A Poker table top is one of those simple gambling supply products that can change everything about the way you approach one of your favorite pastimes. You may not notice it now, but if you don't own dedicated gaming equipment, chances are you have developed a number of bad habits in an effort to work around the stuff you've got. More than one talented amateur has found himself suddenly out of his comfort zone when he got to the World Series of Poker and found everything felt a little different from his home games.

These tops represent a nice compromise for a lot of people because investing in the full table can be tough when space and money are at a premium. With just the top, you can have the perfect playing surface when you need it, then convert back to your favorite dining spot when the game is complete each week. Throw in great poker products like custom chips and the right cards, and you could have the makings of a serious game on your hands.

Of course, not all such table tops are created equal. Sure, each has stations for each player, and an approximation of a casino-grade surface with some useful markings. But what many of these products lack is the kind of heavy duty composites and locking mechanisms that make you feel like you're playing on a surface of note and not a child's parlor game.

Look for well-reviewed table tops that come with the right materials and fast surfaces. Poker is a game of calculation and illusion, and the best surfaces are the ones that never break your rhythm with snagging seams or other irritations. If you want your weekly game to enter a new level in high-stakes professional play, you may want to look into a higher caliber of equipment.