Tables

Everyone is familiar with the phrase, "Whatever goes around, comes around." Well, in poker, what was round, became oblong. I'm talking about poker tables, and the design change they underwent, perhaps not altogether for the better. Let me tell you how this thought came to mind.

A few weeks ago my wife decided that we needed a new dining room table. Within hours we had picked out a very nice table and matching china cabinet. Several days later they were delivered and we began using them, and we have been very pleased with them. Recently as my wife, daughters, granddaughter, and I were eating dinner, my wife made a comment that was very interesting. She said that for whatever reason, the new table seemed cozier and more intimate than our old rectangular-shaped table.

At that point the subject was changed and I didn't think any more about it, until my wife and I met with three other couples for our monthly get-together. We have what you might call a dinner club. We take turns picking new, interesting restaurants.

On this particular evening we met at an upscale steak house. We were seated at a large rectangular table and began our usual fun-loving get-together.

As the evening progressed, I noticed there was almost always two different conversations going on – one at one end of the table and the other at the other end. It didn't take me long to figure out why this was happening. I realized I couldn't see all of the people at the table without sticking my head forward and turning it at an awkward angle. That might have worked, but my head kept getting in the way of the appetizers.

As we concluded the evening, I said, "Hey, guys, the next time we meet, let's see if we can get a round table." I explained that I thought we would all be able to see each other better, talk, interact, and probably have a better time. They always let me have my way because I'm the oldest of the group, and once in a great while when I make a big score, I'll buy.

So, the next time we met, we got a large round table, and I was right. It was much cozier and friendlier, and everyone was able to see each other during the entire dinner. Everyone agreed that it had been one of our best dinners ever.

Now, the part that ties in the whole subject to poker is that in poker rooms, we have gone in exactly the opposite direction – from round tables to oblong, almost rectangular-shaped, tables. I guess the change was prompted by the fact that center dealers were introduced, so instead of eighthanded games (remember, we played only lowball and draw poker years ago), we now needed room for eight players and a dealer. Then, in 1987, we needed even more room when hold'em was introduced, to accommodate nine or 10 players and a dealer. I'm sure the reason for the change in table design was that round tables would take up much more room than oblong tables.

So, obviously, from a practical standpoint, no one can blame cardrooms for getting more people into less space. It just seems to me that we lost a lot of the intimacy and closeness that has always been associated with playing poker.

I think round tables made for a much more intimate atmosphere, and it certainly was easier to communicate with each other. I think it had to do with being able to look everyone in the eye. It's pretty hard to talk to someone when you can't see them. I also think there was more room and less bumping into each other when trying to get into and out of your seat.

When I look back on the old days in Gardena , it seems to me that the games were more friendly. Sure, there was the occasional squabble or disagreement, but by and large there were few. The players talked a lot more to each other. It was usually about things like sports, the weather, and mostly how good the food was or wasn't. Plus, there was one other small item: You could actually see when everyone acted. Now, if you're in a 10-handed game with a dealer, there are certain seats from which you can't see as many as four people. You have trouble seeing and knowing when it's your turn to act and what other players have done, let alone trying to get a read on those players.

Just think of how many more gunfights there would have been in the Old West if they had been using oblong tables.

Maybe if enough people agree with my notion, we can get the cardrooms and casinos to bring back the round tables. I'm sure they'd say it would be too expensive and so on, but what the heck, they'll just have to buy more tables and build bigger cardrooms and casinos. After all, what's more important, cardrooms making money or our comfort and ability to see and interact with all the players at our table?

For what it's worth …