Poker Table, Table Top or Poker Mat: Which Should You Buy?

Hosting a proper poker night does not have to mean buying furniture. A full poker table, a folding table top and a poker mat all give you a defined playing area with a nice surface for cards and chips. They just solve the problem in very different ways. This guide compares the three so you can decide which suits your space, your storage and your budget.

If you are searching for a poker table top in the UK, or wondering about poker table vs table top, the short version is this: the right choice depends far more on where you will store it than on how often you will play.

The three options compared

Here is how the options generally stack up. These are broad comparisons rather than product specifications.

	Full poker table	Folding table top	Poker mat
Space needed	The most. Needs a permanent spot in a dedicated room	Moderate. Sits on top of a dining table or sets up and folds away	The least. Lies on any suitable table
Storage	Bulky. Usually stays where it is	Stores flat or folded, often behind a door or under a bed	Rolls or folds into a bag and fits in a cupboard
Budget	Highest outlay	Mid-range	Lowest outlay
Seating	Built-in positions for a full table	Typically a full table of players when placed on a suitable surface	Depends on the mat layout. Ours seats eight
Feel	Closest to a casino table, with a rail and cup holders on many designs	A firm, stable surface that feels like a proper table	Soft and portable, but only as flat as the table beneath it
Best for	A games room or regular, ongoing games	Regular hosts with limited space	Occasional hosts and anyone who plays at different venues

A few notes on reading the table:

Space is about the room around the table as well as the table itself. Players need room to push back their chairs and reach the pot.
Storage is the factor people underestimate. A table you cannot store is a table you will resent after the first month.
Budget is not just the purchase. Remember to include chips, cards and a dealer button, which you need whichever option you choose.
Seating matters more than you might think. Eight players is a comfortable maximum for most home games, and nine or ten feels crowded without a large surface.

Who each suits

A full poker table suits you if... you have a spare room or a garage conversion, and you plan to play regularly with a settled group. It becomes part of the room, and the rail and padded edges make a long session far more comfortable.

A folding table top suits you if... you want a proper rigid playing surface but your home doubles as your living space. It gives you a firm, stable base that stores flat, and it turns an ordinary dining table into a poker table in a minute or two.

A poker mat suits you if... you host now and then, you move between houses, or you want to try a poker night before investing in anything bigger. It is the most affordable way to get a proper layout with betting lines, and it takes up almost no storage.

If you are undecided, start with a mat. It is the lowest-risk option, and if your home game becomes a regular fixture you can always add a table top or table later. The mat will still be useful for taking the game on the road.

What to look for in a poker mat

A mat is only as good as the table it sits on, so choose it with that in mind.

Betting lines. Printed lines for each seat mark where players place their bets and their chips, which keeps the table tidy and makes the action easier to follow. Look for clear, evenly printed lines that remain legible over time. Our 8 Seat Poker Table Top Mat with Betting Lines in red has printed lines for its eight seats.

Grip. A mat that slides around is a nuisance, especially when players lean on it. Check that the underside is designed to stay put on a table. Our red mat has a foam backing to stop it slipping on the table.

A carry bag. If portability is part of the appeal, a carry bag makes a big difference. It keeps the mat clean, protects it from creases and makes it easy to take to a friend's house. Our red mat ships with a carry bag.

Size. Make sure the mat suits the table you have. Measure your table, and allow space for players' elbows and drinks beyond the mat edge. Our red mat measures 90cm x 180cm.

A flat table beneath it. A mat will not hide a wobbly or uneven table. A solid dining table works best, and a thin tablecloth underneath can help protect polished wood.

What to look for in a folding table top

Folding table tops are designed to sit on top of an existing table or stand on their own, depending on the design. As there are different styles, keep these points in mind when you shop.

Stability. Give it a firm press in the middle and at the edges. A good table top should feel solid, not springy.
Hinges and locks. Folding designs rely on hinges, so check they feel robust and that locks hold the surface in place when it is open.
Surface. A soft, smooth playing surface lets cards slide cleanly and chips settle without sliding about. Check how easy it is to wipe clean.
Size when open. Make sure it fits the table you plan to put it on, and that players can sit comfortably around it.
Size when folded. Measure the space where you plan to store it, including doorways and stairs you will carry it through.
Seating. Check how many players it is designed for. Eight is the usual comfortable limit.

Our Poker Tables and Folding Poker Tables collection currently features the red mat, with more to follow.

Building or recovering your own table

If you are handy with tools, a home-built or recovered table is a satisfying project, and it can be a good use of a sturdy table you already own. The key ingredient is the playing surface.

Speed cloth. This is the fabric used on professional poker tables. It lets cards glide and gives chips a smooth surface to rest on. Our Suited Speed Cloth is sold by the metre, cut to order, in a 60" (150cm) width, so measure carefully before ordering, because cut-to-order cloth is excluded from change-of-mind returns. Our speed cloth buying guide explains how to measure and what to choose.
Padding. Foam or batting beneath the cloth makes the surface more comfortable and quieter.
A rail. Padded edges give players somewhere to rest their arms during long sessions.
A firm base. Whatever you build, the base needs to be flat and strong enough for several people leaning on it.

Recovering an old table with fresh cloth costs far less than starting again.

Care and storage

Whichever option you choose, a little care keeps it looking its best.

Keep drinks off the playing surface. Spills are the biggest enemy of cloth and printed mats. Use a side table or drinks holders.
Clean gently. Brush away crumbs and dust with a soft brush, and treat marks quickly with a lightly damp cloth, testing a hidden corner first.
Store flat or loosely rolled. Sharp creases can show up on a mat or cloth. Roll it loosely or lay it flat where possible, and use the carry bag if one is supplied.
Keep it dry. Store in a dry spot away from damp walls and direct sunlight, which can fade colours.

For a full walkthrough of running the evening itself, see our guide to how to host a poker night. Questions about a specific product are often answered in our FAQ.