Race Track Poker Tables? (1 Viewer)

[Polochris]

Just seeing what your guys opinion is, and if I am just crazy, or not.

So I don't like playing on race track poker tables, of course it gets the job done, but its not what I prefer. These are my reasonings.

1- I don't like picking cards up on a hard surface. Even if you have some nail to use, its still hard! Pain in the ass IMO. I also don't like using the felt area to look at my cards. When all 10 people are playing, the cards are to far away from me, and the play next to me could easily see what I have.

2- Now this is pretty picky, but I love to shuffle my chips. Shuffling chips on wood/laminate just isn't the same as compared to a felt surface.

Are you guys the same?

 

[Kyle]

Nope

 

[TheBigTater]

I think you will get opinions on both sides. Racetracks can look pretty but aren't functional IMO.

+1 no racetrack

 

[upNdown]

If there are any advantages to a wood racetrack, i don’t know what they are.

 

[Gunnar]

I only like wood racetrack when they have cupholders that I can use to store my chips

 

[Polochris]

If there are any advantages to a wood racetrack, i don’t know what they are.

Welllllll I could think of one. Stacking on the wood is better. HUGE stacks!

 

[Poker Zombie]

Most of us are going to be in the No Racetrack camp. It's practically an annual topic, and it's always the same. Racetracks look great, but functionally, it's like playing on the dining room table.

If your table spends most of it's time idle, filling a room, the racetrack's looks might be fine. It's primarily function is as a piece of art. If you play on the table, skip the track.

Welllllll I could think of one. Stacking on the wood is better. HUGE stacks!

Until they topple and you crack a chip on a hard surface.

 

[upNdown]

Welllllll I could think of one. Stacking on the wood is better. HUGE stacks!

I’ve never had a problem stacking decent chips on any decent playing surface. But I never stack more than 20 high either. If I’m running real good, stacks of 20 can go on top of stacks of 20.

 

[Polochris]

Most of us are going to be in the No Racetrack camp. It's practically an annual topic, and it's always the same. Racetracks look great, but functionally, it's like playing on the dining room table.

If your table spends most of it's time idle, filling a room, the racetrack's looks might be fine. It's primarily function is as a piece of art. If you play on the table, skip the track.



Until they topple and you crack a chip on a hard surface.

Lol true, Very very true.

 

[Trihonda]

I hate racetracks. For all the reasons stated already, and more not yet stated.

I’ve seen felt/ssc tables with monster high stacks. I believe stability has more to do with the chips, than the play surface (but certainly, playing on a super spongey surface might be slightly annoying.

 

[ChipTalker]

No racetrack for me. It just does't play as well.

 

[davin]

Just seeing what your guys opinion is, and if I am just crazy, or not.

So I don't like playing on race track poker tables, of course it gets the job done, but its not what I prefer. These are my reasonings.

1- I don't like picking cards up on a hard surface. Even if you have some nail to use, its still hard! Pain in the ass IMO. I also don't like using the felt area to look at my cards. When all 10 people are playing, the cards are to far away from me, and the play next to me could easily see what I have.

2- Now this is pretty picky, but I love to shuffle my chips. Shuffling chips on wood/laminate just isn't the same as compared to a felt surface.

Are you guys the same?

I'm the exact same

 

[justsomedude]

I have racetrack tables, and they work OK, but I understand the complaints against them.

I think the anti-racetrack camp makes a good argument, and 9 times out of 10 going with no racetrack is probably the superior choice.

My only complaint with no-racetrack tables is the foam can wear at player positions, creating wobbly chipstacks. It’s not a deal breaker, but is frustrating when you’re at that seat that has a worn out or uneven surface. Perhaps it’s just a motivator for the owner to resurface their table.

 

[honkydevil]

No track, I don't like the cards getting hung up on it and all the mentioned chip stacking/shuffling reasons

 

[bsdunbar1]

I have owned several race track tables and have nothing against them if they are done right. You don't have to pick up cards off of wood, the cards don't leave the playing surface and the edge between the wood and the felt gives you an easy way to look at your cards. Same with the chips, chips play on the playing surface and i have never had issues with them filling up cup holders.
With all that being said though, I now have tables with no race track and I would never go back. There is just no functional need for it.

 

[Nuhockey]

There has to be a reason I've never seen a Race Track Table at any Casino ever in Vegas, AC, PA, or overseas. The casinos must have a reason for not using them. I personally don't like them for the original reasons posted.

 

[ekricket]

I've tried racing my cats on tables with racetracks and without. They scramble too much and make sloppy turns on the racetrack ones. Their claws just grab better on the felt only ones, makes for a much cleaner and enjoyable race.

 

[Marius L]

Agree with most people here. Racetrack tables look super classy and nice, but playing experience is worse.

 

[WedgeRock]

The casinos must have a reason for not using them.

There is no drawback not using a table without a racetrack, and non-racetracks are cheaper...

 

[NayNay]

agree 100% - prefer full felt.

 

[Trihonda]

I have owned several race track tables and have nothing against them if they are done right. You don't have to pick up cards off of wood, the cards don't leave the playing surface and the edge between the wood and the felt gives you an easy way to look at your cards. Same with the chips, chips play on the playing surface and i have never had issues with them filling up cup holders.
With all that being said though, I now have tables with no race track and I would never go back. There is just no functional need for it.

The edge/transition between the felt and Wood is a natural catch for cards and chips to snag on when moving back and forth. Not an issue if you keep the chips and cards on the felt.. and we’ve already agreed tha chips and cards ON the wood is not beneficial. The nice aspect of the felt is that it allows your thumb to get under the cards. So, essentially, there’s no reason for the racetrack. And having a racetrack barrier that you can’t use, just makes the playable surface smaller... so why have it.

 

[softchewy]

I've tried racing my cats on tables with racetracks and without. They scramble too much and make sloppy turns on the racetrack ones. Their claws just grab better on the felt only ones, makes for a much cleaner and enjoyable race.

Yes, but the comedy factor goes down exponentially when they can no longer do the cartoon run in place maneuver.

 

[Wils]

Racetracks look great, but functionally, it's like playing on the dining room table.

The zombie speaks many words of wisdom.

 

[StackemHigh]

a high-end table would include train set on the track to collect the antes from the laggards.... Antes!!

 

[ruskba]

Having played on both @Kyle’s and @justsomedude’s racetrack tables, I think the key is the racetrack width. Both of theirs are fairly narrow so your hands naturally fall on the felt, and thus that’s where your cards will most likely be. Chips stack on the racetrack and it’s best if both worlds.

Shameless stack pic (greens not in play):

So unless you’re one of the types that keeps their cards next to your stack (in which case part of the table probably can’t ever see if you have cards or not, ya jerk), a reasonable sized racetrack shouldn’t be too much of an annoyance. Assuming the playing surface and racetrack are properly aligned, of course.

 

[Trihonda]

Having played on both @Kyle’s and @justsomedude’s racetrack tables, I think the key is the racetrack width. Both of theirs are fairly narrow so your hands naturally fall on the felt, and thus that’s where your cards will most likely be. Chips stack on the racetrack and it’s best if both worlds.

Shameless stack pic (greens not in play):
View attachment 133984

So unless you’re one of the types that keeps their cards next to your stack (in which case part of the table probably can’t ever see if you have cards or not, ya jerk), a reasonable sized racetrack shouldn’t be too much of an annoyance. Assuming the playing surface and racetrack are properly aligned, of course.

Except with sliding stacks of chips into the middle... or back to your stack...

 

[ruskba]

Except with sliding stacks of chips into the middle... or back to your stack...

That’s why the last line is in there. If the racetrack is not too wide AND level with the playing surface, it’s no problem.

 

[upNdown]

Having played on both @Kyle’s and @justsomedude’s racetrack tables, I think the key is the racetrack width. Both of theirs are fairly narrow so your hands naturally fall on the felt, and thus that’s where your cards will most likely be. Chips stack on the racetrack and it’s best if both worlds.

Shameless stack pic (greens not in play):
View attachment 133984

So unless you’re one of the types that keeps their cards next to your stack (in which case part of the table probably can’t ever see if you have cards or not, ya jerk), a reasonable sized racetrack shouldn’t be too much of an annoyance. Assuming the playing surface and racetrack are properly aligned, of course.

I wonder what those bud jones high denom chips are doing in that cash game.

 

[AK Chip]

There is no drawback not using a table without a racetrack, and non-racetracks are cheaper...

Much easier to build and upholster without the tracks as well.

 

[ruskba]

I wonder what those bud jones high denom chips are doing in that cash game.

Card capper on top. Retrieving the stack of greens from @justsomedude, he was using them to see if he wanted to get 43mm boxes as part of the group buy. I think it’s safe to say he’s glad he didn’t.