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Upgrading Our Home Game (1 Viewer)

greytrain

greytrain

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Hello everyone,

I'm looking at stepping up my home game setup and was curious what others thought would get me the best bang for my buck in terms of which upgrades to consider first. Of course I'm looking at getting new chips but also looking at table options, new chairs, plastic cards, etc. We're currently using dice chips with a simple Ikea counter height dining table which really only comfortably sits 4. Perhaps a bigger dining table and a poker mat should be the priority?

So how did you guys upgrade first in your home games? What impacted the enjoyment of your home game the most?

Appreciate the insight.
 
Chairs are way up on the priority list. So are good chips that provide security and denominations, but I feel a table makes a huge difference. Look into this table, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Barrington-10-Player-Poker-Table-No-Assembly-Required/55465427.

Amazing bang for buck. Can be found for 99 sometimes on sale. There is an entire thread somewhere here about re felting them with speed cloth. I used misprinted speed cloth on Amazon for super cheap and love the table.

20181013_143559.jpg
 
You should upgrade the table first probably. In all seriousness, bias aside, playing on a wooden table is the worst. Even if it's a cheap table from Costco, any table with the slightest bit of padding and felt adds so so much to the experience and enjoyment to the night.
 
I know exactly what you are going through. What I loved so much about hosting my first poker game was actually having my buddies over to play. My first game, lets just say dice chips would have been an improvement. Now things are way different for me.

With that said, I understand that everyone has a budget and everyone has limitations with what they can do, but man a wooden table?!? If you have to go cheap, one of those rubber mats on Amazon would be an improvement. You definitely have to do something about the table.
 
I'm definitely with Tchan on getting a nice table. The Barrington table link above or even a nice table from ChanMan depending on your budget would be an excellent start. From there I would do chips and then chairs as long as you have feasible seating for the time being. Gotta keep the ass comfy for those 5 hour sessions lol.

For me I started off with getting an ESPN Barringtom poker table for around $160 new. I had a surplus of office style chairs and if we got a full table I had to bring out foldable chairs. First chip set were some monte carlo slugged chips. I'd say the table brought the most enjoyment. I never had to play on a non poker table and I'm spoiled now and can't go back. Having a legit arm rest and felt to slide cards on really gives that casino feel, but in a social setting.
 
Thanks for the responses! It seems like many think a table is the way to go. I started doing a bit of research and it feels like I've fallen into another rabbit hole.
I was thinking i could somehow repurpose one of these portable round 60" Lifetime tables link with a foldable topper. Or maybe take a stab at making a round 54" topper. I do like the look of the Barrington though. Might wait and see if a sale comes around.
 
Cards >> table > chairs > chips

Good cards will by far be the best bang for your buck. Table is next, check out craiglist for deals (or build your own!). The $100-$150 will upgrade the game substantially. Then start saving for nice chips :)
 
greytrain said:
Thanks for the responses! It seems like many think a table is the way to go. I started doing a bit of research and it feels like I've fallen into another rabbit hole.
I was thinking i could somehow repurpose one of these portable round 60" Lifetime tables link with a foldable topper. Or maybe take a stab at making a round 54" topper. I do like the look of the Barrington though. Might wait and see if a sale comes around.
Click to expand...

Get a basic table from T_Chan. If that requires delaying it to save up some money its worth it.
 
Bang for the buck, you say? I'm poor and cheap, I can figure this out.

1) Plastic cards. Small investment that helps a lot. My favorite of the sub $15 setups is the bridge size Cartamundi cards. If any of your players have questionable vision, though, you may want to go with bigger indices (ie indices on ACE plastic cards from Cartamundi are a little bigger, bridge jumbo Bicycle Prestige on Amazon are another popular choice). Dealer button ($6 for 5) and cut cards ($5 for ten) are nice, but you may already have something to serve there.
2) Table upgrade. First, decide if you're willing to buy a table soon. Budget options include trolling Craigslist/fb marketplace/letgo or the Barrington from above (my choice). Of course, you could go big and go straight to Chanman and save yourself some money on intermediate steps, but even if you do eventually head to the top, whatever you've assembled in the interim might serve as a workable second table. If you're not willing to spring for a table quite yet, at least cover whatever you're playing on now. Can go to a fabric store and get a couple of yards for just a few bucks. Check online for a coupon. Anything somewhat heavy but that cards won't catch on will work. Acrylic felt is horrible (just 'cause it's called felt doesn't make it correct), canvas is an ok option. Try to secure it under the table by tying or with bungee cords. Can put a flat blanket underneath the fabric for a little padding.
3) Chips. I deviate from the consensus choice of chairs here, so keep in mind that I could be the outlier. Budget options include china clay (like ABC's 8v, already an insane value at .10 each are apparently going to be sold in a live instagram sale for .05 on Tues for the three remaining colors, or Apache's Majestic and Royals). Keep an eye out on this site and you may eventually come up with some relatively cheap Paulsons. Keep in mind, though, that if anything gets near the $1 per chip mark, you can get new compression clays from Apache (Elite or Monaco) for that. Detailed advice here depends on game type, number of players, etc. Lot of this is a matter of taste, so you should consider samples before investing too much in anything unknown.
 
Will echo the thoughts of others here. Quality cards are a cheap/fast way to instantly enhance the experience. I’ve actually gotten comments on the Desjgn and Copag cards I use from my buddies who are used to the paper Bicycles. “Wow, these shuffle great. They feel nice and slick, they don’t stick at all,” etc...

Beyond that, any type of table upgrade, no matter how minor, is a must. My first step before buying a Chanman Basic Table was to take a sheet of plywood, cover it with foam, and then staple cloth fabric on top. It took half a day and cost about $50 in material. It wasn’t great at all, but I got comments from my guys just because they were happy to have a padded surface to rest their arms/elbows. Even a cheap padded topper is an improvement over wood.

After that, I’d focus on comfortable chairs, even if they’re just padded folders. And while chips may be at the top of your list (like many others here), chances are they’ll be the last thing your players notice.
 
I first bought a table. TChan is the only way.
SPECIAL EDIT : I apologize for this sentiment and opinion. I am biased because I'm local and I already own a TChan table...no offense intended by me to other vendors and builders.

I then needed chairs, so I went to Craigslist and found "Parsons" style dining chairs with leathered surfaces are a hit. I recently hosted my first game and the chairs got most of the comments. Then the table.

Reality is, unless the whole room is full of Chippers, the chips won't matter.

I'm pretty sure in my game, it would have made no difference to have the CPCs or dice chips. I'm into chipping, so my crew gets treated well by default.

The next thing...and this was Also a hit...is a mini fridge. Found one on Craiglist for $40. Because it had a hardly noticeable dent.

The fridge was loved by all.




IMG_20190815_120735.jpg

IMG_20190804_172851.jpg
 
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Table and chairs mate 100%

The table is what gives your game its “look” and comfortable chairs keep them coming back.

Decent cards that can last a few games are relatively cheap.

Chips don’t bother my group (they’d play with matches) so they’re a luxury you can save up for.
 
Also, a good usable breakdown of chips, and posted and followed rules will improve your game more than really nice chips.
 
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Agree with the others - even though we're a chip site, chips are last. Chips are the truffles you place on the rest of the dinner. The other stuff has to be good first.
 
people will not enjoy awesome chips if the table isn't good and the chairs not comfortable..
And add plastic cards, I prefer Jumbo index and I avoid weird 4 and 6 index or 4 colors designs , but that's a matter of preferences and needs.
 
bigdonkey said:
Not sure how well that would work out rolling a hot dog sandwich. We always roll the hot dogs, then make the sandwiches after.
Click to expand...
Baller!! - you provide hot dogs and sandwiches at your games??
 

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