The Game Table

[AntiStateQuixote]

Something entirely different, which I will describe below:

A pair of 3' x 6' folding tables (like you had at church) set side by side to provide a 6' x 6' gaming space on which we pile tons of WotC plastic DnD miniatures and Dwarven Forge modular dungeon crap. We try to leave a 1' area on each of two sides for players' gear (sheets, dice, pencils, etc.) creating a 4' x 6' "dungeon" surface.

The DM uses a side card table for his gear as needed.

 

[griff_goodbeard]

The guy who hosts out group has a furnished basement devoted to gaming and he built a 'gaming table'. Basically a 3'x6' piece of plywood covered in felt for the top with 2'x4's and 2'x6's for legs, but put together well so it's real sturdy. he then laid a battlemat in the middle of the table and covered it with plexiglass so we can use dry-erase markers to ma dungeons. He also built in a shelf under the table for dice/drinks ect. It's worked out really well for us.

 

[Andre]

re, your specific question: Any table where the players can sit comfortably would be best. Card tables, dining room table, etc. I like card tables as I can fold them up when not gaming and use the space for other things. They're also relatively cheap. (In fact, I paid more for the chairs than I did the tables, but as Der Kluge says, comfortable chairs are important!)

Other considerations:
-We use a couple tv trays on either side of the GM's chair. This makes it easy to keep materials handy, or a place for a laptop, if desired.
-A tile floor would be best, but if you're setting this up in a room that already has carpeting, spring for a couple large floor rugs. The cheapest you can stand to look at. Then spray liberally with scotch guard. My friends are good folks, but messes happen...
-If your group has lots of munchies while gaming, consider setting up a second table nearby for the food, plates, paper towels, etc. Saves room at the main table.
-Some shelves for miniatures and the "library".
-Sound system with remote control. Doesn't have to be anything extravagent.
-Good lighting. Add extra lamps if needed.
-Good ventilation and airflow. Ceiling fans work nicely.
-One group I used to game with had a dorm fridge in the game room (the basement). Really convenient, given how far away the kitchen was.
-A place to store stuff when not gaming, including character sheets. It's amazing how often people lose things between sessions.

 

[fafhrd]

In my previous gaming group, the hosts had a 3x6 hard plastic table with folding legs. They overlaid the table with a large particle board disk which would strap onto the face of the table via velcro straps. I'm not sure where they acquired it, but it served really well.

When we eventually replaced our battle mat with tact-tiles, the circular nature of the table lent itself really well to large battlemaps, while retaining enough "waste" space for elbows and books. The whole setup folded away into a closet between games.

 

[the Jester]

We don't have a central table, we sit around the room.

 

[sniffles]

I play sometimes at a friend's apartment, and he has his spare bedroom set up for gaming. He uses an old dining room table with two leaves, which makes it about 6' long. Until recently we used the matching chairs, but they all died and have been replaced with stackable metal chairs, like the ones you see in hotel conference rooms (very convenient for storing extra chairs).

Another friend has a basement gaming room with folding tables. The folding tables weren't quite wide enough so the owner enlarged them with pieces of masonite, backed with a frame of wood pieces so that it doesn't slide around on top of the folding table. The only drawback to this arrangement is that the masonite is flexible and bends when we lean on it.

I concur with der_kluge that comfortable chairs are an essential!

 

[Psion]

We just finished our basement, and the largest room in it is the game room.

The table was probably intended as a kitchen table. We do have a larger banquet style table we could set up if needed.

Oh, quick tip: when shopping for bookshelves, I recommend going to IKEA over Staples, Walmart, or the like. Those cheapy little bookshelves tend to sag under one row of gaming books.

 

[der_kluge]

Oh, quick tip: when shopping for bookshelves, I recommend going to IKEA over Staples, Walmart, or the like. Those cheapy little bookshelves tend to sag under one row of gaming books.

Don't get me wrong; I love IKEA, but since when does IKEA = high quality?

 

[reveal]

We have two 6-foot rectangular tables side by side. We got them from Sam's Club and they work great.

Everyone sits in different chairs around the table. Two sit in folding chairs, two sit in plastic chairs and one sits in a wooden chair. I sit in my high backed, padded computer chair and am very comfy.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

For a birthday, anneversary, or something give the Wife a spa weekend trip. Then while she's away build this very elberate gaming table and place it in the house.

I would just like to say that I - The_Universe's wife - has nothing to do with our not having an incredibly elaborate gaming table like we've been linked to. No no! It is our collective lack of that kind of money!

*shakes fist at her husband* Don't you blame me, honey! I would LOVE to have that kind of set up!