So I'm having a custom table (actually table top) made, because the place I'm going to host games (converted garage) can't hold the 200x100 cm table I wanted to buy.

I could simply buy a fold-up octagon table for about $120, but I think I can have a very simple custom top made at similar cost, and even if it runs me a bit more, it'll be worth it to have something "nice". I live in Poland, where there really isn't a market for poker tables, which means that if I want to import a "better" fold-up table, I'd pay out the wazoo for shipping from, say, Germany or the UK, so that option's out also - I could make a quite nice custom table here for the ~$350 I would pay for a table+shipping.

It'll be used 2-3 times a month for a single 7-8 hour cash game session, so I don't expect too much wear and tear.

For the top, I'm going to use either MDF, plywood, or perhaps pine. Another possibility is the end of a wood cable spool (can be bought for around $30). For easy storage, I'll just mount some screw-in legs from Ikea that can easily be taken off and put against the wall. Yes, this is really low-budget stuff, but I don't want to invest more than necessary, I'm hosting for fun, not profit.

Attendance will be capped at 8 players at a time, and the game will be self-deal.

A few simple questions:

Round or octagon? I personally think round looks classier, but maybe octagon is more manageable, giving everyone an equal amount of space? Oval is also an option, but might be a bit tougher to get the size right.

Size? The prefab octagon foldups are 120x120cm, my room will fit max 140x140 (or just 140cm circumference if round). Is 120x120 cm enough? Would I feel a big difference between 130 and 140 cm? An oval could probably get to 140x80, might be a bit awkward, I'm not a great judge.

Cover material? Should I just get speed cloth and forget about it? Or will a cheaper impregnated run-of-the-mill felt (2x the cost of regular felt) get the job done? Or something else you might suggest?

Color? Green is classic, red is IMO a bit classier, but I'm also partial to black and dark grey. I think black with a light-colored rail cushion (ecru, beige, etc.) would look pretty cool, but a green cloth with black rail would also do the job.

Cupholders? This is a cost/benefit analysis - are they a must-have, or can we do without? Also, is it really so bad to have them in the table (chips/cards falling in, etc.), or do they simply have to be in the rail itself?

Any other ideas/tips would of course be welcome. Will post pics when the setup is done

Do not use MDF. It will break when you move it around. Plywood is your best bet. If you use a spool end, you'll need to put a thin layer of something like wallboard over it to cover the holes, or the felt will sag into it, and chips will get caught in a little pit in the middle.

Folding legs (like these) are better than screw in, as they have their own bracing. Screw in legs almost always make for a wobbly table.

Oval is the best shape, if your space can handle it. We'd really need an MS paint of the space with its measurements to be able to tell you what size/shape is best for the room, though. If you go round, just go round. There's no real advantage to octagon, imo, and it's more of a pain to make.

If you plan to have a rail, you don't need built in cupholders. Instead, you can get these slide-ins, like these. Given the size of European beer bottles, I'd go with the Jumbo size.

I don't really have an opinion on the covering, except to note that standard felt will not handle the moving and storage very well.