How to Build a Poker Table

Are you interested in building your own poker table? There is an amazing sense of pride that comes from being able to tell your friends that you made, with your two hands, the table that they are sitting at. If you have ever used a tape measure, a saw or a staple gun, you can build a one of a kind poker table. Just a few simple tools, some wood and an idea of what you want it to look like are all you really need to get started.

Before you can start your project, you need to have wood. A good choice is usually Red Oak, this is because it is a hardwood which is known for its durability and beauty. This is the phase of building where you can really customize your design. If you want to add cup holders, chip holders or any other kind of holder, now is the time to do it. When you are measuring the size of your table, remember to take into account that you will be adding rails along the edge, these will take up surface space, so you will need to plan accordingly.

When building a table, you first need to find a piece of wood large enough for the table surface or two pieces what will fit together nicely to form the surface. Next, the wood needs to be cut out in an oval shape according to the size of the table. After the tabletop is made, a one-inch rim needs to be made. The rim should be cut to fit the tabletop and glued into place. Once the rim is in place, a rail needs to be measured and cut out so it fits nicely onto the rim, this will prevent cards and chips from falling off the table.

Next, a pad should be fitted to the table so the table will have a soft feeling. Holes need to be cut through the padding to fit the corresponding holes in the table that were made to hold the chips, cups, plates, etc. Then the table is, often times, covered with a soft velvet like cloth. Some people prefer a billiards table cover, which works just as well. Make sure to cut holes in the cloth to line up with the holes in the table.

After getting the table padded and covered, the rail needs to be padded. This can be completed by simply cutting out the padding to the exact measurements of your rail then covering it with a layer of vinyl. When covering the padding, be sure to pull the material tight and use a large amount of staples so it will stay that way.

Keep in mind that this is a very basic overview of how to build a poker table. The beauty of building your own table is that you can personalize it to fit your needs and wants. If you would like directions that are more precise, there are handbooks available on the subject of building a poker table, which can be purchased at almost any poker store as well as online.