New member, new build, new style? (1 Viewer)

[PokerNoob]

Hello!
New to this community.

This was my most recent build and so I was looking for any suggestions/comments/opinions. My intentions are at some point to build the railing up with some moderate to low light led strips behind a frosted acrylic wall around the interior and exterior edge of the table. I'm trying out a new style that I haven't seen done anywhere else so opinions are welcome!

Also I've bought a mid century modern Herman Miller table legs to swap out the current. I'll update with pictures when I make the swap.

Thanks and nice to meet you all!

 

[Trihonda]

First off welcome. This forum has no shortage in poker table expertise. Many here were also contributors to several poker table forums.

So, I commend you on pushing the envelope of design... I really like unique design, and your table shines in that regard. However, the most important aspect is playability... and that is where your table design fails imho.

1- the rail is very wide. This requires a big lean in by players

2- there are cup holders on the same level (actually below) of the play surface. This is a recipe for disaster. It takes up valuable play surface real estate, and the cup holders just wind up collecting stray poker chips... table golf anyone?

3- the raised SSC play surface looks cool... but where will Players chips go? On this SSC play surface? Or on the wooden race track? It’s hard to slide chips back and forth (during betting), when these surfaces aren’t on the same level, and if your chips are on the SSC fabric it doesn’t leave much room for play... cards, etc...

Trust me in that these playability issues are often overlooked by novice builders, and your table design violates a ton of table building faux pas. Ask yourself, do you want a work of art, a table that plays amazingly well, or both? Right now you just have one...

 

[Justin Olson]

welcome.

 

[Darson]

It's clear you have some serious building skills - the fit and finish of that table is great! I'm more than a little jealous at your capabilities.

Your design is what we would call a racetrack but with a much wider rail (arm rest) than usual. Most people here hate racetracks. Since we're chip people, we like to shuffle chips and shuffling chips on a hard surface will make an annoying amount of noise. Hence the typical design will be a full width playing surface with a printed betting line to demarcate the in-play and out of play chips. I have seen some designs where the two areas are level yet made of separate colour cloths to provide the visual division.

Also, your rail looks like it has barely any padding. Since the rail mainly functions as an arm rest, padding is desirable for long term comfort. We would typically use 1/4" foam for the playing surface and 1" foam for the rail.

Of course, this is all down to personal preference and if you and your pals like it then that's what matters. For me personally, I would feel sad that so much effort was put into a poker table yet it provides no more benefit than a foam mat on the dining table.

 

[PokerNoob]

So far good advice. A little background info to add.

The 6" railing is surprisingly comfortable with the 1/4" closed cell. I went with a high grade foam (after testing multiple materials) that gave ample support. I see what your talking about with the lower track and attached a image with a fix. I have 1/4" high grade rubber flooring (what you find in workout facilities) left over that I cut to fill all voids and act as a "spacer" as well as a "noise dampener" for those chip shufflers out there. When I get some time after my current build I'll most likely cover that track with a off color speed cloth. (Which would also make the finish height similar to the playing surface). As for the drink holders in a lower elevation, we've played for nearly 15 years and I would say very very rarely do we have chips falling into them aside from the rogue chip rolling across the table into one of the unoccupied beverage holders. I agree on the racetrack design! I dislike them as well but most people tend to like the look. I went with a little of both and minimized it as much as possible to give more playing surface but leave enough room for chips to be left "behind the line". These are home games so the rules about the line betting are slightly more relaxed.

Side note: this table (aside from the genuine cow leather) was made 100% from scraps from other tables. This is mainly used as a decorative piece in the living room when it isnt doubling as a overflow table on those rare occasions.

I like the comments and advice though. I'll be updating this small table with a few of the suggestions here.

 

[orsonberger]

Great job, welcome Sir!

 

[Steamtrain]

Welcome!
Sweet heads up table.
Scotch in one and bourbon in the other cup holder!

 

[kmccormick100]

I think we suffered from the optical illusion, the railing looks to be like 12” wide, but the table is actually what like 24” x 48”? Cool little table! The build quality and craftsmanship look fantastic.

You’ll find that most people here don’t like racetracks, mostly because we’re chip people and value playability and chip handling over aesthetics, but it looks great!