How big is too big (1 Viewer)

[gmansbu]

I’m going to build a custom table. We play with 8 guys usually, but I want two extra places just in case we get a few extras. So 10 people total. I also want some elbow room for each player and some flexibility on chairs. What is the largest table possible without making scooping pots and dealing annoying.

We currently play on top of a 9 foot pool table whose dimensions are 112”x62”, so we’re used to big. I was going to try and make a topper but it isn’t practical. Better to get rid of the pool table and just build a proper poker table.

 

[BGinGA]

I like 88x44. Seats 8 comfortably, 10 in a pinch. You can extend it to 90" long without adding dealer issues, but I wouldn't want it any wider.

 

[Jake14mw]

My big table I think is 94 x 46. Holds 10 comfortably. If you want big, keep it simple and go with the size of a piece of plywood, 96 x 48. There is certainly no reason to complicate things and go bigger than that.

 

[Sparkynutz]

I have a Barrington, forget how wide it is but it's 84" long.
I also threw together a rectangle table 97x49" for a big tourney I hosted and everybody liked that table better.
I put my barrington back in its usual spot after moving the big table out.
I think ideal for me would be somewhere around 42"x96 or 92"
About half of the guys I play with are bigger-400lb+ so they like the extra room. It was a little tight getting behind people tho at 49"

 

[doublebooyah85]

@Goldfish has a nice size table

I wish I went bigger but we play 9 handed + dealer. I think I went mid 90s.

 

[gmansbu]

is 96 the inside measurement of the table then you have the rail on the outside of that or does 96 include the rail?

Also how about the width of the table? Obviously I’m going with oval shape.

 

[Sparkynutz]

outside

 

[BGinGA]

is 96 the inside measurement of the table then you have the rail on the outside of that or does 96 include the rail?

Also how about the width of the table? Obviously I’m going with oval shape.

Depends on how your rail is designed and constructed. A gravity rail will typically have 1-2" of overhang, making the overall table rail dimensions longer and wider than the table surface dimensions it sits on.

If you want to fully utilize the dimensions of a 4x8 plywood sheet, then plan on a 96"x48" rail measurement (with 24" radius arcs on the ends). The table itself will typically be smaller (but not always, pending design).

 

[Chawks45]

My custom table is 108 x 44 x 30, and it more than comfortably seats nine players, like at a casino poker room. I use the middle spot for my dedicated dealer. The chairs I use are 20.5 inches wide, with 4-inch padding, to give you idea on spacing.

I think if you're not building the table without a dedicated dealer in mind, smaller could be more practical because of the challenge of pitching cards from Seats 2-3 and 7-8 in a rotating self-dealt game.

But it sounds like your group is used to it since you play on a 112 x 62 table.

 

[Taghkanic]

If the game is self-dealt, a long table can mean that most players have trouble pitching the cards from/to seats near the ends. So be prepared for everyone to move cards down the table a lot of the time.

If you’ve got players who are inattentive or unhelpful in the middle seats, this can get pretty annoying.

I wouldn’t go longer than 96” if possible, and personally prefer a shorter table. But then I try to avoid ever playing 10-handed.

 

[Goldfish]

My table is 100x48. my old table is 96x48. I like 48” wide - it provides a good amount of room for the players at the ends of the table. My table seats 9 plus a dedicated dealer just fine. If you do not have a dedicated dealer, having a table this big may make it hard to self deal. For self deal games I think 60” rounds may be better (which is what I used for over 15 years when we self dealt).

100” was as long as I could go for the space I have (I didn’t want people banging into the furniture and people needed to be able to get by the end players), otherwise I might have gone a few inches longer (but not too much cause then it’s too hard for the dealer to reach all the chips).

That brings up another issue - the betting line. If you are going to make your table over 96” long and 44” wide, make sure your betting line dimensions are small enough so players push the chips forward enough so your dealer can reach them. Good luck with the build!

 

[ES_Threeper]

I built my table 92" x 44". That gives 10 players 23.5" of rail space. Your typical stadium seat is around 20" and movie theater seat around 22" (just as a point of reference). I've sat 10 around the table comfortably with nobody ever touching elbows.

However, if I were to build another one I would probably keep the length the same but go a little wider. Probably 92" x 46". That would give the guys in the middle of the table just a little more depth in their zone.

 

[JMC9389]

96 x 44 is just fine for up to 10 players. Weak dealer's sitting on the ends will have a lot of trouble with anything bigger. This size has plenty of room for 8, but 10 or 11 can squeeze no problem.

 

[upNdown]

96 x 44 is just fine for up to 10 players. Weak dealer's sitting on the ends will have a lot of trouble with anything bigger. This size has plenty of room for 8, but 10 or 11 can squeeze no problem.

I’m triggered. I don’t think you have to be a weak dealer to have trouble pitching from the end of a 9 foot oval. How about “everybody except for super duper dealers will have trouble pitching from the ends of anything bigger?”

 

[JMC9389]

I’m triggered. I don’t think you have to be a weak dealer to have trouble pitching from the end of a 9 foot oval. How about “everybody except for super duper dealers will have trouble pitching from the ends of anything bigger?”

Fair enough! Let's just say it's hard to pitch cards from one end of the table to the other on anything larger than an 8 foot table?

 

[Jake14mw]

For any oval table that can seat 10 people pitching cards from one end to another can be difficult. It's difficult on my 94" table.

 

[gmansbu]

Thanks for all the good information. I’m leaning towards 96x44 considering we play with 8 most of the time and only more on occasion. Also my game is self dealt and throwing from end to end is annoying.

What about size of the racetrack vs size of the betting area?

And what’s the preference of cup holders in race track vs rail?

 

[Sparkynutz]

My barrington has useless cup holders. I'd vote none anywhere.
Get side trays/tables or the ones that slide under the rail for only who wants them.

 

[JMC9389]

Thanks for all the good information. I’m leaning towards 96x44 considering we play with 8 most of the time and only more on occasion. Also my game is self dealt and throwing from end to end is annoying.

What about size of the racetrack vs size of the betting area?

And what’s the preference of cup holders in race track vs rail?

Skip the racetrack. Deep XL cup holders in the rail.

 

[Chawks45]

What about size of the racetrack vs size of the betting area?

And what’s the preference of cup holders in race track vs rail?

You're going to get varying opinions on both, but I think the majority of PCF is uniform in saying no to a wood racetrack.

As for the second question - if I could do it from scratch again, I would've gone without cup holders in the rail. My poker room is large enough between the seating area and walls to easily accommodate side tables, and that's what I used for the first two years or so. I prohibited drinks in the holders because my table was brand new and I would've gone on massive tilt if someone spilled a drink on my felt. Yes, the felt is waterproof, but the table is my baby. I only recently started allowing players to place drinks in the holders, but only if they could close the top with a cap, like a bottled soda or water. Most of my regs are conditioned to use side tables at this point, so the cup holders have become convenient phone holders. Side tables for the win.

 

[ovo]

My custom table has a racetrack. If I ever get another, there will be no racetrack. A racetrack is ok, but all felt is better.

 

[Wils]

I’m triggered. I don’t think you have to be a weak dealer to have trouble pitching from the end of a 9 foot oval. How about “everybody except for super duper dealers will have trouble pitching from the ends of anything bigger?”

There's a reason even pro dealers always sit in the middle

 

[Jake14mw]

96x44 should be good. I would suggest going wider though. To me, wider and shorter plays better than narrow and longer.

As others have said, most people will say no to the racetrack. Racetracks were very popular before 2010. Regarding the cupholders, there are varying opinions on that. For me, cupholders would NEVER be in the playing surface, racetrack or not. I don't really like fixed cuphholders in the rail either, but I think most do. All my tables have some sort of swingout cupholders, but that's a rarer solution.

 

[gmansbu]

I like the idea of side tables. Besides all the alcohol we also have a lot of cigar smokers. I’m assuming side tables could handle both drinks and ashtrays. Does anyone have images of what the tables look like?

I can live without the racetrack and cup holders.

 

[upNdown]

I like the idea of side tables. Besides all the alcohol we also have a lot of cigar smokers. I’m assuming side tables could handle both drinks and ashtrays. Does anyone have images of what the tables look like?

I can live without the racetrack and cup holders.

I think unless you have stable side tables that can't be knocked over, with good cupholders built in, you're creating potentially more of a problem. But I suppose most people would rather have 10 drinks spilled on their floor than one drink spilled on their table, so maybe that's fine.

 

[gmansbu]

My poker room used to be a 3 season room and is built with a slatted deck floor on top of a concrete pad. It can be hosed off. So spills are no issue.

 

[Irish]

Obviosuly not finished yet, but this should give you an idea (will have rolling caster wheels)

 

[Jake14mw]

This is the way cupholders on a table should be done!
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/round-table-with-adjustable-swing-out-cup-holders.93934/

 

[nlhenerd]

@GamblingGardener may have input here

 

[gmansbu]

Those flip out cup holders are pretty cool!