Build A Poker Table

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Lay a store-bought tabletop for playing cards onto a full sheet of 3/4' plywood. Trace around the perimeter of the top to determine the final dimensions of the game tabletop that you’ll build. To compensate for the trim that will be attached around the edges later on, mark 1-1/2 inches inside the perimeter that you’ve already drawn. Build a poker table complete with a felt playing surface, insets for poker chips, and coasters. When the game is over, just fit the lid onto the surface to turn it into a dining table for the rest of the week. Poker Table and Optional Wood Cover PDF Poker Table and Optional Wood Cover PDF. Instagram Facebook Twitter. They sell everything from cards to poker tables and building supplies, and it didn’t take long for my search to turn from cards to tables. I quickly found out that a higher quality table would cost $1,500 or more. These tables, at 3.5’ x 8’, were never going to fit in my small basement and I couldn’t justify spending that much. Decide which side of the 3/4' sheet of oak plywood you want to be the top of the table. Measure over 14 inches from each corner, draw a line and cut the corners off. Center the oak plywood on the MDF and attach it from underneath, through the MDF. Use 1-1/4' wood screws.

  1. Diy Build A Poker Table
  2. Poker Table Plans Woodworking
  3. 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!

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

Table
  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.


This page will instruct you on how you can build an eight player poker table step by step. The finished poker table is shown in the photograph below. The table is octogonal and has cut outs to hold cards, poker chips and beverage cups. The board is finished with stain and glossy clearcoat varnish; also the playing surface is covered in felt. All materials are cheap and readily available at any builders providers or hardware store. This table could easily be made over a couple of weekends depending on your woodworking experience and using modest woodworking tools. It would make for a very neat addition to any man cave! I got my poker table plans here.






Step 1 - Materials and Tools

Materials List and approximate prices:
$72
$26
$21
$48
$14
$16
$43
$9
$3
$5
$3
$5
$7
$8
$5
$7
$16
$306
Tools I used:
  • Circular Saw
  • Hand held sander
  • Electric Staple Gun
  • Plate joiner kit

Step 2 - Cutting for each side of octogan

Firstly, start with your 6'x8' 3/4' thick pine boards. These will be cut into 8 pieces and will form the perimeter of the top surface of the poker table. These will be routered out later to allow space for cups and chips/cards.


Step 3 - Cutting edge piece/molding

Diy Build A Poker Table

Next take your 6'x3' 3/4' thick long pine boards and using a drop saw or hand saw (with mitre box!)cut them roughly 1' longer than the longestedge of the 8 pieces that you have just cut in Step 2. These will be nailed and glued along the edge of the table top as a finish molding.

Step 4 - Gluing up each side of octogan

The next step will involve nailing and gluing the pieces cut in step 3 to the pieces cut in step 2.
I did mention that the pieces cut in step 3 ought to be about 1' longer than the longest edge of the piece cut in step 2. This difference will be split so that the pieces from step 3 will stick out 1/2' on each side of each piece (longest edge) from step 2. This was to ensure that there is enough material to trim off at the appropriate angle i.e. flush and inline with edges of the pieces made in step 2. Nails out to be punched below the surface and then later filled with appropriate colored wood filler.

Step 5 - Cutting each side to correct length and angle

The next step is to trim up the assembly on both sides such that each edge of the assembly is at the same angle. This is done using the mitre saw. Please ensure that your mitre saw is at the correct angle. Double check to be sure! Run your finger along the cut edge to ensure that the surface is smoothe and the edge of each piece is aligned.
The image on the right below shows the desired result.

Step 6 - Cutting out for cup holder

Using a hole saw cut a hole wide enough to allow the cup holders to fit snugly.

Step 7 - Cutting out for chips storage

The next step involves cutting the rectangular hole out which will allow each player to store his/her chips/cards. I did this by drilling a hole within the outline of the rectangle to allow the jigsaw blade to get started then slowly and carefully cutting out the material. Patience is key here, as I would imagine you want a smooth straight finish. Tip: Clamp a piece of straight edge to run your jigsaw against. This will ensure a very straight cut. This isn't shown in the diagram by the way.

Step 8 - Dry Assembly

At this stage, all going well, you should have 8 assemblies exactly like that in the picture above on the right. It would make very good sense at this stage to dry fit the assembly to ensure that all edges join up with no gaps, if you what I mean. They then can joined permanently.

Step 9 - Gluing up final assembly

Assuming that step 8 went well, the next step will be to cut out holes for the biscuits using the jointer and then gluing up the assembly. The pieces will be held together using clamps in the positions shown on the image on the right below.
Once the glue has dried, the two halves are then glued together on the flat as shown below in the picture.

Step 10 - Cut plywood base

The next step is to cut the plywood base onto which the assembly above will sit.
Using the octagon ring made in step 9, measure the inside diameter and this will give you the measurement to mark out the outline of the base onto a sheet of plywood. I actually had to join two plywood sheets together as one would not suffice. It's all about measuring twice and cutting once here!

Step 11 - Cutting out for cup-holders in plywood base

The holes for the cup holders will now be cut out in the plywood base. This is done by fitting the top octagon ring (from step 9) to the plywood base (from step 10) and then using the top holes as a guide for the hole saw to cut holes into the plywood base.

Step 12 - Router the top edges

To give the table top a nice appearance I rounded all the edges with a router and a rounding bit.
Paying particular attention to the joints, I sanded all the surfaces with 120 grit paper on a hand held sander. I finished off the sanding with a 220 grit sandpaper. The surface was very smooth at this stage ready for stain and a finish. But that will come later. Next to cut out the centre octagon.

Step 13 - Cut out centre octagon

Next, the centre octagon (play surface) is cut out and wrapped up with felt. This piece is cut using a 4' x 4' sheet of 3/4' birch plywood. Remembering that batting & felt will be wrapped around this piece it is important that there roughly a 1/8' gap all around to allow for the thickness of the felt.

The batting is glued to the plywood using a spray adhesive. The edges are then wrapped around the edges and stapled to the other side. The same is done when gluing the felt (green) to the batting.

Step 13 - Making the foot of the table.

The foot of the table is simply a plywood octagon which can be made to any width you desire. Mine was made 5/6 the width of the octagon centre piece mad in step 13.

Step 14 - Making the pedestal

The pedestal is the base onto which the table top rests. The pedestal consists of an upper pedestal and a lower pedestal. The upper pedestal slides over the bottom pedestal such that the table can be easily dis-assembled and transported from one place to another.
The top (&bottom) pedestal is square and is made from 3/4' plywood. The pedestal is nailed and glued together.
The bottom pedestal is constructed in the same way as the top pedestal but is nailed to the plywood foot. This is shown in the photos below.
Both the top and bottom pedestal edges are finished with a pine trim.

Step 15 - Finishing

The next step involves staining all surfaces that will be visible when the table is fully assembled.
All surfaces are given a sanding firstly with 120 grit sand paper and then secondly a rub with 220 grit sandpaper. All surfaces and brushed and rub with a tack cloth to remove any dust.
Uneven staining is a common problem when staining softwoods like pine, thus the wood is first preconditioned to allow the stain to stain the wood more evenly. The stain is allowed to dry, lightly sanded and rubbed with a tack cloth. The wood is then given a coat of polyurethane.

Step 16 - Attaching the top pedestal to the plywood base

Once the polyurethane has dried you can now proceed to attach the top pedestal to the plywood base.
On the underside of the plywood base mark out a section in the middle and apply glue. For extra security the top pedestal is screwed to the plywood wood base.

Step 17 - Cutting & gluing fabric in chip holder cut out

Poker Table Plans Woodworking

The table is assembled. The octagon ring will give the correct positions for the batting and felt cut outs. The method of securing the batting to the plywood base and then the felt to the batting is identical to the method used in step 13.
Once the fabric fitting is complete lay the octagon ring on top.

Build A Poker Table

Step 18 - Ready to Play some Poker?

The table is ready for some fun nights of poker playing with friends or family.
I hoped that you have realised just how easy it is to make your own poker table. I used some plans that I bought online and they were well worth it. I have had many a fun night poker with my buddies, you can too.