CREATING SPACE IN A GAMING ROOM THAT WORKS

Effective gaming room layout is about finding that ideal balance between machine number optimisation, player comfort and room “feel”.

It’s not about favouring machine optimisation over creating a great room “feel”, or about creating a great room “feel” that’s not optimised for machine numbers.

There is a view that sometimes the more “space” you create in your gaming room means there are fewer machines and therefore a less effective gaming room. Over Capital Design Work’s 30+ years in designing, manufacturing and installing gaming room furniture they have found this view very often doesn’t hold true.

Why? Because if the room is not inviting then patrons won’t come in, browse and stay there anyway.

Creating a spacious gaming room feeling

One of the main factors in creating an open and inviting feel for a gaming room is aisle space. Capital often sees aisle space as one of the critical issues that can be overlooked or not considered enough when working with Clubs and Hotels.

In just about every gaming room you will need to have machine rows with players sitting back to back. This, of course, creates a need to have aisles for patrons to pass through between the rows of machines.

When you have back to back stools you need to ensure that the aisle space is sufficient so that patrons can comfortably pass through between the two rows of stools, as well as making the room open and inviting.

Mistakes that can make a gaming room feel crowded

When looking at a gaming room layout, often there are mistakes made regarding aisle space assumptions like not:

• Measuring the aisle space between the front of the two poker machine banks rather than measuring the space between the backs of the stools that will sit in front of the poker machines. So, the end result is a narrow space that is not wide enough;
• Allowing for the fact that patrons don’t sit up against the machine, they push their chair back, so they have more room.  So, the measurement for an aisle space should be between the backs of the stools that have been pushed back to allow room for patrons;
• Giving enough consideration about how many patrons can pass together in opposite directions. You will often have two patrons walking in different directions, so you don’t want them having to turn sideways to squeeze past each other. You want people to pass through between the backs of stools comfortably.
• Considering how the finished Gaming Room will look and “feel”. Narrow aisle spaces, particularly while looking down rows where there a lot of patrons playing machines, may feel a little crowded and even claustrophobic – and that’s certainly not the feel you want for your new or upgraded gaming room.

Finally, you may need to consider a main thoroughfare if your room allows for it and there are enough machines on the floor.

Want to create a spacious gaming room feeling in your venue?

If you are a Designer, Builder, Club or Hotel we can work with you to create a gaming room that works.

Capital Design Works offer free initial consultations, so you take advantage of our specialised gaming room knowledge with 30+ years in the business.

Call them on (02) 9771 2885 or complete a contact form.