Poker table top options for dining room table (1 Viewer)

[mrboodini]

I'm looking into various options to upgrade my poker table setup. For several years I have been playing on an 82" x 40" dining room table with a nondescript table cloth (not felt or speed cloth). Due to limited space, buying a dedicated poker table is not a possibility at the moment.

Current Options:

1. Neoprene base layer (3mm) with black table cloth and Neoprene oval table topper (2-3mm) on top.
   • Option 1: Firstand Professional Sure Sick Rubber Foam Poker Table Top
   • Option 2: Brybelly Sure Stick Rubber Foam Poker Table Top Layout
2. Neoprene base layer (4-6mm) with custom polyester table cloth.
   • Option 3: Brybelly Sublimation Poker Table Felt for Casino Quality Tables
3. Hard table top with wrist padding and drink holders
   • Option 4: Fat Cat Tri-Fold Poker Game Table Top with Cushioned Rail

Pros and Cons:

• Aesthetics:
  • Option 4 is the only one I think may look odd. If I keep my table extended to 82", you will still see the table under the tabletop where the corners are rounded. If I remove my leaf, I can reduce the length to 64" which may make this a non-issue, but then each end of the tabletop will extend 10 inches further than the table length.
  • Option 4 also has a noticeable crease in the surface from where it folds up that I don't like.
• Drink Holders:
  • Option 4 is the only option with drink holders. Most of my players have some type of drink while playing and my kitchen layout does not make drink carts an option. I have never had a spill before, but the idea of drink holders doesn't sound bad.
• Slickness of Surface:
  • I have played on a Neoprene surface similar to Option 1 and 2. I really like how easily the cards slide. I'm not sure how they will compare for the other options.

I would appreciate any feedback on the options above or others that I may not have considered.

 

[Jeevansluck]

I must point out, @T_Chan also builds customized table toppers for poker as well. Table tops with no legs.

Just a thought

 

[mrboodini]

I must point out, @T_Chan also builds customized table toppers for poker as well. Table tops with no legs.

Just a thought

I was not aware of that. That may be an option depending on cost. I have seen several of his tables on the forums and they are all very nice.

 

[Jeevansluck]

I was not aware of that. That may be an option depending on cost. I have seen several of his tables on the forums and they are all very nice.

I believe he had an example or two on his website. May or may not be there at present, but drop him a line and I'm sure he can give you a pretty rough idea.

 

[Majodr]

Maybe you try to get a PCF table topper? They are great

 

[Beakertwang]

Maybe you try to get a PCF table topper? They are great

+1 for the PCF topper. It’s absolutely fantastic!

There are usually a couple extras floating around, just waiting for a WTB ad to show up in the classifieds.

 

[BGinGA]

82" x 40" dining room table

Quickest solution is to throw down a cotton sheet or blanket, followed by a 72x36 or 70x35 table-topper (the PCF versions are great). You'll have 2" to 5" of space around the topper, but no big deal if it's covered with fabric.

Better solution is to buy/build a folding topper, with optional low-rider sectional rail.

 

[mrboodini]

+1 for the PCF topper. It’s absolutely fantastic!

There are usually a couple extras floating around, just waiting for a WTB ad to show up in the classifieds.

I have played with the PCF topper and it was nice. I like the pattern and the orange outline. I was told though that sometimes the dealer button will blend into the pattern, making it hard to find. I also am not sure if I want a third party logo on the table top (nothing against PCF... just trying to keep the design as clean as possible).

 

[Taghkanic]

I made a great topper, perfect fit for my oddly-sized DR table, using:

* Closed-cell foam from a local foam company (trimmed it myself for a perfect fit);

* Spray adhesive;

* Naugahyde remnant from a big box store for underside, to prevent slipping/ sticking;

* Fabric of your choice (I used outdoor textured fabric on which cards move well, also waterproof, easily cleanable).

Spray each side to affix fabric/nonslip pad. I trim the pad to exact size, and the felt to hang about 6” over the table edge.

Total price — less than $50. It’s held up beautifully for 3+ years.

 

[mrboodini]

Quickest solution is to throw down a cotton sheet or blanket, followed by a 72x36 or 70x35 table-topper (the PCF versions are great). You'll have 2" to 5" of space around the topper, but no big deal if it's covered with fabric.

Better solution is to buy/build a folding topper, with optional low-rider sectional rail.

This sounds pretty close to Options 1 and 2. I was just going to add an additional base layer of Neoprene to give the surface a little more give.

As far as making my own topper... I have considered it, but I am not very skilled in that area and am worried I will make something that will end up on that "Fugly Poker Table Thread". My other issue with the foldable ones are that most leave a big ugly crease in the middle of the table.

 

[Taghkanic]

FWIW, the unconventional — but really functional — fabric I used was Richloom Solarium outdoor in solid Rave Black. They have a ton of colors and patterns. You can feel what it’s like in person at Joann Fabric but this site seems to have the most options:

https://www.fabric.com/find?SearchText=Solarium&page=1

I really like being able to wipe down the whole surface before each game. It’s amazing how much comes up. Unlike speedcloth, which can get filthy and greasy over time, this looks and feels the same as the day I bought it. Also used on a second custom table for both the felt and rail, with equally good results.

 

[BGinGA]

This sounds pretty close to Options 1 and 2. I was just going to add an additional base layer of Neoprene to give the surface a little more give.

As far as making my own topper... I have considered it, but I am not very skilled in that area and am worried I will make something that will end up on that "Fugly Poker Table Thread". My other issue with the foldable ones are that most leave a big ugly crease in the middle of the table.

I recommend extra padding if using a thin neoprene topper, but the PCF toppers are 6mm and don't need it.

My homemade toppers are portable and built as a three-piece 1/4" MDF unit (large center section with two folding end sections) using extra base strips and gorilla-tape hinges that allow it to fold inward with no seams or creases -- it's one continuous felt surface when unfolded, covered with 1/4" foam padding and either ssc or gaming cloth. Bonus is you can build it to match your base table dimensions, or to fit (with overhang) a folding 6x3 or even an 8' folding table.

 

[mrboodini]

I recommend extra padding if using a thin neoprene topper, but the PCF toppers are 6mm and don't need it.

My homemade toppers are portable and built as a three-piece 1/4" MDF unit (large center section with two folding end sections) using extra base strips and gorilla-tape hinges that allow it to fold inward with no seams or creases -- it's one continuous felt surface when unfolded, covered with 1/4" foam padding and either ssc or gaming cloth. Bonus is you can build it to match your base table dimensions, or to fit (with overhang) a folding 6x3 or even an 8' folding table.

Do you have any pictures of your table? Preferably ones that show it both folded up and in-play?

 

[BGinGA]

There's a thread with pics on here somewhere. Most of my pr0n pics are taken on one, too.

 

[Taghkanic]

I was revisiting my earlier research into outdoor fabrics which might make good “felts” for toppers (or tables). I need to get a Sunbrella sample book, because they have many more colors and patterns than the Richloom ones I’ve been using.

The Richloom has proved extremely durable, easy to clean, and cards move nicely on it.

But I’ve been looking for other non-solid-color outdoor fabrics which have subtle patterns, preferably but not necessarily a dark pattern on a dark background. Sunbrella seems to have more options, as Richloom’s patterns tend to be really loud florals.

Part of my thinking is that patterns which are too busy make it harder to read the board and to some extent harder to see bets/count splashed pots. Here are a few candidates I found, though again I need to get samples to check the textures:

The last one is a bit too colorful, and I think would result in dirty table/chip situations, but it is nice. Ditto the red one —I wouldn’t want to use that with many Paulson/CPC red chips.