Homemade poker table questions...

[JPhilGolf101]

I have a few questions about making a poker table.

1. What are good demensions? Right now I have one that is 84" by 48". If definately seems too wide. Shoudl I maybe go 36" wide?

2. Would the foam you use under carpets work as a foam for both the rail and the table. I want the rail to be just a little soft not like a pillow and I want the table to absorb sound.

3. What is the best fabric for the top?

4. should the rail be bulit directly on the table and then an insert be fit in the middle or should the rail be bulit right ontop of the poker playing surface?

5. Are things like chip trays and drop boxes and cup holders worth it?

6. Should there be additional suport underneath the table.. like maybe a 2x4 right down the middle just to ad strength?

thanks...

[chaas4747]

This is a good place to start

Scott Keen

You should find all of the answers to your questions in this forum. Sorry for the link, but I think to post answers would be redundant. Good luck and have fun building.

[dandy_don]

This is the link I'd recommend to anyone considering a home made table (Table Link). Look for the links to pcpotato and Chris Norrick's tables.

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1. What are good demensions? Right now I have one that is 84" by 48". If definately seems too wide. Shoudl I maybe go 36" wide?


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42" x 84" is ideal if you do not have a dedicated dealer, chip rack or money drop. If you plan for a dealer, then you'll need to add to the length, but 42" width is ideal.

We've had as many as 12 players on my table at a time (of course comfort was excluded with this many around the table).


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2. Would the foam you use under carpets work as a foam for both the rail and the table. I want the rail to be just a little soft not like a pillow and I want the table to absorb sound.

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I don't know about sound absorbtion, but many have used the carpet pad, but I have heard some complain about hard spots in the padding. I used an auto headliner material from the local fabric store, which is a 1/4" thick foam material. Others have used a closed cell foam material from the internet.

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3. What is the best fabric for the top?


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Many use speed cloth or pool table fabric. I used and highly recommend a leather material from the local fabric store. It comes in many colors and won't create fuzz balls or soak in spills. The cards slide extremely smooth.


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4. should the rail be bulit directly on the table and then an insert be fit in the middle or should the rail be bulit right ontop of the poker playing surface?


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I used the "Perfect Rail" available at casinosupply.com. I've also seen some very nice home made rails that seem to work well. It probably comes down to personal preference.

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5. Are things like chip trays and drop boxes and cup holders worth it?


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Someone else will have to respond to this.

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6. Should there be additional suport underneath the table.. like maybe a 2x4 right down the middle just to ad strength?


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Because I used a 3/4" "hardwood" plywood as my base material I didn't have to support mine. It's now over a year old and does not sag. Of course, 99% of the time it's folded away and hanging on the garage wall on it's side.

[hornsby15]

Dimensions, I used 92"x48", and I haven't found 48" to be too wide. I did 92" instead of 96" siomply because I cut the fabric too short :P

The problem with carpet underlay, as was mentioned before is that is is an inconsistant surface. Go with a simply 1/2" closed cell foam. It may cost you up to about $30US to cover an 8x4 table.

For the fabric, I have never heard of the leather idea, which is interesting, and very old school. For my first table I went to a pool table shop, and they sold me a used pool table covering cheap. That stuff is very durable, which is good for a home table.

For my second table I used velveteen, which is ok, but not ideal. Its best selling point is that is is cheap cheap cheap. The problem is that the threads are directional, so it kind of has a smooth side and a, well, less smooth side. I certainly wouldn't say rough.

For my next table I am going to splurge and buy speed cloth.

I made my table with a wooden racetrack (similar to the one in the post above) and had the cupholders recessed in the wood. I like this style as an option, but I have decided I want my next one to be playing surface all the way across, with rail mounted on top. I like cupholders for the table, so I will get the "slide under rail" style.

Chip trays are only important if you are planning on having a cash game with a dedicated dealer, and the drop box is only necessary if you are planning on taking a rake from said cash game with a dedicated dealer. If that is something you are planning on doing often, go ahead! But otherwise save your money (to invest in a better fabric or something)

The only reason I could see for you to need additional support is if you are using mdf or plywood that is less than 3/4" thick (not recommended). However, if you are using folding legs, this support beam of yours will get in the way.

If you look on line (www.hoepokertourney.com) you can find a lot of plans for great tables, and most of the ones that I have seen that have a racetrack will end up using two sheets of 3/4" plywood, and that is plenty turdy. We were actually pleasantly surprised by how sturdy ours turned out.

Good luck with your table!

[whatsgolden]

It looks like you've got quite a bit of good info here, so this may or may not be helpful. I built my own table about 4 or 5 months ago. I used yoga mats for the padding under my playing surface. They come 24" wide, so I used two of them, and taped them together with electrical tape.

Many of my friends built their own table as well and used a variety of foams & pads under their felt, but none offer the same bounce as mine. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

[MookieBlaylock]

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I used and highly recommend a leather material from the local fabric store. It comes in many colors and won't create fuzz balls or soak in spills. The cards slide extremely smooth.

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That is interesting that you bring that material up. I am building a table and I have already bought felt for the surface. But when I went to a larger fabric store to get foam the guy at the store kept telling me about a leather material that a lot of people were buying for their poker tables. It was kind of expensive so I didnt know if I should take the guy seriously or if he was trying to make a bigger sale. Thanks for the info though, now I can sit and second guess myself.