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 made from neoprene like a mouse pad.
Mid-Range — Folding Table Tops
The next step up is the folding table top. They store more easily than a fixed, rigid top but the crease where the table folds can sometimes catch cards when dealing. Also pass on the drink holders if you can find one 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 the side of the player 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.
