Table shape (2 Viewers)

Table Shape


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JeepologyOffroad

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It seems like just about everyone plays on a standard oval. Surprisingly I’ve never actually played on a round table, but it seems like it would be the most ideal for a self dealt home game. Considering going with a couple of round tables. Can anyone convince me otherwise? Or does everyone else somehow have a dedicated dealer at their games?
 
I’ve built both, and my best advice is don’t make it as big as your space allows, but rather as small as your game will allow. My oval is like 44x80 and it’s a great size for self dealt 8 handed and can squeeze 9. Don’t go 4’x8’ just cause that’s what most online plans say to do. My round is 56” after the rail overhang and I don’t think I’d go any bigger than that. Again it’s good for like 8 in a squeeze, but who wants to really play 9-10 handed anyway.
 
Yep I prefer 8 max myself and prefer to keep it that way regardless of the amount of players if possible. Space isn't an issue
 
Round is great. 8 is the maximum number of players at a round though. I think the key is to have an oval that has a width of 48", and however long you need for your game. I have made and played on ovals that are narrower, and that is a problem. I play on an oval that I think is 39" wide, and it's just too narrow. Too hard for players not in the middle of the table to deal.
 
Octagon seems perfect to me.
Everyone has specified and equal space.
4 players perfect
6 players leaves 2 spaces for snacks, whatever
8 players perfect

Everyone has same distance for viewing, reaching, etc.
 
Octagon seems perfect to me.
Everyone has specified and equal space.
4 players perfect
6 players leaves 2 spaces for snacks, whatever
8 players perfect

Everyone has same distance for viewing, reaching, etc.
I prefer oval, but I recently built an octagon for a group of disabled vets for the reasons you mention. Also, it’s easier for all of them to reach the center of the table to deal cards and rake chips.
 
Those voting oval - why?
1. It fits my space better.
2. I like being able to accommodate 10 player - even 11 players in a pinch. (I do prefer 8 handed, but it’s good for the game to never turn anyone away). Once you reach 12 it’s easy to break out another table. You can say the same for 9.
3. I occasionally host a heads up tournament. An oval table can easily accommodate 3x2 heads up.
4. Just habit I guess. I have enjoyed the few times I played on an octagon.
 
There is really no practical difference between an octagon and a round, except with the round everybody can easily adjust so there's equal space between themselves. So go round.

Octagon means STOP!

I prefer an oval, myself. It's really a capsule shape, rather than an ellipse.
 
I’m not really considering octagon but thought I’d throw it in there. Why the preference for oval?
 
I’m not really considering octagon but thought I’d throw it in there. Why the preference for oval?

Doesn't apply to my situation, but I think ovals are better for storage. I also think they tend to make use of room space better if it's in a smaller room. Rounds can feel like they take up a lot of space so that you have less space to walk around or squeeze beside furnishings.
 
Gotcha. Makes sense. So if you were playing in a large warehouse type area then you’d choose round as well?
 
Gotcha. Makes sense. So if you were playing in a large warehouse type area then you’d choose round as well?

Yes, I may, especially if we're keeping the sweet spot as 8 players on a maximum 54" diameter table. If you're always doing 10 then I think oval works better.

Does anybody know if traditional European casino card tables are tremendously big? If I remember correctly the tables where Connery plays Chemin de Fer in Dr. No and Craig plays Holdem were huge, easily 10 feet across. I'm guessing this may be why there are dedicated croupiers with long baccarat paddles to "serve" cards to players around the table.
 
There is really no practical difference between an octagon and a round, except with the round everybody can easily adjust so there's equal space between themselves. So go round.

Octagon means STOP!

I prefer an oval, myself. It's really a capsule shape, rather than an ellipse.
LOL
I can come up wit a custom felt for that one. It'd be really obnoxious.

All very good points for the round table, but an octagon will get players closer to the action than a round of the same diameter. This was one of the design considerations when I was designing a table for a group of disabled Vets last year. We wanted to make sure they could reach the middle but the sides had to be wide enough to fit a wheel chair. We actually went over and took measurements like a tailor would for a suit. :)

And yes, "oval" tables are not really oval.
 
Oval tables are great for flop and draw games with a dedicated dealer. IMO, draw and stud games, as well as self-dealt flop games, play much better at round or octagon tables. Although my personal preference is round, I have a small oval (44x66) because of space constraints.
 
Those voting oval - why?
Such a pertinent question man.

I really drew a blank. Why did I go oval, twice. Haha

I just started a new home game. Got an oval table from TChan only because that's what he had for sale. I think it's a 44"x84". It can seat 9 comfortably even though it's an 8 man table by design I think.

No dedicated dealer for my games, so no cut out or "kidney" design.

I've got a second table on order. It's definitely taken form as I was given a chance to see it's progress first hand at TChan's PLO game. I am just trying not to think about it. I was astounded by what I saw.

I still can't tell you why I went oval a second time. Agree with @allforcharity

Just like the capsule shaped ovals.
 
I'm thinking about building one soon. Did some ovals in college that turned out great, but would like something easier to deal on all around. Prefer the look of round tbh, though I see the benefits of them all.
 
I used to go to a home game, at an estate in Newport. They had a beautiful round table, and it was large enough for 9 players. And I agree with the general consensus that round tables are best for games without a dedicated dealer. They are the most equitable - everyone's position at the table is the same as everyone else's. But the problem with a round table that's large enough to seat 9 players is that the diameter is so large, chips and cards in the middle of the table can be difficult to reach. I'm 6'-1", and I was constantly half-standing to retrieve chips that were lost in the middle, out of reach of other players.

That's what I like about oval tables. Even with a 48" wide oval, things in the middle are never out of reach. Yes, players at the ends rely on the cooperation of players in the middle to drag their pots, but that's true with most home games. And everything is within comfortable reach.

I've never cared for octagons. I'm a little tall, and my knees are always banging against someone or something. I hate that!
 

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