Poker table or poker mat? (5 Viewers)

[scarrface139]

Just wanted your guys opinion on is it worth spending $300+ on a foldable poker table or is $100 poker mat for my dining room table they sits 8 enough? Want to have a nice feel at my home games just don’t know where I’d put another table

 

[valleychips]

I've played at both. While a full poker table is of course nicer, a good poker mat with a clear betting ring is actually very solid. If the dining table is big enough and the chairs are comfy, and you have good chips and cards, as a player I'd have no complaints. I think you can find a good mat for under $100. I understand your concern about space and guests should too (though there are foldable poker tables if that changes anything for you). Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[toothpic]

I've played at both. While a full poker table is of course nicer, a good poker mat with a clear betting ring is actually very solid. If the dining table is big enough and the chairs are comfy, and you have good chips and cards, as a player I'd have no complaints. I think you can find a good mat for under $100. I understand your concern about space and guests should too (though there are foldable poker tables if that changes anything for you). Hope that helps and good luck!

I 100% agree with this comment. While a well built and dedicated poker table is better, a nice dining table and chairs with a poker mat works just as nicely if you don't have space for an additional table.

 

[Kam]

If you don’t have space, go for the table topper.

Check out custom options here:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/made-to-order-custom-table-toppers.96993/

 

[trailnamechef]

The Barrington folding table feels premium for the price, but is so heavy. If you don’t have the space for storage; a custom topper for your dining table is going to feel great and will take up almost no space storing.

 

[GGHank]

I had a Barrington table that folded up, but even when folded it's pretty bulky and hard to find a decent spot to store it. I ended up getting rid of it and just modding my octagon table with a fabric topper. I re-did my basement since then and planning to build a custom table in the future, but since we play more board games than poker it'll probably be a more generic table with custom toppers from rjdev that I can switch out depending on what we're playing.

Playing on a table specifically for poker is great, but like you said having the space for a dedicated table isn't always possible and the toppers are nice enough.

 

[Prenders17]

I think the right answer is it depends. I think a decent table > a mat > a really cheap table. I'm that age where back in the day I had one of those cheap $100 tables they used to sell at Dick's sporting goods. No padding, felt that had the texture of 100 grit sand paper and they'd collapse if you leaned on them too hard. I'd take a mat over those any day. If you have room to store a Barrington, that's the minimum upgrade that's worth it.

 

[BPTDirector]

A mat is 100% fine if your dining table can sit 8 comfortably just like everyone says. But if you have room for a Barrington and your dining table is too small I’d find a way to make it work. If you have space of course and your room mate will tolerate it.

 

[Randolph]

I’d start off with a mat, which you most likely will have to have anyway (playing somewhere else, opening a second table etc.). And then try to figure out how many guys regularly come to you for playing. I have a round 6-8 seater which is a lovely table, but most of the time we’re 10-12 people and we use the 10 seater table for 600 bucks and open the second table and balance it.

Start small and grow with your needs

Best,
Dave

 

[bigblind]

You need both, you’ll have flexibility if you want to move around indoors

 

[rum3002576]

mats are good to have and then eventually get a table

 

[Nightowl]

Buy a 200 dollar table off amazon to start. Mats are nice and i own a few, but at the end of the day, you're playing on your kitchen table.

 

[chipinla]

just don’t know where I’d put another table

Sell all other furniture.

 

[Tonysquander]

A nice dedicated table is best of course. A nice mat can work well, just get some extra foam padding and cut to size for underneath it. There is nothing worse than a mat you can’t pick cards up off of. You can order a custom size mat that will fit your existing table perfectly from RJDev.