Game Tables (936)

Game Tables are tables cleverly designed to be used for a variety of table related games.

Common Designs of Game Tables

Chess Tables are tables designed for playing chess or checkers. A chess board is usually integral to the table top and often two drawers are provided to hold the pieces when not in use. Chess tables can be extremely decorative, and high quality made. Chess tables are typically made of solid wood with rosewood, cedar, and mahogany being the most popular.

Poker Tables are tables designed for playing card games. It is often covered with baize which is a type of felt, or speed cloth, a teflon-coated fabric that helps the cards slide easily across the surface. It is either an actual table or a fold-out tabletop surface. The edge of the table is usually padded and raised slightly for the players to rest their arms, and this section is called the "rail". There is often a layer of wood between the rail and the playing surface; this is called the "race track" and often features cup holders as well.

Billard Tables or Pool Tables, designed specifically to the various pool games such as eight-ball, nine-ball, straight pool and one-pocket. As the name implies, pocket billiards tables have pockets; normally six of them – one at each corner of the table, and one at the midpoint of each of the longer sides.

Roulette Tables are tables designed for roulette with a cloth covering the betting areas and a spinning wheel at one end or in the middle.

Multi-Gaming Tables usually consists of more than 2 styles of gaming ideals cleverly designed into a table.

Historical Information of Gaming Tables

Chess tables, game tables and folding card tables have their roots in history and remain popular today. Such pieces, often popular as game room furniture, can create the perfect setting for a strategic game of chess. Chess dates back to India around A.D. 600. From there, the time-honored game of chess spread through trade routes. It appeared in Persia around A.D. 700, and in the Arab culture around A.D. 800.

The variation of chess played today in the United States and Western Europe traversed history and geography through Persia into Italy and Spain around A.D. 1000. The game was firmly rooted in European culture around A.D. 1400. It was at this time when the rules of the game were modified into the rules we use today.

In the 16th century furniture pieces were adapted for the purpose of chess and other games. During this time chess tables and game tables were constructed of wood with needlepoint patterns for the game board. These game tables became further developed and detailed in the 18th century. During this time, card tables reached their peak of popularity and artistic detail. They were practical pieces made to fold, and were finely decorated in the Directoire style, which featured simple angles and hand painting. Chess tables, game tables and card tables are still popular today with a resurgence of attractive folding card tables reminiscent of the 18th century.