If you are considering purchasing a poker table then there are many things to consider before making your final decision – remember a poker table could be for life and not just for Christmas!

1. Budget

Poker tables can range in price considerably based on mainly the style of table you require and whether you are looking for a temporary or permanent solution to your poker playing need.

2. Style – Temporary or Permanent

Poker tables come in a number of different sizes and shapes. The first thing to consider is whether your poker playing experience is one of a temporary nature or a more permanent fixture. If it’s a temporary solution you are looking for then your options are poker felt, a poker table top or a folding poker table. The poker felt/mat is the lowest price solution and provides the equivalent of a felt mat to lay over a current table. This can be fixed to a table with staples to provide a slightly more permanent solution. The quality of these mats does not stand the test of time and so eventually, given enough use, you are likely to want the next step up.

3. Branded/Non Branded

There are a couple of options to consider in respect of buying a branded poker table. You can choose the color of felt on some styles of poker tables and after that the only branding options are Jack Daniels or Harley Davidson. These branded tables are pieces of furniture and well worth considering for your games room and would certainly create a stir with your friends and playing buddies.

4. Size/Shape

Poker tables comes in various shapes and sizes and much of the choice surrounds the available room you have along with the number of players you are trying to cater for. The smaller tables or table tops can usually seat up to maximum of 8 players and come in 48″ and 52″ diameters and are designed to be set on top of a round table. Alternatively you can purchase an oval poker table top (depends on the type of table you are putting it on) and these can seat up to 10 players. The folding poker tables tend to seat 10 players (or 9 players plus a dealer spot) and the casino style poker tables again will seat the same number of players.

5. Accessories

There are many options to consider as accessories for your poker table. Standard accessories to consider, depending on the style of poker table you select, include the obvious requirements for poker chips and playing cards along with a dealer shoe, card shuffler, chip trays, and dealer button. After that the sky’s the limit in terms of how much you want to add to your poker game experience. You could consider purchasing button packages (tend to include big blind, little blind and reserve buttons for instance), tournament timer, card guards/spinners, in between tables (to hold drinks), and not forgetting the dark shades and a baseball cap to complete your poker personality!

6. Online/Retail

If you buy a poker table on line then unless the e-tailer is based in your state you are not likely to have to pay sales tax which can make quite a big difference on the end price of a poker table. If you buy from a retail store then you are always going to be paying sales tax on top of the final price you are given. That said, and then there is a clear advantage in dealing face to face with someone in a store as you have the advantage of being able to negotiate yourself the best price. This is not as easy on line, however, still possible if you are prepared to pick up the phone and talk to them. The best e-tailers have freephone customer services numbers with real people at the end of the phone! You don’t get anything if you don’t ask! The advantage of dealing with an on line store is that their overheads are lower than a physical retail store and so the cost to you should be less.

7. Shipping

If you are purchasing a poker table of any sort the cost of shipping can either be built into the price that you see and include FREE shipping or the shipping can be shown as a flat rate or volume/weight based charge in addition to the base price of the poker table. Be aware if you are looking on line for a poker table and comparison shopping not all e-tailers show prices in the same way. Be careful to ensure you are comparing like with like and that ultimately you end up with the best deal.

8. Installation

Again, be aware that most poker tables are not delivered to you fully assembled. In the main the requirements are relatively straightforward and require tools that you would find in most households. If you buy from a store and you require them to install your poker table then be sure to ask what the cost of installation is and when it can be completed. If you are buying on line then be sure you have access to someone capable of setting up your pool table.

Hopefully these tips will prove useful to you in your search for the perfect poker table.