Underail cupholders or built in? Racetrack or no racetrack? 48", 53" or 60" round table? (1 Viewer)

[TrainerRed]

There's enough experience in this forum to the point that it's possible we have members that have all options.
What have been the pros and cons of each?
Note, a 53" foldable table (non-poker) does exist and it's sold on Amazon. The more typical options are 48" and 60" foldable tables.
I was thinking in buying it since some think 48" is okay but could go bigger, and 60" is too big for many to reach the center pot.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

How many players typically?

Do you and your players drink?

My preference is 60" with built in jumbo cup holders that will fit a rock glass. Fits 8 comfortably, the other sizes would only fit 5 or 6 comfortably. We drink, so I like my drink right in front of me. I tried without drink holders and just using side tables. It sucked!!

Edit: I'm indifferent on the race track. I have both with and without.

 

[TrainerRed]

How many players typically?

Do you and your players drink?

My preference is 60" with built in jumbo cup holders that will fit a rock glass. Fits 8 comfortably, the other sizes would only fit 5 or 6 comfortably. We drink, so I like my drink right in front of me. I tried without drink holders and just using side tables. It sucked!!

7. We have been playing on the ESPN table my friend has, self dealing, and of course, the round corner edge player has trouble dealing and collecting chips. I think that's dumb since we never have a dedicated dealer. Might as well go round table.
Yes, we drink.

I've played at a card-house that had side tables for food and in-built cup holders. It takes tons of space to host a game like that!

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

7. We have been playing on the ESPN table my friend has, self dealing, and of course, the round corner edge player has trouble dealing and collecting chips. I think that's dumb since we never have a dedicated dealer. Might as well go round table.
Yes, we drink.

I've played at a card-house that had side tables for food and in-built cup holders. It takes tons of space to host a game like that!

My recommendation would be the 60". I have 2 main tables. 1 is 60" and the other is 68". I like the extra space from the 68", but that would be unnecessary for 7 players.

My buddy has a nice 54", and it's too cramped for 7 or 8, especially if you have any large or tall players. They always feel the need to man spread into other player's space.

The cup holders in the table also create defined space for each player, which is an added bonus to keep the man spreaders in check...LOL.

Good luck!!

 

[Colquhoun]

When you guys make them 60”, that is the diameter including the rail, correct?
How big is your rail?

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

When you guys make them 60”, that is the diameter including the rail, correct?
How big is your rail?

That is correct. The rail on my 60" is 4.5" (5" with padding and vinyl covering). I personally like a wider rail and would have gone with a 6" rail, and no race track.

My buddy built my 60" table as a project with his kids. He went with the following:

4.5" rail (width without padding)
5" race track
41" playing surface.
Cup holders in race track

On my 62" (used to be 68", but I cut it down) I went with.

7" rail (width without padding)
48" playing area
Cupholders in rail

Also, mine are octagon not round, but same concept.

 

[GenghisKhan]

Racetracks are a personal choice.
In previous polls, the preference was no racetrack, no cupholders in the table surface.

Having had both, I'd go no racetrack and no cupholders. Racetrack is harder to clean and the wood surface can get damaged. But mostly, it causes issues with cards flipping over. Also chips and cards falling into empty cupholders.

I'd go full custom cloth next time.

 

[Organista1]

I tried without drink holders and just using side tables. It sucked!!

I’m thinking of buying a table and going without cup holders. I own about 5 tables all cup holders but I might spend $2k on a nice table last thing I want is a buddy to spill their drink while dealing. I’m not sure which path to take, casinos don’t have cup holders.

 

[Organista1]

Oh and I own a race track and thought I was the coolest out of our group but I prefer no race track now just seems more legit without it

 

[Organista1]

Any thoughts on lights vs no lights on the rail?

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I’m thinking of buying a table and going without cup holders. I own about 5 tables all cup holders but I might spend $2k on a nice table last thing I want is a buddy to spill their drink while dealing. I’m not sure which path to take, casinos don’t have cup holders.

I did the same thing when I refinised my table. Went from cup holders to no cup holders. I lasted a couple of months and couldn't stand it, so I cut the cup holders back in. It's a personal preference, but I like my drink right next to me when I play. Also, It's pretty tough to spill with deep jumbo cup holders. Even with a full beer.

I'm sure I could spill it if I tried, but I think the video is representative of what might happen while playing. And fyi, that ain't my crap beer. Just one I was willing to toss out for demonstration purposes...LOL!!

But I understand wanting to keep drinks off a new table.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Any thoughts on lights vs no lights on the rail?

I don’t like the lights. Sometimes changes the colors of the chip.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

Any thoughts on lights vs no lights on the rail?

I don’t like the lights. Sometimes changes the colors of the chip.

Oh wow...I didn't consider that. I've never had lights, but always thought it was cool. But definitely not if it changes the chips colors.

 

[Organista1]

None of my tables have jumbo holders but that’s nice that it is hard to tip over onto the felt. You might have convinced me. My original thought is that the table looked better without them and I know having to reach elsewhere to grab your drink sucks. Now I have to reconsider thanks

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

None of my tables have jumbo holders but that’s nice that it is hard to tip over onto the felt. You might have convinced me. My original thought is that the table looked better without them and I know having to reach elsewhere to grab your drink sucks. Now I have to reconsider thanks

Completely a peraonal preference, but I'm a lazy drinker amd like my drink right there.

I completely agree, tables look better without. That's the reason I got rid of the race track and the cup holders at first. Brought the cup holders back, but I don't miss the race track at all.

As a side note, I noticed that I had to be the drink police when I got rid of the cup holders. Players wanted to put their drinks on the felt instead of the side table. Kind of hard to police that when I had my rock glass right in front of me. I basically got them used to having their drinks right there, and then took the norm away from them.

 

[Organista1]

Yea I can see that’s going to be an issue at my place as well plus I don’t have those little tables like the casino which I’d assume take up to much space. Lol I have friends that think it’s ok to put their corona on the felt even when there’s a cup holder smh. They’ll stand up to deal and place beer on felt. Ok now I have to decide Lol

 

[grebe]

For 8 or less, round wins for me. @Seeking Alpha Social Club tables are great, but octagons are personally awkward for me....I always set up on the corner....so the drink is right in front just as Kevin said. I don't know why this is what I do, but I do. Round table makes it easier to set up for any number 8 or less and no awkward angles for somebody at the ends. This is all for self dealt games, mind you.

Racetracks: unnecessary flair. I prefer felt.
LED lights: personally not a fan at all. At best they are not helpful. At worst they are colored and distracting.

My next table will be built for 7 max mixed games and will be a simply built 60" round.

 

[TrainerRed]

I had a feeling this was the only place on the internet where we could actually see a spill-test video on poker tables

 

[MoT519]

I vote for the jumbo cup holders on the rails. They can hold beer or a rocks glass. Plenty of drunks at my games and zero spills so far. Lots of bumps of beer bottles, but the jumbo holders are deep enough to keep the drinks upright. My past tables didn't have holders, and it's a matter of time until someone puts a drink on the table.

I have lights on my table, but end up dimming them quite a bit because they can become a distraction and alter the chip colors. Blue lights are great if you can get those....then you can see the glow in the dark effect of various chips.

 

[Jake14mw]

Size - If you typically have 7 players, then definitely round. I made a 58" round and now only use one of my ovals if we have more than 8 players. I have found that 58" inch is JUST big enough for 8 people, and perfect for 7 people. I have never noticed any issue at all reaching pots. If I was to make another, I would make it a 60" round.
Racetrack - NO
Cup holders - I am overboard with my cup holder opinions. I don't like table clutter, so all my tables have either swing out cup holders from under the outside rail, or my latest invention. https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ers-my-answer-to-the-cup-holder-debate.64594/. That is a fantastic solution, but a PITA to do, so way too much for most people.
Lights - I like the look and the functionality of them

Good luck!

 

[Taghkanic]

There's enough experience in this forum to the point that it's possible we have members that have all options.
What have been the pros and cons of each?
Note, a 53" foldable table (non-poker) does exist and it's sold on Amazon. The more typical options are 48" and 60" foldable tables.
I was thinking in buying it since some think 48" is okay but could go bigger, and 60" is too big for many to reach the center pot.

I prefer to use these cupholders which slip under the rail, as they allow for the most flexibility. Those who are not drinking at the table (WHAT IS THEIR PROBLEM) don’t have to have one. In a tournament, with players moving around and tables changing the numbers of players, it means you can seat people in endless configurations but not have to worry where the cupholders fall. I have two sizes (one the diameter of a beer bottle, the other wider to accomodate rocks glasses, travel mugs, etc.):