Table chatter is talk that does not concern the game itself. It includes non-game conversation, meta-game discussion outside the actual rules of the game, and social conversation.
Positive benefits:
- Socializing and friendship
- Improving communication
- Relaxed, spontaneous atmosphere
- Potential for collaboration
Negative effects:
- Distraction
- Lack of immersion
- Improper meta-gaming
- Slow or poor decision making
- Loss of dramatic impact
- Noise