Budget Options — Toppers
Playing on the kitchen table should be a last resort. It can be tough to pick up or look at your cards without a little give under them. Hard surfaces can also be hard on your chips. Not damaging your table with scratches and spilled drinks might also be a benefit!
Treat yourself and your players to at least a rollup table topper. They can be as basic as a thin layer of foam, or a little more durable — neoprene, like a mouse pad.
Mid-Range — Folding Table Tops
The next step up is the folding table top. These tops store more easily than a fixed, rigid top, but the crease where the table folds can sometimes catch cards when dealing. Also, pass on drink holders if you can find a top without them. They are too shallow to be of much use, and players will spill a drink on your table. Use a food tray off to each player's side for drinks.
Recommendation: Skip folding table tops. A quality rollup neoprene topper plays better, stores more easily, and lasts longer for the same price or less.
Premium — Dedicated / Custom Tables
When you're ready to splurge and do it right, you'll want a dedicated table — permanently set up in your home, not folding, not moving. If you play regularly and have the space, nothing beats it.
- Custom tables can be ordered to any specification: size, felt color, rail design, wood finish, lighted cup holders, USB charging ports, even built-in shuffle machines.
- Many custom table builders accept commissions for one-of-a-kind tables designed around your room and aesthetic.
- Price range: $500 on the low end for a simple DIY build, up to $5,000+ for high-end custom work.
- DIY builds are popular in the poker community — lumber, foam, speed cloth, and basic woodworking skills are all you need for a solid result.
