Rathskellers Councilor Board Game Table Review with the Game Boy Geek

My review of the Board Game Table from Rathskellers. This is the Councilor model and these tables are hand crafted in Greece from the finest materials.
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[@TheJaceBurner]

Overall this table looks great. But that protective finish they put on the wood makes it have that plastic matte finish. I'd prefer to have the more natural wood look and just take the damage as it comes with aging.

[@MarkLewis...]

The $ range US is about $2,400 - $5,400 for the Councilor Table, plus international shipping cost and any taxes. I just built (in 2 days) a very similar game table (for DnD, Poker, Chess, & other Board games) for my game room with a friend (7'.5"L x 4'W ) for only $350 with lights and power, but no sound system, but my wireless sound system is just fine for ambient game sounds or music. Just design your table, get your materials at the "you know where" place, find a friend who can help you with tools you'll need if you don't have them (a miter-saw, power drill/screw gun, nail gun, and a table saw) and carefully build the table you want... or spend $2,400 - $5,400, plus international shipping, duty and dock fees, and any taxes (estimated at about another $5,000)totaling about $10k - $12k and still have to assemble the table (somewhat) yourself anyways. Your call.

[@MarkLewis...]

@Vanargand I agree and it's the international duty and dock fees, plus taxes that make it waaaaay over priced. For the well-off and money to blow DnD gamer, $2-5k is extravagant, but if I have $10k+ to spend on just a table, it wouldn't be a DnD table with some assembly required... But to each their own?!

[@MarkLewis...]

@Vanargand That's for you, and I respect that, but if I were to spend just the $2k-$5k on only a DnD table... then, for me, it better be fully assembled, delivered, and with my own personal DM, and the chairs thrown in for free. Lol.

[@M4ttNet]

If you already have the tools and skills sure, of course. Though if you don't then you have to factor in the cost of all the tools which is quite expansive if you have nothing. Things from power tools (miter saw, circular saw, planar, etc whatever your specific combo might be), quality workbenches/working surface to both hold the tools and the material as you build your table. I can tell you I bought probably 80-90% of the gear for a good workshop that could put out top quality builds (if i had the skills) and I easily broke into $2k-$3k. That's not even including proper tool storage, or even approaching something like a high quality table saw, which depending on your choice could be that entire budget alone. Then if you are comparing to the quality of product someone like this puts out you have to factor in the cost of time to get skilled enough to make something even remotely of this quality. This means materials, supplies, and time for projects to level up your ability before you could achieve a full born massive table like this. That's not a cheap cost either, including lots of time. So again if you have the equipment, skills, and time (and probably the ability to source high quality hard wood lumber cheap enough to fill your cost their even 3 years ago, since $350 even then seems low unless you're just talking soft pine or pure plywood or something) then obviously go for it, though if you can put something out this quality for that price you could be backed up with orders on etsy right now since etsy tables of a similar quality are actually pretty similarly priced. Now if you're shooting for a lower quality product. Maybe you're a hobbyist and have enough tools to put out something that wouldn't sell like this, but is made of a cheaper softer wood and still perfectly good quality then there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there. You can get a Jasper table from allplay for about $800-$1200 or so... which isn't actually going to be all that far above material costs these days (unless you have a special source for high quality lumber).

[@jarrettupton57]

I wish I could find out where I can get that rail by itself.

[@CB-yh3db]

Fantastic looking table, but wow is it crazy expensive imo (I went to website to look at pricing). If I ever get to a point where I could afford it, I would definitely get this one.

[@hypersapien]

It's a luxury item, no doubt. I rationalized the purchase of mine by comparing it to other hobbies people spend money on: Season tickets to your favorite sports team or having a luxury vehicle for example. It all depends on how big table top gaming is in your life. I also like the idea that my table is intended to outlive me, as compared to sports season tickets are more of a fleeting experience.

[@marcogarlaschini]

Amazing Table!

[@ilosiks12]

Omg! A real life Stewart from big bang theory!

[@jasonkimmel3061]

I thought the same thing.

[@nerode79]

My forbidden dream!

[@samstapleton3739]

I need one for d&d

[@lisawalton9631]

Hi, Dan. I'm in the process of buying one of these tables, but I'm really concerned about the height. Can you tell me how tall your table is, and was it a significant difference from your previous table? (I think I heard you say in your review that you had a "bar" table prior?) BTW, I told the company that you are the reason I decided on this table!

[@hypersapien]

I'm a geekchic fanboy, but these look pretty dang nice too. I think geekchic's literature explains they don't offer the electronic components because they feel that diminishes the longevity of the piece (if they had existed in the 70s, the tables you'd inherit from your parents would have 8-track players built in). As such, I prefer mine with out the electronics, but it looks like you can opt out of having those components if you share that preference. Cool table!

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Yes you could opt out of those, and I like the playing surface better than the Geek Chic's I've played on. It had a softer feel with a little bit of foam between the material and the hard surface.

[@hypersapien]

That does sound appealing.

[@stevenzook312]

Great review! I am in the process of purchasing a table. I mainly play TTRPGs like D&D with terrain, minis, etc. What cloth topper would you recommend?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

I liked the velvet much better than the speed cloth.

[@thefilthelement]

Why gray out the size chart?

[@marmosetfreund8506]

Hexagon one looks tempting! Btw great review!

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Thanks Ruzgar! Yes they've come out with the Hex and a more industrial looking table late last year.

[@johannesstal270]

Are you satisfied with the 110 cm width? If you had the space for it would you rather have the 125 cm width? I'm having a hard time determine what's the optimal width for a gaming table mainly for boardgames.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

The size is fine for me. Even with games with player boards usually they all fit in the table. Only rarely have I had to put the player boards on the rail when both the Board and The player boards were bigger than normal.

[@johannesstal270]

So even if you had the space you would go for the same width? I've tried to make up my mind between the 110 cm (86 inside) and the 125 cm (101 inside) width and I'm afraid that that 125 cm might feel to deep for certain games especially some 2 player games and lighter games. The the 110 might feel a bit narrow for others, while the 125 feel very roomy and nice when playing the big games. However if the 110 feel to narrow and tight I can always play top of the table for a full 110 width I guess. Have you ever played om a 125 cm one?

[@Acrizer]

Pricing looks comparable to some of the others I've looked at. But shipping from Greece? That must be astronomical.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

The shipping for this specific sized table was about $500 but the total price including shipping was very comparable to other top table brand manufacturers. But I still prefer this one due to it's solid nature, and the cool features.

[@hypersapien]

To offer a comparison: I ordered a table from Geek Chic (probably their biggest competitor), I live 3 miles away from their workshop and my delivery fee is $385.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Wow then I'd say $500 for shipping from the other side of the Earth is a great deal!

[@theAV8R]

How has it held up as a dining table? Do you feel comfortable eating over top of a set-up game? do you use an impermeable table cloth?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

theAV8R Still love it and it holds up will for our dining table. Normal days we just use place mats. Even company comes over, we put a waterproof table cloth then cover it with a decorative one

[@hypersapien]

Well, since GeekChic went under yesterday, it looks like this will be my Plan B. I know it has only been a few months since you made this video, but are you still using all the features as much as you initially did (particularly the electric ones)?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

hypersapien yes it's amazing still

[@aba_dab_o]

So when is the first GameBoyGeek-sponsored Ticket To Ride Tournament? :)

[@ridik4267]

Omg fucking god 😂 8500 dollars and I didn’t include top notch materials or accessories yea mail me one please I’ll do a review on it

[@hudarklord]

Did Dan ever mention the final price of this table?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

You can calculate the price by choosing the options here - www.rathskellers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/THE_COUNCILOR_PRICING_GUIDE_2015s.pdf

[@renukewahalatantiri1823]

Can you just use only the wine glass holder to hold other types of cups as well? Or is the slot smaller?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Renuke Wahalatantiri yes the hole is the same size and I've used it for normal cups

[@warpaint9385]

Nice table, not sure about the lights though.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

We never play without them. Thought I'd never say that! But it's just an add on option.

[@junosynth]

I wonder if I should of got this instead of the Geek Chic I just ordered. Is Geek chic considered one of the lower cost ones?

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Well it all comes down to value. My friend has a Geek Chic, and the price range is about the same, but I like how big and solid mine is, and I don't think they offer many of the cooler new features this does.

[@hypersapien]

I'm also a Geek Chic customer, and in my opinion they are both top notch vendors. There are other vendors out there that offer tables at half the price of either Geek Chic or Rathskellers- I think those tables offer the same function, but lack some of the construction and elegance you get from the pricier models.

[@BlimpMcGee]

That dead Led on the corner though

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

That's not a dead LED. That is where the cord starts / begins in the strip.

[@beemex01]

is this the normal white oak? or di you chose knotty oak/ antique oak...? I am trying to decide which one i want.

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

This was normal white oak

[@kirkbradley8939]

What size risers are you getting? (In other words, what is the ideal height for the table in your view?)

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

I didn't end up getting any since its fine for me but a little small for over 6 footers. I could have gotten higher legs but then that would raise the height and i think the height is good for me. When buying just measure from ground to top of your legs sitting I your chairs and add the amount of inches of leg room you want. They'll help you through this

[@kirkbradley8939]

Thank you for the fast response! Your video has been very, very helpful to us, and we really appreciate the detail you provided. Hope you're still enjoying your table!

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Kirk Bradley yes we love it

[@WolfofPride]

I want this table for my wolf den and one in my living room .... god I'm so extra

[@cwhooks]

No Saxophone serenade for your new table? *pout*

[@TheGameBoyGeeks]

Charles Hooks just seeing if you'll miss it and testing you. You passed!

[@cwhooks]

lol

[@blightedmonkey]

This is just a 25 minute ad for a product.

[@Landrar]

Yeah, who gets expensive options that they don't think they'll ever use? This sounds way more like paid promotion.

[@j.r.calvin4388]

It really is an incredible table, but these days, you can get something of excellent quality for under $1,000. This table is simply not worth the immense price tag. They actually charge 200 euros for a speedcloth cover? Absurd. If you have more money than sense and feel like you have to spend it, this table might be for you. But for the average gamer, there are many, many beautiful tables out there for a fraction of the price.

[@MortDraken]

Justin Lane Such as?