Recently, one of my gaming groups decided to change games. We decided to go back to an old favorite Forbidden Lands. As we were sitting around the table, finalizing our decision, I started to survey our table situation and thought about how would we arrange all the components of the game. This got me thinking about one of my favorite things about new games, but something that I don’t think a lot of time is focused on, how do you arrange your gaming table for play? So let’s talk about it.
A Functional Table Is a Productive Table
The whole reason you need to think about how you are going to arrange your gaming table comes down to this… A functional table is a productive table.
A productive table is one that efficiently plays the game, moving through the story and the mechanics of the game. A productive table spends more of its time advancing the story than being distracted.
A function table is one where the content and layout of the table facilitate the playing of the game. A functional table has all the materials it needs to run the game and is easy for the group to access. Functional tables are not an accident, they take some thought.
What Goes Into Function
To understand what your table needs to be functional, we need to examine several areas.
What the Game Needs
First, what does the game need to be played? For some games this may be just character sheets and dice, for others this may require maps, counters, cards, etc. Good rule books make it clear what is required for the game to be played.
What Does The Group Need to Play The Game?
Beyond what the game requires, the players and GM may have additional needs for playing the game. Everyone will have dice and some may have rolling trays or towers. A GM may have a GM screen or 3rd party supplements they use as reference material. Players may have laptops or tablets that require space on the table.
What Items Outside The Game Are Needed?
Besides the things to run the game, members of the group are likely to have other things at the table. The most common would be beverages and snacks. Group members who are cold may want blankets, some may have assistance items. While these things are not part of the game they are needed by the players to play the game.
Table Space
With a collection of all the things that are needed, we need to now think about the table space. Below are a few common arrangements:
Single Table
A single table setup is one where the group has only one surface on which to play. Tables vary from simple kitchen or dining room tables to elaborate gaming tables. In a single table configuration, everything has to fit into this one spot…all the materials for the game, the group’s materials, as well as any comfort items.
The space has to be divided up between, any centrally needed items, the GM’s space, and all the players’ spaces.
Multiple Tables
In a multiple-table setup, the gaming space is made up of more than one table often put together to form a larger single table. This could be a permanent setup or a secondary table may be added to a kitchen or dining room table to expand the play space.
With multiple tables, there is a consideration of the orientation of the two tables. If the tables are not square, but rather rectangles, then some different shapes can be formed based on the rotation of the two tables.
If the tables are different sizes, then there is also some consideration on what to put on each table.
As with single tables, the same divisions of space are needed, but there are some options based on the table configuration.
Sideboards
In addition to either of the tables above, smaller tables can be used as sideboards for one or more players. Sideboards are separate from the main table and are frequently used to hold beverages, keeping them off the play space.
Sideboards can be nearby counters or tables or they can be TV Diner Tables, that can be brought out during play.
I have a rolling, 3-drawer, office cart, that I call the “GM’s Caddy”. This cart sits next to me, and I use the top of the cart for easy-to-reach, but not always-accessed resources. In the drawers, I have lesser-used items, but things that may still be needed.
Monitors
Some gaming setups have monitors that are wall-mounted that can be used for play. This is also a form of a surface, as it can be used in conjunction with a VTT or could be used to display something like Google Earth.
Living Room
Up to this point, all of our descriptions have been following a more traditional table setup, but a number of gaming spaces are laid out more like living rooms. In the 90’s I ran all my games in this setup.
The living room setup is one where there is a ring of seating, couches, love seats, and chairs that are placed facing one another, and there may be a coffee table in the center, as well as side tables acting as sideboards.
In these kinds of setups, some items may be placed on the table, but most players will have some kind of clipboard or lapdesk to create a playable surface while sitting.
Arranging The Space
With a list of what needs to be at the table and an understanding of the confines of the gaming space, you can set out to arrange the space. There is no magic formula for this, but here are some tips I have from years of setting up tables:
- Start with any centrally used resources. If your game has a map of any kind or you are using minis and terrain, place this on the table first, in a central location.
- If anyone has electronics, place them near outlets or put power strips out to make power accessible.
- A GM is likely to need more space than players, try to give them a larger share of space, if possible.
- The GM should prioritize their space with things of immediate need and use a sideboard for reference materials, like rule books, supplements, etc.
- Snacks and drinks should go on sideboards, and off the main table. This helps to keep the table clutter down but also prevents any spills from ruining any gaming material.
Arranging the table may require some trial and error. Set it up and play a session. What works? What did not work? Make some adjustments. Eventually, you will find the optimal setup for your table.
My Forbidden Lands Game
Forbidden Lands has many items for play: a central map that is used for travel, initiative cards, dice, a campaign book, there are smaller location maps, handouts, and rule books. In addition, I made a clock for the game to denote the major phases of the day. As the GM, I need a tablet or laptop to display my notes, the GM screen, my dice, index cards for taking notes, and my Short Order Hero cards (for on-the-fly NPCs). Players have character sheets and dice, and one player needs their tablet for taking our session notes and accessing NPC lists, etc.
In addition to all of that, this specific group snacks like we are all in High School, so there are bags of chips, cookies, drinks, etc.
The table setup is a multiple table set up in a T shape along with some sideboards. There is also a large wall-mounted TV that can be used.
For this game, the challenge will be the travel map. The map is 20” x 30” and will consume a decent amount of table space. I am considering going with a VTT version that could be put up on the TV, keeping the table clear.
If we put the map on the table, then it’s going to cause issues with space for the players. That may require more extensive use of sideboards.
The smaller table, at the top of the T, is the GM’s table and that has enough room for my materials and perhaps some space for the map.
Honestly, I am still working out the arrangement and will be for a few weeks.
Time To Set The Table
The arrangement of gaming materials at the gaming table can help or hinder a game. When the materials are easy to access, gameplay can move smoothly. When they are hard to access, the game can become disrupted. By thinking about what is needed and the space you have, you can often come up with a clever arrangement, ensuring that the game can be played and everyone has space at the table.
How much thought do you put into the arrangement of your gaming table? What game has presented the most challenge in setting up your table?
