I've always put the record right on the acrylic platter when the turntable has one.
Turntable
I am going to purchase a new turntable, it will have a solid hardwood plinth. It will come with a OA2 gimbal tonearm, have a acrylic platter and a Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. It comes with a felt mat, wondering if it would be fine to play records on just the acrylic with out the felt mat or should I use the felt mat provided