Build A Poker Table

Posted on4/8/2022by admin

Build A Poker Table Average ratng: 6,0/10 4807 votes

A poker table is a necessity in every card player's household. It can fit several people for a fun game of poker, or any other card game. Unfortunately a poker table can be expensive to buy. Luckily, for the average do-it-yourself person, it is easy to build a poker table. A person can build a poker table to accommodate any game room comfortably.

Almost all poker table construction begins with some form of plywood. – 1 to 3 Sheets are typically required, it depends on the table being made. The playing surface- Sometimes people substitute particleboard for this part of the table.
Here is a quick list of the different parts of a poker table and options you may choose from when building your own poker table. Rail - Cover Material. There are a few different types of material you can use to make your rail, including: vinyl, suede, leather.

There are couple of basic tools needed to build a poker table. They include a jigsaw, sander, tape measure, cordless drill, spray adhesive, staple gun, sandpaper, wood screws and a speed square. The building supplies needed to build a poker table are two sheets of 4 foot (121.9 cm) by 8 foot (243.8 cm) plywood, several yards of felt, foam and vinyl, and a set of folding table legs. The size of the wood needed is dependent upon the size of the poker table being built.

PC Potato poker table (Dead link Feb 2017) This is the original 'How to Build a Poker Table' website! Dozens of photos and step-by-step instructions. Make sure you check out his poker table gallery for hundreds of pictures of other people's home-built poker tables!

Start to build a poker table by cutting one of the large pieces of plywood into an oval the shape and size desired. This will be the table top. Lay it over the second piece of plywood and trace it with a carpenters pencil. Cut it out with the jigsaw.

Continue to build a poker table by measuring 5 inches (12.7 cm)into the second piece and cutting another oval. The outer piece will be the railing for the poker table. The smaller inner oval is set aside to add support to the table later on.

Mark 1 inch (2.5 cm) all the way around the large oval that was cut first. Using the cordless drill, make holes around the perimeter of the line and insert the jig saw. Cut around the 1 inch (2.5 cm) perimeter and remove the ring. This will be used for the lower railing.

Use wood screws, fasten the upper and lower railings together and set aside. Secure the small inner oval, that was removed when cutting the upper railing, to the table top using wood screws. Attach the folding table legs to the small oval on the underside of the table top. Flip it back over and smooth out the wood using sand paper or an electric sander.

Cut the foam to the size of the table top and secure with a spray adhesive. Cover the foam and table top in velvet and stretch until tight. Flip the table top over, then staple the velvet to the wood.

Trim two pieces of foam for the side of the railing and one for the top. Spray the railing with spray adhesive, then attach the foam. Cover the top and sides of the railing in the vinyl and pull until it fits snugly. Flip the railing over and staple the vinyl to the bottom of it.

Lay the railing over the table top. It should be perfectly centered and flush with the edge of the table top. Crawl under the poker table and fasten the railing to the table top using bolts.

Whether you are thinking about building a poker table or are just curious about what they are made of, you have come to the right place. I have played on every different type of table imaginable and witnessed them being built many times. So, I put together a detailed list of what materials they are made of.

What are poker tables made of?

Plywood or Particle Board- For the tabletop and cover
2×4 or 4×4 boards- For the legs
Felt, Velveteen, or Speed Cloth- To cover the playing surface
Vinyl or Leather- To cover the side railing
1″ High-Density Foam- For padding underneath the railing
1/4″ Foam- Padding under the playing surface

Now those are just the basic materials. Let’s go through each of them one by one and also cover additional hardware that might be part of the construction of a poker table.

What Poker Tables are Made of

Whether you are building a poker table or just curious as to what they are made of, I’ve got you covered. Let’s start with where the action actually happens in a poker game.

What Is the Tabletop of a Poker Table Made Of?

Almost all poker table construction begins with some form of plywood. – 1 to 3 Sheets are typically required, it depends on the table being made.

The playing surface- Sometimes people substitute particleboard for this part of the table.
The base- This is often an optional layer added on using a higher-end wood, like oak, to create an attractive underside to the table.
The lid- Pine, birch, or oak are the most typical choices for creating a lid on the table.

What Thickness Should the Plywood Be?

The most typical thickness used in building a table is as thick as 3/4″ or as thin as 1/4″ plywood sheets. 5/8″ particle board or MDF is also commonly used.

What Are the Legs of a Poker Table Made Of?

Custom or homemade poker table legs are usually made of wood. However, you can purchase metal table legs that can be installed.

Common, people use pine 2×4 boards, 4×4 posts, or some combination of the two.

What Is the Playing Surface of a Poker Table Made Of?

The playing surface of a poker table is typically made of two layers; an outer cloth layer and a foam later underneath.

The covering of a poker table varies based on a person’s preference. Among the choices are:

Speed cloth

This is the most popular type of covering made today. It is typically waterproof and allows the playing cards to smoothly be dealt across the entire table. Most people will want to use this material. It is also very reasonably priced.

Octagon Poker Table Plans

Felt

Traditionally, this is the most common type of surface used on both pool and poker tables. It is usually made of wool and nylon.

If you prefer the surface to not be “slippery” and not have the cards slide as easily, this is a good choice. However, it is also usually the most expensive surface to purchase.

Velveteen

This type of surface is actually made from cotton. It is a nice alternative if you don’t want to pay for expensive velvet. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference.

Playing Surface Foam

Most people will want their playing surface to be a bit soft. Therefore, builders will add a foam layer underneath the playing surface of a poker table. 1/4″ foam is usually used, sometimes closed-cell.

What Is the Railing of a Poker Table Made Of?

The railing is also made with two layers. The only difference is the type and density of the materials used.

The Railing Cover

The railing cover, or upholstering, is almost always Vinyl. However, some people use leather as a more expensive option.

The Railing Foam

For the railing, you will want a thicker foam. Usually, 1″ high-density foam is best.

Additional Poker Table Options

Here are a few additional options that are commonly installed in poker tables.

Cup Holders

You can buy these on Amazon fairly cheaply. I recommend getting aluminum ones over the plastic varieties. They just look much more classy, plastic always comes off as cheap.

Dealer’s Tray or Player Trays

This is handy if you use a dedicated dealer. However, I would strongly advise against installing these in front of players. Most people like to stack their chips and not stick them in these cheesy trays. Besides, there is less room to set your phone, food, or drink. Nothing contributes to spills more than these cheap plastic chip trays.

Dealer Toke Box

If you host a game with a dedicated dealer and want some extra security, you can install a tip/rake/toke box into the table. This is an option that you will only want to invest in if you play high stakes home games.

What Are Table Mats/Toppers Made Of?

Today, most poker table mats are made from foam covered by speed cloth. However, some of the folding varieties can be constructed from plastic and velveteen. Usually, the materials are cheap and will wear out quickly.

What Tools and Hardware Are Needed to Make a Poker Table?

In this section, I will just list the common tools and hardware that you might need to build your own poker table.

Hardware Needed

Wood Screws (1-1/4″ usually)
Washers (1/4″)
T-Nuts (1/4″)
Machine Bolts (1/4″)
1/2″ staple gun staples
Wood Stain
Wood or Carpenter’s Glue (Like Gorilla Glue)

Typical Tools Needed to Build a Poker Table

Spade Bit
Router
Power Drill
Jig Saw
Tape Measure
Staple Gun
Sanding Block
File
A Level
Exacto Knife
Pencil
Spray Adhesive- 3M “77” spray adhesive is highly recommended
Scotchguard Spray- For waterproofing the cloth
Polyurethane- To protect the wood from spills

Typical Table Dimensions

If you want to build a casino-sized poker table, they are usually between 92 and 104 inches long and 44 inches wide. The height is often about 30 inches.

Recommended Building Plans

In my opinion, there is no reason to overcomplicate things or go to a huge expense to build a poker table. Here are a few links to plans that match those two criteria:

Oval 4′ x 6′ Poker Table– Great for smaller games or rooms with limited space.
Oval 4′ x 8′ Poker Table– A casino-sized poker table for your home games.
Octagon Poker Table– A popular style table for casual games.
Round 6-Person Table– This is more complicated, but thought it worth including. This thing will fit anywhere.

Buy a Table Instead?

If you want to find a high-quality table and don’t want to bother trying to build one yourself, I wrote a detailed guide to finding the best poker table for you. Be sure to check it out.

Final Thoughts