Build A Poker Table
One of the most popular gambling games across the world is poker. This amazing game was earlier available at land-based casinos and poker rooms. And now it is available at online poker rooms and casinos as well. If you are into online gambling, all you have to do is sign up with one of the countless high quality online poker rooms and pick any one of the many games available to play. But nothing beats the excitement and fun of playing poker with real people at a real poker table. And if you cannot travel to a poker room you need not worry; now you can build your own poker table!
Sep 27, 2014 — Explore patty clark’s board ‘BUILD A POKER TABLE’ on Pinterest. See more ideas about poker table, poker, poker table diy. Instagram Facebook Twitter. The main top is used as a game table and as a base for the poker tabletop. Begin by cutting the main top (H), main cleats (I), and short cleats (O) to size. Sand the parts smooth, and apply self-adhesive birch veneer edge tape to all four edges of the main top. Trim and sand the excess edge tape.
Building your own poker table is a whole lot of fun and not very difficult to do. Imagine the fun you can have once you have created your own poker table. You are free to use it whenever you want. And yeah, if you are skilled at making them you could even sell them as custom poker tables and make a living out of it, an exotic one at that! This blog walks you through the fine art and science of building your own poker table.
Why Build Your Own Poker Table
There are many reasons for you to build your own poker table. For starters, it gives you the ability to host cool poker games at your home. That means you can instantly say adios to boring weekends and not have to worry about what to do on a weekend.
Another reason to build your own table for poker is the cost. If you are thinking of buying a poker table the minimum you will have to spend is anywhere between $1500 and $2000, and that is a conservative estimate. On the other hand, the most you will have to spend in order to make your own poker table would be about $500, and that is a liberal estimate. If you plan it well, you can build one for as low as $200 or $300.
If you think building your own poker table is a time-consuming exercise, think again; it doesn’t take too much time to build your own poker table. If you go at it hammer and tongs you can get a basic table up and ready in about a day. The most you would need to spend is between 2 and 4 days, that’s it.
You do not need to make a poker table; you can play the game on your dining table as well. But that is not much fun, is it? The fun is in the experience of the game. So if you could build your own table complete with a felt top, why wouldn’t you do it? It is easy, exciting, cost-effective, and fun after all!
There is no guarantee that a poker table you buy will fit into the space you have assigned for your home poker table. Those tables come in specific sizes and you will have to check that the size matches the space you have; else it is a waste of your time and money. When you make your own poker table you can design it to your custom specifications — the look and feel, the material, the size, and more.
Making Your Own Poker Table: Materials You Will Need
The materials you will need to build your own poker table are easily available. You can categorize them into the following:
Tools
- Spade bit
- Drill
- Router
Building materials
- Wooden screws
- 2×4 wooden boards
- Washers
- Zinc lag screws
- Dense foam
- Vinyl
- Felt
- Ply (oak veneer)
- Speed square
- 4 x 4 posts
How to Make Your Own Poker Table
Making your poker table is easy and can be achieved in a few easy steps. We list the steps out for you in an easy to read and understand format in this secstion. All you have to do is go through our blog and you will know how it is done. And if you aren’t clear, all you have to do is keep this document open and work your way through making your poker table following the instructions given here. You will be surprised with the results you get.
Step 1: Fixing the Wood — Sanding and Marking
The logical first step is to work on the base pieces. This has to be done before you start assembling them. Foxwoods casino 21st birthday ideas.
- Take all the base pieces and sand them thoroughly.
- On the 2 bottom platforms of 20” each and 2 top platforms of 40” each, mark the center points.
- Use a speed square to draw a line across the 4 x 4 posts from each of the center points on both sides. You must measure 1.75” in every direction prior to doing this.
Step 2: Perforate the Wood to Make Holes
The following are the steps to be followed:
- Drill 2 holes on each side of the center point between the 2 lines with a 1.5” forstner bit drill. For each piece do it on a single side.
- Take the 2 vertical legs that you have organized — each of 21” — to measure a distance of 1.75” and 3.5” from each end.
- Take these marks across the board with a speed square. For both the legs, you need to do it on the opposing sides, not the same side.
Step 3: Getting the Base Ready
Now that you have all the pieces assemble the base.
- The vertical legs are on a flat surface with the holes facing away from each other.
- The 2 middle braces are kept between the legs. The brace ends line up between the leg end and the line drawn to form a rectangle.
- Clamp the various pieces down and use a screw driver through the center of every hole; also make a mark on the brace’s two ends.
- Drill 4 to 5 inches into each of these marks, all the while keeping the drill bit straight so it is at right angles to the brace end.
Step 4: Put the Legs Together
- Fix the legs to the braces with 0.5” lag screws. Use glue and washers to do this.
- Wipe the excess glue once the joints start getting tighter.
- To the ends of the legs, attach the 2 top and bottom platform. Ensure that the 2 top braces of 2×4 are connected to the top 2 platforms.
How To Build A Poker Table For 10 Players
Step 5: Marking Out the Top Platforms
- Put the 2 top braces from above across the sides of the top platforms.
- Ensure the ends of the top braces are overhanging the top platforms with a 4-inch margin on each side.
- Now, draw with a pencil along the sides of the top brace to mark the top platforms.
Step 6: Completing the Base
Build A Poker Table With Cameras
- Take the circular saw blade and adjust the depth to 1.75”.
- Set it out between the lines you see on the top platforms and also the 2x4s.
- The next step is to fit the braces into the top braces as planned.
- Pre-drill and attach the 2x4s to the top braces with wooden screws.
- Paint the base; you can also stain it.
Step 7: Putting Together the Support Layer for the MDF
- Take the sheet of MDF (size 0.75”) and trim it down to 42”.
- Cut the length to 88”.
- Trim the corners; then measure 12 inches back from each end. Next draw a line across the area.
- For each end, locate the center and mark out 8 inches afresh in each direction.
- From these marks, draw a line connecting back to the 12-inch line created earlier.
- Use this line as a reference to cut off the 4 corners; you can do this with a circular saw.
Step 8: Hooking Up the MDH to the Base
- Take the cut MDF and attach it to the base.
- Ensure that the MDF is overhanging each side of the brace by an inch.
- Using wood screws (1.75”), attach the MDF to the top for the base.
Step 9: Constructing the Oak Tabletop
- Use the oak plywood to put together the oak tabletop.
- Measure 14+ inches from each corner and then cut the corners after drawing a line.
- Ensure the oak plywood is at the center of the MDF.
- Use wood screws to attach the plywood and the MDF together.
Step 10: Hook the Felt Top
Follow the same process as above to hook up the felt top to the oak plywood.
- Use MDF that is 24 inches wide and 6 feet long.
- At 8 inches from each corner, draw a line; this allows you to slice the corners off.
- Next, wrap the MDF in the foam; then staple it to the board, on the underside.
- Repeat the process for the felt. Then, hook up the felt top to the oak earlier.
Step 11: Finally, Add the Rails
- You can add the rails after you have wrapped the rails in foam and vinyl.
- Once they are wrapped, clip them to the edge of the oak top.
- Use screws to drill and hold the plywood from below using screws.
Step 12: Add the Recessed Cups
- Use a pencil to trace the cup’s shape outline on the wood.
- Use the forstner bit to drill a hole each on both sides of the circle.
- Then use a router to get the shape for the recessed cups right.
Leave the whole apparatus now to dry and fall in place. This is how you can build a custom poker table right at home.
A typical casino poker table has a length of between 92 and 104 inches (234 and 264 cm), a width of 44 inches (112 cm), and a height of 30 inches (76 cm). You can expect to also add 4 inches (10 cm) to the length and width for the outer “racetrack” railing. The weight commonly ranges from 170 to 200 pounds (77 to 91 kilos ) but can go up to as high as 350 pounds (159 kilos).
Outside of casino models, there is no official or standard sizing for poker tables as it all depends on who is making it and the shape of the table. In fact, there is pretty much a table out there to fit any space. From roll-up poker mats to octagon, round, and oval folding poker tables, with and without legs. And, of course, you have the high-end professional versions that are meant to simulate casino quality tables. Let’s take a look at the various types and shapes found in home poker tables, what they are made of, and how many people they typically seat.
Please note, dimensions will be listed in the following format in inches: Length x Width x Height (cm conversion)
Table of Contents
Oval Poker Tables
Oval poker tables are the most common design and home models usually fold up for storage.
- Sizes
Permanent home versions are often 92x44x30 (234x112x76). Foldable models are usually about 84x42x30 (213x107x76) but can be as small as around 73 inches long and 32 inches wide. - Weight
54 to 85 pounds. - Materials
Tops are usually felt-covered wood, the railing vinyl, and the legs steel. Materials can vary based on the quality and price point. - Number Of Players
Most oval tables are designed to hold 9 or 10 players, however, some of the smaller models typically only hold 6 or 7 comfortably. To truly hold 9 or 10 players, 84-inch width and up is recommended.
Octagon Poker Tables
Octagonal tables have grown in popularity since most home poker games consist of 4–6 people. These tables are nice and compact and handle that number of people easily.
- Sizes
48x48x30 (122x122x76) for foldable models. Tabletop versions are usually the same size but occasionally are found a bit bigger, around 50 inches wide. - Weight
45 to 60 pounds with legs, 20–40 pounds for tabletop versions. - Materials
Folding octagonal tables are usually felt-covered wood, the railing plastic and occasionally vinyl, with the steel legs. Tabletop versions are often felt-covered plastic, with a plastic border or “railing”. Again, materials can vary based on the quality and price point. - Number Of Players
Most octagon-shaped table, like this one found on Amazon, are designed to hold up to 8 players. However, most versions will comfortably hold 5 or 6.
Round Poker Tables
Round poker tables are actually the least common design you will see and are typically only available in permanent options.
- Sizes
48 to 60 inches wide. Tabletop versions are hard to find but are about 48 inches wide. - Weight
Too rare to put a common weight. - Materials
Varies. - Number Of Players
There’s a reason round tables are out of vogue; they just don’t hold as many people as oval or octagonal models do. Most round poker tables hold 4 people, 5 if you squeeze in.
Square Poker Tables
Square tables are also rare and about 34 inches across. Since they only hold 4 people, most people opt for a different shape, or just use a square table from Walmart. Even so, if you only hold small games, they can be a decent option. if you can find one. Tabletop versions that can be set on an existing dining room table do exist, however, my advice is to instead get a rectangular mat… covered in the next section.
What About Poker Mats?
Poker mats are an excellent option for the occasional impromptu card game. They are light and portable as is humanly possible, since they are made of either cloth or rubber, and typically come in a rectangular or oval shape. Poker mats, like this one found on Amazon, are usually about 72×36 (183×91).
Space Needed For A Poker Table
Ideally, you want at least 3 feet (1 meter) of clearance around a poker table to allow for adequate seating and movement around the room. If you have a small square poker room, I would suggest an octagon-shaped table, as these seem to fit best in small spaces while allowing for a maximum number of people to be seated. If your room is rectangular, any oval table like this nice Amazon model, that fits within the parameters of the space will do fine.
Important Tip: When choosing a poker table make sure that you look at the actual total dimensions of the table including any railings. Often, the sale listing of a poker table will only include the dimensions of the actual playing area of the table!
Just to be safe, my advice is to allow another 4 inches (10 cm) to the length and width of any poker table you find online that has a racetrack design or an armrest area on the table. Or, contact the manufacturer and see if you can get exact detailed specs.
What About Chairs?
Remember to always leave ample space and elbow room around your poker table for people to be able to get in and out of their chairs and maneuver their poker chips. I would recommend just getting folding chairs for your poker buddies unless you are playing at a dining room table that already has nice sturdy chairs. On that front, I suggest that you invest in some heavy-duty chairs that will hold players who might be on the heavy side. Here are some that should do the job nicely. They have a really high weight capacity.
Do Covering Types Affect Table Size?
All types of table coverings can be affixed to any table dimension. Even so, while covering types do not directly affect the space that a table will fit, you may want to consider using a faster cloth in more enclosed spaces. With standard cloth, the cards will not move across the surface and someone dealing at the end of the table in a recreational game will have a hard time sliding the cards all the way to the other end on slower cloth. There are two common options for poker table coverings, or felt; standard felt or speed cloth.
- Standard Felt
This is the standard choice for the most poker tables, especially lower-priced versions. The surface has a roughness to it and often it is challenging to get the cards to slide all the way out to where you want them while dealing. However, this is the least expensive surface and is fine for most players. Even so, some people like to upgrade to a “professional” surface, called speed cloth. - Speed Cloth
A lot of poker enthusiasts and professional poker players prefer the surface they play on to be a bit faster than standard felt. Therefore, they often want to play with speed cloth. Made of a more slippery type of polyester, you will have no issues getting cards to slide from one end of the table to the other end while dealing. However, players not used to a faster surface may grumble that the cards are sliding too fast, and sometimes flying off the table. The vast majority of poker tables do not come standard with speed cloth, as it is usually an upgrade only if one is willing to pay for the option.
A Brief History of Poker Table Sizes
The earliest card tables show up in the 1700s in response to the growing popularity of card games around Europe. In fact, it was common for people to buy card tables as fine furniture for their home, prominently displayed. Many versions even had a folding top, which allowed them to function as another piece of furniture when not in use. The wealthier classes paid exorbitant amounts for higher-end tables. Most of the designs were semicircular or oval and typically 36 inches in diameter.
For more about finding the right poker table, I also wrote a comprehensive poker table guide to help you in your search. Thanks for stopping by!
