Round vs oval vs octagon tables for 8 player self dealt games? (2 Viewers)

[Mr. Cheese]

I'm in the boat of a full felt for whatever you do. It makes picking up your cards and sliding chips easier then a racetrack table. Racetrack tables look really cool but I think most will agree full felt all the way to the rail is the way to go.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Slide-under cupholders, FTW.

The "Jumbo" hold any size glass. Since I have a number of marathon runners in my games, it's not unusual to see mega-sized water-bottles that simply wouldn't fit in a smaller cupholder.

Jumbo cupholders are tall enough that they do an excellent job preventing beer bottles from being knocked over, though tipping is possible.

Slide unders never collect chips.

Slide unders can sit left, right, or center of the player as dictated by player preference. Player preference also reduces the possibility of accidental spills.

Octagons dictate a specific zone - from corner to corner - for each player. If a corner is jabbing you in the gut, you're doing it wrong.

Of my 3 tables (10 player oval, 8 player "oval", and 54" octagon), players that expressed a preference prefer the octagon.

However, I will concede that a 10 player oval allows for a little more expansion, and when hosting a tournament two 8-player octagons suck as you will have four at 1 table and five at the other just before the final table.

 

[Stylin]

I prefer a 10 person table, so 10 person oval is the way I go for my personal tables. My pride and joy with all the bells and whistles show off table has a racetrack, the other two don't. Play-ability is best without it. All three have in the rail cup holders and I wouldn't have it any other way. I guess I just like my home games to feel like the casino. It's also nice because it serves as defined seating. Put your cup holder in the middle of your body and everybody has equal rail space.

 

[T_Chan]

I'm not a fan of the slide under cup holders for 2 reasons.

1. It allows cards to potentially slide under the rail.
2. The cup holders then take up playing surface real estate.

 

[mummel]

When figuring out if my room works for a circle vs an oval, how much space on either side do I need to account for when factoring in chairs?

 

[Forest@Farmington]

I have a 54" Octogon and I really like it but, it has racks and a cup holder in each player location and that i do not like. I will be getting a nice round table to go with this octagon in the near future. We play mainly dealer choice games and have between 5 - 8 at the table.

For me it is Round > Octagon > Oval

 

[mummel]

Well it's 9v9 for circle vs oval. Octos are falling behind at 6.

I dont hear many comments as to why people prefer ovals. Space?

 

[Marius L]

Jumbo cupholders

So it is true you have an XL version of everything in America. Lol


On a more serious note +1 for slide-under cupholders. Yes, it will take up some space on the actual felt, but it is very convenient being able to move them around based on the number of players and sitting preferences. And whenever people are not drinking you can just remove them entirely.

As for table I never played a good quality octagon or round, one, only the cheap foldable ones, so it's hard for me to compare to the really nice ovals ones I played on. I can say that for my group oval self dealt worked just fine. Never had any problems with it, , but I can imagine a round one could be as good or maybe better. Don't think I would like octagon though.

 

[Marius L]

Well it's 9v9 for circle vs oval. Octos are falling behind at 6.

I dont hear many comments as to why people prefer ovals. Space?

For me probably space on the room, yes.

 

[doakwolf]

I ruled out octagons because if you have fewer than 8 players then there are weird open spots.

Haha yeah kinda like full rack O.C.D. !

I'm always a fan of round tables. Everyone's equal at a round table. There's no spot which allows for better viewing of poker faces etc. To me, oval tables belong only in a casino/cardroom with a dedicated dealer.

My 2 cents:

Round table, full felt, small raised rail with no cup holders but rather, drink carts on the side. A pedestal type base as well so that players have a good amount of leg room.

You just described my dream table! In fact, that's what I'm currently building. Slow project. I have the pedestal, round (8 person) table top and felt but am still working on how to do the small rail. Drinks off the table definitely suits me best. We tend to get rowdy and beer always gets spilled on my felt (n) :thumbsdown:

 

[abby99]

I also calculated a 54 inch diameter circle table will give each of the 8 players 21 inches of room. Thats not bad. Anyone know what a standard 86 X 44 table provides (how do you calculate this)?

The two half-circle parts: 44" x 3.14159 = 138"
The two straight parts: (86" - 44") x 2 = 84"
Total circumference: 138" + 84" = 222"
For 8 players that's 27.75" each
For 10 players that's 22.2" each

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Well it's 9v9 for circle vs oval. Octos are falling behind at 6.

I dont hear many comments as to why people prefer ovals. Space?

Yup. An oval will generally be around 44" wide. A round that would accommodate 8 players is likely 50-55" wide. I know in my case, an oval fits better in the space I have in the room. My 48" octagon is a tight fit for 8 players to squeeze around. I never use it for more than 6 players.

 

[Trihonda]

My 2 cents:

Round table, full felt, small raised rail with no cup holders but rather, drink carts on the side. A pedestal type base as well so that players have a good amount of leg room.

The master has spoken.

Agree on all points.

I've owned all three types of tables, and if I could fit 10 at a nice round table, and have the space, I'd do so. However, I think 10 people at a round table would require 60" + width, and that is too far a reach (for scooping pots, etc...). I think 54" wides are ok. My last round table was a 51" and it was very nice. However, I really think it was limited to how many people could fit comfortably (I think 7 max, sometimes 8 in a pinch). I loved my round table for smaller dealer's choice games (or with neighbors). It was the most friendly (equal) setting. Ovals are necessary depending on the people.

I wonder how people are measuring their 54" octagons? Are they measuring side to side, or corner to corner (like a TV, lol).

Round > Oval > Octagon

Drink carts > Cupholders in rail > No drinks (go thirsty) > Cupholders in the play surface

 

[Trihonda]

Round tables
Diameter 54.00 inches
Linear circumference is 169.65 inches
Linear rail space per player 28.27 for six players
Linear rail space per player 24.24 for seven players
Linear rail space per player 21.21 for eight players
Linear rail space per player 18.85 for nine players
Linear rail space per player 16.96 for ten players
If decorative nail spacing is 1.50 inches
You need 113.10 nails (buy a few extra)

Round tables
Diameter 60.00 inches
Linear circumference is 188.50 inches
Linear rail space per player 31.42 for six players
Linear rail space per player 26.93 for seven players
Linear rail space per player 23.56 for eight players
Linear rail space per player 20.94 for nine players
Linear rail space per player 18.85 for ten players
If decorative nail spacing is 1.50 inches
You need 125.66 nails (buy a few extra)


Playing on a round table, one must consider that's the outside perimeter. The usable "felt" space on the inside arc is much reduced (as every seat in on a curve). Less room for chips, cards, etc...

Inside Rail Diameters (given a 5" rail, thus 10" overall reduction to calculate the play surface/rail space per player)

54" Round tables
Diameter 44.00 inches
Linear circumference is 138.23 inches
Linear rail space per player 23.04 for six players
Linear rail space per player 19.75 for seven players
Linear rail space per player 17.28 for eight players
Linear rail space per player 15.36 for nine players
Linear rail space per player 13.82 for ten players
If decorative nail spacing is 1.50 inches
You need 92.15 nails (buy a few extra)

60" Round Tables
Diameter 50.00 inches
Linear circumference is 157.08 inches
Linear rail space per player 26.18 for six players
Linear rail space per player 22.44 for seven players
Linear rail space per player 19.63 for eight players
Linear rail space per player 17.45 for nine players
Linear rail space per player 15.71 for ten players
If decorative nail spacing is 1.50 inches
You need 104.72 nails (buy a few extra)

 

[mummel]

Notes to self:

60 inch round = 23.56 inches for 8 players
60 inch round = 18.85 inches for 10 players

42 X 84 oval = 26.99 inches for 8 players
42 X 84 oval = 21.59 inches for 10 players

46 X 84 oval = 27.56 inches for 8 players
46 X 84 oval = 22.05 inches for 10 players

45 X 85 oval = 27.67 inches for 8 players
45 X 85 oval = 22.14 inches for 10 players

44 X 96 oval = 30.28 inches for 8 players
44 X 96 oval = 24.22 inches for 10 players

*Measured out, it feels like 25+" is comfortable

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Here's my octagon table. Simple oak pedestal under it. Rail is 5 inches (really about 6 after the 65 pound foam). 20 inches of room per side.

 

[mummel]

Here, what do you guys think about this setup?

 

[Chicken Rob]

Here, what do you guys think about this setup?

You need better chairs than that. I also agree pedestal legs are better on a round table.

 

[mummel]

Yeah +1 on the pedestal. I was just hunting around for pics to get an idea of what a 60" round would look like. 10 people on a 60 also looks squishy. Im guessing its doable, but 8 should be the goal.

 

[Jambine]

Yeah +1 on the pedestal. I was just hunting around for pics to get an idea of what a 60" round would look like. 10 people on a 60 also looks squishy. Im guessing its doable, but 8 should be the goal.

This was made for 8 but will easily accommodate 10 with players straight out on each end.
It is a 7' ellipse oval and pretty easy to deal from any position (except the ends)

 

[doakwolf]

@mummel - that table is lovely. Really suits my taste. Maybe slightly Christmas-themed! Pedestal base would be heaps better. As for the chips though... lmao

 

[mummel]

This was made for 8 but will easily accommodate 10 with players straight out on each end.
It is a 7' ellipse oval and pretty easy to deal from any position (except the ends)
View attachment 38866

Do you know the circumference / area around the table?

 

[Leonard]

Your mileage may vary:
I have a 58" round table. It is great for 6-7, tight but ok for 8, too small for 9 and miserable for 10 East-Texas-sized poker-playing people.
If you have 6 and will occasionally go to 7 or 8, the round will do. If you have 8 routinely and may go over, you need to go to oval/elliptical.
Don't go bigger than 60" or you will have to stand to scoop every pot.


L

 

[Jambine]

Do you know the circumference / area around the table?

Never thought about it, but I just took a rough measurement. Its about 17' in circumference (204")

 

[mummel]

Never thought about it, but I just took a rough measurement. Its about 17' in circumference (204")

25 inches per person for 8 players. Pretty good.

 

[T_Chan]

Oval tables are great, but your question was directed towards a self dealt game. Dealing from the ends on an oval stinks unless you're good at pitching cards. If you have a dedicated dealer, then oval is my preference. It's the shape that allows for the most space per player.

 

[Chad]

Having never had the pleasure of having a full time dealer at any of our home games, I vote round every time.

 

[BGinGA]

Round vs oval vs octagon tables for 8 player self dealt games?

I prefer to supply an average of two linear feet (24") per player space. For eight players, large round tables are much harder to play on than small ovals. A small 42x76 oval has nearly 25" per player when seating eight, and is not so large as to cause major problems for players on the ends. An 8-player round with that amount of player space would be over 63" in diameter -- which is just too big to play comfortably. For average-length arms, anything larger than a 54" round starts to get tough to reach across to drag pots, and a 54" round only supplies 21.2" of player space if 8-handed. However, a small-footprint 48" round will supply 25" per player six-handed.

This is what I recommend to clients:

• six players or fewer - round, 48" to 50" diameter
• seven players max - 54" round
• seven or more players - oval or ellipse (38x76 minimum)

 

[slisk250]

Oval plus dedicated dealers sitting across from each other is my first choice. The players on either side of the dealers make the cards ready. It works well, there are almost no dealing errors caused by cards flying from the ends, and with 6 people sharing the load, it is what we like best. Round tables need big square spaces that do not exist in our company homes over here.

 

[mummel]

Oval plus dedicated dealers sitting across from each other is my first choice. The players on either side of the dealers make the cards ready. It works well, there are almost no dealing errors caused by cards flying from the ends, and with 6 people sharing the load, it is what we like best. Round tables need big square spaces that do not exist in our company homes over here.

What about having the two people in the middle, on opposite sides, deal? And then after 30min, everyone moves a chair left, and those two dealers rotate?