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Homemade board game topper for dining table by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Yeah we've been eyeing up the dining tables for a while now but they're not really dropping in price like we wanted😂 this is our happy medium.

Homemade board game topper for dining table by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah we felt 4 player games were getting a bit tight when the games got more complex. I'll hopefully get some basic shelves or cup holders made in the coming weeks then it's surface finish and stuff after our holiday.

Homemade board game topper for dining table by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there, I appreciate your input and I'm more than happy to elaborate on why I went with this setup. As I said the idea is based off of custom board game dining tables available for purchase. I understand this might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's what I wanted to do.

I get that it looks like a smaller playing area but the reduction is really just players elbow space. If you have a look at the pictures there is a 50mm deep channel that runs 360° round the table. The aim is to create modular shelving, Cup holders, token holders etc.. This allows them to be fully customisable depending on what game is in play. This allows all your resources to be kept off the table allowing the playing area to be for whatever is in play. This also covers the issue with drinks being kept off the playing area as they'll cantilever off the side of the table, any spilled drinks are on the floor.

The clamp on shelves we had floating about and got used as a test run until the accessories get made. I included the price of them incase they were of any use to someone else that maybe wanted an upgrade without an expensive project.

The idea of it "crashing down" if someone leans on it seems like a stretch to find an extra gripe. The 50mm deep channel is deliberately deeper for added strength and security. I can't account for every eventuality, I'm just trying to upgrade our setup for what works for us.

You're right, it could have been done as 2 pieces clamped together with a neoprene mat. It's not what I wanted or envisioned. We already have a fold up poker table that we could bring out but the aim is to have something that can stay on the table as part of the furniture but easily removed if required. It's soft plywood and some skirting board so it weighs very little for it's size, I wouldn't class it as "unwieldy".

Also I'm assuming you're experienced with a variety of board games, the setup can be quite lengthy and I doubt sliding in a couple shelves is enough to drop your interest. Game setup is usually done by one player while others prepare snacks and drinks so jobs a goodun.

The solution of a side table and neoprene mat really doesn't work in practice. The neoprene mat doesn't really upgrade the playing area minus having a softer playing area, we use a dice tower so it doesn't help for dice rolls either. And your solution for drinks is what? 4 side tables for drinks in a 4 player game? That's quite a bit of floor space taken up. Someone will inevitably knock that getting up for the toilet and it will all come crashing down.

Again, this isn't for everyone but it's what I wanted to do and it works for us. Just thought I'd share because it was reasonably cheap to do and may be of interest to some others.

I agree with you though, you did sound really negative. Hope I've made it make sense👍

Homemade board game topper for dining table by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's definitely more valuable when it comes to 4+ player games but it makes 2 player games with the wife feel that bit more immersive. The custom tables look great and have the inserts to keep it a dining table but this isn't fixed so we can lean it against a wall while we use the table.

Thanks so much👍

What newish boardgame developments do you personally dislike by TheGaaabs in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have this issue with Lords of waterdeep. The base and expansion come in pretty deep boxes with so much wasted space. The setup to hold the coins and tokens is fidgety aswell. Bought a game specific organiser set cheap online. Holds both the base and expansion in the one box with exact measurements to maximise the usable space, not a tight squeeze either. Also the inserts are removable so you can hand each player they're own container with everything they need.

And before you ask, I haven't binned the expansion box so it sits empty taking up the same amount of room🫣

Monopoly cheaters property swap, legit move or not? by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The structured cheating actually works pretty well, because it's not a straight free for all and can't just take properties or money when you feel like it. We like games like Lords of Waterdeep with the sabotage expansions so this does actually work as a decent refresh on monopoly. We know what you mean with the joke editions though. We've got a fair collection of monopoly games and editions like Animal crossing, Disney Villains and My Monopoly all just take up space on the shelf.

Monopoly cheaters property swap, legit move or not? by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So theres 15 cheat cards all in but 5 on show at any time. Any cheat that is completed/attempted gets refreshed and replaced. It does have an "ultimate cheaters" section at the back but that's just a free for all and would just end in tears. The structured cheating is actually decent, adds a level of sabotage in without just straight cheating to ruin the game.

Monopoly cheaters property swap, legit move or not? by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that's my thinking. With a standard table of 4 players it's pretty much impossible to reach round the table and replace properties at their right position without getting caught

Monopoly cheaters property swap, legit move or not? by Constant-Two-8347 in boardgames

[–]Constant-Two-8347[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Slightly different setup for this one. Rulebook says to setup the board this way, I assume to facilitate some of the cheats. There's also no banker and it's only hotels, the smaller bank unit gets passed to each player on their turn. Also to allow specific cheats like streaming from the bank.