of room left in the living room once players start sitting in the chairs. We have side tables, but they're impractical for all but a few seating locations.

Dude. For coffee, just get some styrofoam cups!

 

[Poker Zombie]

And not use custom Zombie mug? Outrageous!

Better idea, but outrageous