I wanted to share how we set up our play area so that anyone who likes our idea is free to do the same. Note 1: others may already do this, so I don't take credit for thinking of it. Note 2: this works for any tabletop game, not just PACG.
We play on the dining room table. I purchased a piece of black felt from a fabric store that is just larger than my table with the leaves in. The black felt provides a perfect playing surface for rolling dice, and being able to pick up cards without bending them or getting "stuck" to the wooden surface. You could get felt in any color, but I like black because it offers great contrast to the cards and dice. I use large binder clips to clamp the felt to the corners of the table which pulls the felt tight and keeps it from moving.
Added benefits is that I can bring it with me to a friend's house, toss it in the wash, and replace it a lot easier than a scratched and dented table. Plus it's cheap to begin with.
I set the game box on a TV tray next to my chair so I have easy access to getting/returning cards, and it keeps the table clear for play and snacks.
The felt would actually be a really nice touch for my group, so I will need to think about that a little. I bet it is not all that expensive, either.
As for having a TV tray, that I am already doing. It is really nice to get the box off the table, so that you have more room for the actual game. I also find that it helps to put the box between two people so that both of you can sort out the card that are returning to the box. This helps when closing locations and when you rebuild characters. Also, you don't want to be dealing with putting back cards when your turn comes up, either.
The felt would actually be a really nice touch for my group, so I will need to think about that a little. I bet it is not all that expensive, either.
I got the felt I'm using now many years ago from a Walmart fabric department. I think it cost a few bucks. But my felt is starting to pull/tuft up, so it's time for a replacement. I'll be looking for a type of felt more akin to a casino gaming table or a billiards table than what I have now. I still expect it not to cost more than a few bucks for a cut large enough for my table.
The key is the binder clips, or some other method for stretching the felt tight and keeping it from moving. Without an anchor of some time, you wind up with people inadvertently pulling the cloth off the table, spilling cards, drinks, dice, etc. or causing wrinkles that could flip over a card or interfere with die rolls.
The felt would actually be a really nice touch for my group, so I will need to think about that a little. I bet it is not all that expensive, either.I got the felt I'm using now many years ago from a Walmart fabric department. I think it cost a few bucks. But my felt is starting to pull/tuft up, so it's time for a replacement. I'll be looking for a type of felt more akin to a casino gaming table or a billiards table than what I have now. I still expect it not to cost more than a few bucks for a cut large enough for my table.
The key is the binder clips, or some other method for stretching the felt tight and keeping it from moving. Without an anchor of some time, you wind up with people inadvertently pulling the cloth off the table, spilling cards, drinks, dice, etc. or causing wrinkles that could flip over a card or interfere with die rolls.
Currently, I have a poker table that has a removable top. It is a little complicated, but on the top is a Texas hold 'em felt, but that gets covered most of the time with an inch thick piece that has a wooden top on one side, and a blackjack felt side. I do not like using this, just for the fact that there are a lot of lines and words that clog up the battlefield, so to speak. Anyways, if I get a black piece of felt, then I can use the topper to keep it stretched. I think that will be the plan, then.
I hope everybody saw this awesome idea, because it's awesome.
I hope everybody saw this awesome idea, because it's awesome.
You are correct, this is awesome. I am not at all starving for space, but this is a really cool idea. Like I have said, though, we play on a fairly sizable poker table, so we do not hurt for space, even with 5-6 people.
Now, if I take the game over to a friend's apartment or something, then I will definitely consider picking up the business card holder. Thank you for the idea. Well, thank you for finder the post, and relaying it to us.
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I am still more in favor of the turntable idea myself...and my custom one is almost done. Will post pics when it's done...but this one is designed such that it both maintains the integrity of the "blessings-deck-as-indicator-of-whose-turn-it-was-when-last-turned" mechanic and provides the ability to place eight location decks such that they are equally accessible to all players at a fairly sizable table.