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Different types of poker table
A poker table is a table specially designed for playing cards- usually poker. It is covered with a soft material or a smooth fabric that allows cards to glide smoothly. It is either an actual table or a portable top that can be fixed and removed as need be. Usually the edge of the table is raised to allow players to keep their hand on it. This is called the rail. A poker table can be made of different materials like wood, plastic, metal etc. Various types of clothing and fabric are used as the covering cloth or felt. Usually the fabric used for table tops are casino print cloth, velveteen, speed cloth or billiards cloth.
The tables come in different shapes as well. Some passionate poker players believe in creating their own tables while some others get customized or ready-made tables from the makers. Poker tables used for tournaments are bigger and sturdier. They sometimes come with foldable and detachable legs. Usually very good quality material is used for the construction of poker tables for casinos since they have to endure the 24×7 environment there.
Casinos generally have accessories like card shuffling machines along with the poker tables. This machine is very useful at casinos since it can get several thousands more hands per month, and this amounts to greater profits and revenue for them, making them very popular at casinos. Drop boxes and clip sets are also commonly found accessories with poker tables at casinos. The felt used for these tables are also of a very high quality at casinos, they are usually high quality nylon, and recently good quality polyester has started being used. The felt is chosen to ensure smooth gliding of cards at the correct speed that is neither too fast nor too slow.
Poker table layouts are also of primary importance when they are to be used at casinos. They need to be printed in the right colors to allow a clear view of chips while playing. Logo graphics need to be chosen carefully so that casino cameras can detect the difference between a printed logo and a chip. In case they are similar in print and color, a lot of confusion may occur.
Company logo, family name initials, photos and other things can be used as logo and can be installed on the layout as a part of the customization process. For all those trying to do it within a budget can follow a simple method of customization. Changing the felt of the poker table and giving it a different color can change the look completely and make it seem new. This would give a long enduring last to the poker table top as well.
Positions at Poker Tables
Position of players at poker tables is extremely important and strategic. The poker table position of a player may be the make or break factor in a game. The position of a player is where he sits vis a vis other players. Usually the point of reference is the dealer and what is significant is whether the person in question would have an early or late action in one round of betting.
Since the dealer is the point of reference, he usually moves from position to position so that everyone gets a fair share of being in each position. Being the last to act is considered the best.
There are nine players in a full table. The different categories of positions are a) The early positions b) The middle positions c) The Late positions.
Early positions are the three positions to the left of the dealer. These are the worst positions because these position holders have to be the first to bet without having any idea about the other players strengths. Amongst the early positions the person exactly to the left of the dealer is the small blind. The person to his let is the big blind. The small blind has to put in any minimal amount before dealing of cards happen. The big blind has to put in an amount bigger than that of the small blind usually double.
Middle positions are better than early positions because they get to know about the early position holder; however they still have no information on the late hands. The remaining are the late positions consisting of the dealer and the other two players to his right. These are the best positions as they have the most information on all other players.
Poker being a game of chance and luck as also a game of information, complete or incomplete-the more information one has the better are his chances of making an informed decision and thus better are the chances of win. Fortunately it is easy to learn the advantages and disadvantages of each position and thus the strategies that has to be adopted.
In the early positions one has to play the best hands because being the earliest to act every precaution needs to be taken. The middle position holders too need to be cautious but they are definitely at an advantage. The best of course are the late position holders and they can afford to be least cautious.