Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
May I suggest finding a cheap CL ping pong table? http://nashville.craigslist.org/tag/5316751781.html 60" of contigius wooden surface for less than a couple sheets of plywood?
Table or chips, chips or table...? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Wils
- Start date
May I suggest finding a cheap CL ping pong table? http://nashville.craigslist.org/tag/5316751781.html 60" of contigius wooden surface for less than a couple sheets of plywood?
When I was a photographer I would run into this all the time. I would take a set of photos and present the best of the bunch as the ones I would choose from, the ones with the best lighting, exposure, composition, subject matter, etc. So often, the person choosing the photo would key in on one with blown highlights, chopped off parts, strange things in the background, the last one I would want to use. Maybe because the person had an expression that was unique to them, or the subject was smack in the middle the way they like it, or because they're just not as critical of the details as a photographer is. The little things that drive me nuts in a photo don't phase the layman.
The same is true with chips. A lot of the times, the average player isn't going to care if they play with dice chips, they may even dislike ASMs because they're so light and "cheap" feeling, or Paulsons don't have the clank sound that they're used to. Since the question was asked to chip enthusiasts, it's no wonder that the overwhelming response is for better chips.
In the end it may be that the group would appreciate a better table than "better" chips. The question is probably better asked to the players in your group since they're the ones who would be benefitting from the purchase.
^exactly^
Plus, the same argument used for better quality chips could be used for the table. Sure, this is a poker table that a lot of folks would enjoy playing on because it's "official looking" - they wouldn't know the difference because they've never sat down and played on a solid table like this before.
I play in several different games - one game we play on a eBay folding table and folding chairs with nice custom ASM chips, another is a simple but solid table the owner built, with padded office chairs but official 13.5g slugged plastic chips
. While I much prefer the ASM chips, I'd rather play at the more comfortable table any day of the week. It's not that I don't know the difference between good and not-so-good chips, I just prefer to be comfortable, especially if I'm gong to be playing for several hours at a clip. Plus, if you're building the table yourself, you're going to get a lot more bang for your buck from the table. Drop $400 on materials on a table and you can have a quality table. You'd need triple that for a good quality set of Paulsons or CPCs.Again just my humble opinion.
OP
OP
Wils
Flush
Once again, love hearing peoples thoughts on this subject.
As regards the people I play with, they appreciate the difference but it wouldn't matter to them. Chips are chips and tables are tables. It's just that, for me, as a host, I want it to be the best (by which I mean, better than anyone else's)
As regards the people I play with, they appreciate the difference but it wouldn't matter to them. Chips are chips and tables are tables. It's just that, for me, as a host, I want it to be the best (by which I mean, better than anyone else's
)
manamongkids
Full House
Is it just me or is seating just as important as a table?
a beautiful table with metal folding chairs is a waste IMO
a beautiful table with metal folding chairs is a waste IMO
MaxB
Full House
I wish I had I great looking table with speed cloth, max comfort, padded rail.......wait a min, I do
catalyzeme
3 of a Kind
ssanel54
Flush
It's just that, for me, as a host, I want it to be the best (by which I mean, better than anyone else's
Are you always hosting? With Chips, you can bring them to others peoples house and improve their game...but this can also be a PITA as well, and as others have stated, not always appreciated.
Probably just splicing them. So long as the joints from the top and bottom of the rail are on different sides, then you're rail will be strong enough, the rail isn't adding much structural integrity to this table anyway.
brews
Sitting Out
I'd have to go with chips. Since you already have a usable table, I don't think it should be a priority. Playing with good chips is a pleasure no matter the table. Playing on a nice table with crap chips is just no fun.
I'd rather play with dice chips on a nice table rather than nice chips on an unpadded cheap fet table. When you can't get your fingers under the cards to look at them it's a hassle, and cheap felt feels annoying on my hands making it an unpleasant experience. Plus people use their fingernails to get under them unintentionally marking them. I think it sounds like the OP has a nicer table than that though. I'm just saying...
brews
Sitting Out
Okay, that's true. I'm sure at some point most of use have played on a glass table and that is pretty horrific. I can't even pick up the cards.
I have to agree with this. When I was remodeling my basement (and before my poker table came), we were playing on the dining room table. Had to bring the cards to the edge of the table to look at them. I would not want to use nice chips on a hard table surface either.
HanShot1st
Two Pair
It seems that the same advise has been offered repeatedly... chips then table...
Get the chips... (i don't want to get kicked off the forum)
then build the table... Build it and they will come...
Get the chips... (i don't want to get kicked off the forum)
then build the table... Build it and they will come...
Meddler2
Full House
Table building, especially when you already have the base etc, is relatively easy. That table posted above could be transformed very nicely in a few hours.
Last edited:
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
Trust me, table building is easy. I built 3, and have next to zero woodworking skills. I once had an angry mob from the local Audubon society demand I stop building birdhouses.
Excellent idea sir! Always better when you recycle, reuse, renew!
Much simpler and cheaper.
If your table is halfway decent and has a padded rail you're probably better then 50% of home games that I've played in here already. I would definitely go for chips first. I've got ASM and Casino Paulsons, and CPS tournament chips. Love them all, as do my players now.
Keep checking eBay and the classifieds for chips (eBay.fr too), I think you should be able to pick up something that suits - worth stretching the chip budget to max I think, even consider a small custom tournament set ASM set that you could add on to.
Also you will already be aware that unlike the states/Canada second hand good tables/projects on gumtree (UK Craigslist) are much much rarer as poker is not as popular. Scan eBay regularly for good ones though, most are pick up only so you can pick up a bargain if you keep your eyes peeled. Poker tables sorted by distance is a saved search for me.
Again unlike the states and unless you live in a mansion, you probably don't have a dedicated poker room in a huge basement so buying poker chairs wouldn't be practical for storage etc. Although I appreciate what folk are saying about comfy chairs for a session, I've sat on a wooden folding ikea chair for a few sessions, as my back reminds of every so often...
This sounds so similar to my family. They frame pictures that are out of focus, large parts of people cut off, poorly lit etc etc. Drives me bananas but they love the photos.
So many good answers so far, just to throw one more opinion into the mix... most of what we consider a "good" set of chips is going to cost well north of $500... and usually over $1000. There are a lot of improvements you can make to your home game with that kind of money before new chips, in my opinion.
Also we don't really know what quality table you currently have. You can usually find big sturdy dinner tables on CL for ~100, and with another ~100-150 of materials and some work, turn it into a pretty awesome table.
Let's assuming someone is starting from the bare minimum, here would be my upgrade schedule:
(starting setup: existing kitchen table, mixed chairs/maybe some folding, dice chips, paper cards)
> new cards (cartamundi are a great cheaper choice)
> enough decent chairs to supplement what you have to make sure everyone's ass/back is comfortable for 4+ hours
> homemade table described above (roughly $200-300)
> china clays ($200-300)... (of course you can skip right to the good chips here if you want
)
This gets you a really solid setup, but without paying a real premium on anything. Then you start to upgrade into the premium stuff:
> real set of chips ($500 - $1000+)
> then either get a professionally made table or a new set of chairs depending on the quality of your current stuff
But no matter what you upgrade, you can't really go wrong. I'm building a table from an old kitchen table and will post some pics soon
Also we don't really know what quality table you currently have. You can usually find big sturdy dinner tables on CL for ~100, and with another ~100-150 of materials and some work, turn it into a pretty awesome table.
Let's assuming someone is starting from the bare minimum, here would be my upgrade schedule:
(starting setup: existing kitchen table, mixed chairs/maybe some folding, dice chips, paper cards)
> new cards (cartamundi are a great cheaper choice)
> enough decent chairs to supplement what you have to make sure everyone's ass/back is comfortable for 4+ hours
> homemade table described above (roughly $200-300)
> china clays ($200-300)... (of course you can skip right to the good chips here if you want
)This gets you a really solid setup, but without paying a real premium on anything. Then you start to upgrade into the premium stuff:
> real set of chips ($500 - $1000+)
> then either get a professionally made table or a new set of chairs depending on the quality of your current stuff
But no matter what you upgrade, you can't really go wrong. I'm building a table from an old kitchen table and will post some pics soon
OP
OP
Wils
Flush
Host, mostly. I'm the only one with a dedicated half-okay poker table.
Much appreciate all the great advice and comments so far, folks.
manamongkids
Full House
I would advise that the one good thing about mid-tier, high grade chips is that they are re-sellable, you can always turn them around to sell.
tables on the other hand are more difficult to sell
tables on the other hand are more difficult to sell
atomiktoaster
Full House
Can you post a pic of the current table? That might help a bit.
OP
OP
Wils
Flush
I can, but its under wraps for the winter. (Something else I need to spend money on is insulation for the garage/shed where we play)
It's a four ft wide round table, red felt, padded rail, folding legs. White logo written in paint or something that I'm scared is going to scratch my copags. It only cost £30 (about $45)
The way I see it, I get a better table, its an instant impact as soon as you walk in the room. I get better chips, the impact is not immediate (you don't notice them to begin with) but its more sustained.
Chips for the style, table for the comfort, I guess.
It's a four ft wide round table, red felt, padded rail, folding legs. White logo written in paint or something that I'm scared is going to scratch my copags. It only cost £30 (about $45)
The way I see it, I get a better table, its an instant impact as soon as you walk in the room. I get better chips, the impact is not immediate (you don't notice them to begin with) but its more sustained.
Chips for the style, table for the comfort, I guess.
Honestly I would much rather play at a kitchen table with a roll-out table topper (you can find these real cheap) and a nice set of chips (CC at least) then play on a nice table with dice chips.
Something like this
Something like this
Table>Chairs>Cards>Chips
Playing on a terrible table in uncomfortable chairs is too much to handle. I love my chips but I would gladly play in someone else's game with bad chips as long as we don't spend all night picking cards up off the floor or squirming in horrible chairs. I have had tons of compliments about my table and my Gassers. People recognize that my chips are nice but at the end of the day most don't really care.
Playing on a terrible table in uncomfortable chairs is too much to handle. I love my chips but I would gladly play in someone else's game with bad chips as long as we don't spend all night picking cards up off the floor or squirming in horrible chairs. I have had tons of compliments about my table and my Gassers. People recognize that my chips are nice but at the end of the day most don't really care.
Poker Zombie
Royal Flush
Bad chips are easy to duplicate. Dice chips are everywhere for pennies. 1 or 2 chips from your pocket onto the table puts you right smack dab into the money.
I'd much rather stand up once an hour to stretch and win than to sit comfortably and be fleeced.
A well run game is a secure game. Plastic cards (tougher to nick), difficult to forge chips.
I'd much rather stand up once an hour to stretch and win than to sit comfortably and be fleeced.
A well run game is a secure game. Plastic cards (tougher to nick), difficult to forge chips.
Create an account or login to comment
You must be a member in order to leave a comment
Create account
Create an account and join our community. It's easy!
Log in
Already have an account? Log in here.
