Picking the Perfect Poker Table

    It may be fun to gamble on a good hand, but it's not when you're out buying a new poker table. To get a table that will impress - and possibly intimidate - your friends, you need to get the best, and getting the best boils down to knowing what to look for. Luckily, you won't need to depend on lady lucky to give you direction. Finding the perfect poker table is pretty straightforward.


Size Matters

    Buying a poker table is not like buying a Big Mac. Bigger isn't better. So don't get caught up in wanting a poker table that's bigger than your buddy's, because you'll only look like a fool when you have to crawl across the table to get your chips. That is, if you win.
    "If you're going to get a round table, it shouldn't be more than 60 inches in diameter," the owner of Stine Game Tables, Jeff Stine said during my tour of his facility. "If it's over 5 feet, it's hard to reach the center of the pot without having to get up."
    And if you're thinking a 5-foot diameter poker table is small, it's not. It can comfortably seat six to eight people. If you're poker parties are a bit bigger than that, a Texas Hold'em style table, which can comfortably sit 8 to ten people, is best for you.


Comfort is King ... or Aces

    Grumpy poker players are sore losers, and you don't want a bunch of sore losers in your home. So keep the people at your table happy by making them as comfortable as possible.
    For starters, get a really comfortable chair. One that preferably doesn't make them feel like they're sitting on cement.
    Second, take care of their elbows. Steer clear of the tables lacking a padded armrest.
    "Put your arm on solid wood for 3 or 4 hours. Your elbows are going to be sore," Stine said.
    And finally, nothing says comfort like letting them win. Yea, I'm just joking. If you don't win, how are you going to pay for the table?


One Leg is all You Need

    If you're thinking the fold-up variety is your best bet, think again. Apart from the obvious complaint, "They're flimsy," fold-up poker tables have too many legs that again are of the wrong variety. They're no fun to play footsie with, and they just get in the way.
    "If you're on that end where the folding leg is, you can't get up underneath the table," Stine said. "You'll be pushed away from the table because of the legs."
    So opt for a pedestal poker table. That way no one is caught in the bad seat, and while you're at it, never get a square poker table. No one likes sitting at the corner.


Construction Details

    While owning a poker table is nice, there's nothing like bragging about its construction between hands. Before buying a poker table, ask the two essential questions:

• What is the table made of?
• How is the table made?

    If the table is made of wood, ask what type of wood it is and if it was properly sealed. When discussing the top of the table, make sure the fabric won't need to be replaced after a year or two. It should hold up for much longer.
    To get the best quality, skip the middlemen. Always work directly with a reputable manufacturer.


The Extra Bells and Whistles

    There are numerous extras you can add to your poker table.
    Dining table tops convert your precious poker table into a beautiful dining table in the blink of an eye and are perfect for those who don't have an extra game room to devote to poker.
    Cup holders are an essential if you have messy friends who rarely use coasters.
    Chip racks make keeping track of your money much easier.
    Embroidered designs on the table's fabric can bring you good luck - if you choose the right design. If you'd consider yourself fairly unlucky, you might just want to stick with your name or a picture of cards.


Photo Credit: Stine Game Tables