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Looking for something fun to do at home? A good poker night can bring people from every part of your life to the table — literally.
The popular card game is something everyone can come together and enjoy. You don’t necessarily need to know when to hold ’em or fold ’em to start playing, but you will, however, need a good poker table.
What to Look For When Buying a Poker Table
Number of people: How many are coming to poker night at your place? It’s best to overestimate a little, in order to provide personal space and privacy to each player. For example if a table says it can accommodate eight, assume that six is a comfortable fit.
Markings: Consider if you’ll be using your table for other casino games besides poker, or even if you’ll only be using it for one specific type of poker. Some tables are designed to double for games like baccarat, craps, blackjack, and roulette. Raised lettering and graphics on the felt can interfere with dealing cards though, so try to keep it as simple as possible.
Padding: This may seem like an afterthought, but for long tournaments where your players will be leaning on the table for hours, comfort is pretty crucial. Padded arm rests usually encircle the length of the table to provide equal amounts of cushioning for everyone’s wrists. A bit of padding under the tabletop felt also helps to minimize “chip bounce,” while good quality cloth will let your cards glide smoothly across the surface as you deal.
Durability: Tables made of solid wood are better at withstanding weight, but metal sets up and folds up easier. The general construction of the table is important too, making sure the cupholders are in place and won’t slip out over time, for example, which can leave a mess on the floor underneath. Waterproof felt is a rare quality, but a nice one in case someone spills their drink all over the table. And of course, you’ll want a sturdy set of legs to keep your table firmly planted.
Storage: If space is limited, consider going for a model that folds up and fits under a bed or in a closet after the game is over.
Additional Features: Some tables include extra stuff to aid the games, like decks of cards, chips or a carrying case.
Your next poker night starts with a great table, and we’ve selected four of our favorite ones to get your game started right away. Perfecting your skill, and your poker face, though, may take a little longer.
