How to build a custom 10 player poker table. I would say I spent around $200.00 or less for this project. I have made this table using 1/2 inch MDF board from Home Depot. I used 1 - 4' x 8' sheet. This is my first time building anything like this. For a couple hundred bucks I think it came out good. I have plans to build a larger one piece deluxe poker table top. I will start on this starting in late Jan. 2013. I had a lot fun design and building this table. It was just something that I decided to do on the spur of the moment. I was going to re- build a green house for my wife, but she said she did not want one right now. The first thing that I did was drawn out plans for my table in my work note book. I made the drawing on one page. Then made a list on the next page of the items I would need. If you have some skills, this is not a very hard project to do on your - - - own & for me it was a lot of fun~!bIf you do not have a saw to cut this or do not want to bother with the cutting, Home Depot will do the cutting for you.
The dimensions of the table: 85" x 40". I made this as a 3 piece folding table so that I could take it to other locations for games. There are 2 pieces that are 25" x 40" & 1 piece that is 35" x 40". This piece is the center piece. I used 3" hinges from home depot (6) total. They were $2.97 (2) to a package. I made 10 slots for the poker chips. I cut the slots 11 1/2" long x 4" wide.
As you see I have 8 trays that are straight & 2 that are curved. It is up to you if you want to use all straight or add the curved. To cut the slots for the poker trays I used a (Jig Saw). If you have a Router you can use it. Make sure that your slots are right for your trays before you cut~! Measure twice & cut only once. I used a pencil to trace out the 11 1/2" x 4" trays. I then used a drill to make holes in the corners of the tracings. This way I was able to use my Jig Saw to cut neatly the tray slots. Then I sanded each slot down. To round off the 4 corners I just used a 8" plastic bowl. Place the bowl flush to each edge at each corner. Use a pencil to drawn the (half moon). Then cut & smooth with sand paper or your sander.
You can purchase the poker trays on Ebay. The ones that I purchased were under $3.00 each. They have 4 slots for chips & 1 slot for a drink. They hold 100 poker chips.
For the cover I went to Jo Ann Fabroc amd Craft Store. For the felt I choose their top quality red heavy duty. With a coupon the cost for a 95" long & 60" wide was only $13.00. For the padding under the felt I purchased from Jo Ann a package of Quilter's 80/20. It is 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester. It measured 90" x 108" Queen Size. I folded this in two & then cut it long ways. Giving me 2 pieces 108' long & 45" wide. I put this on after I had used the hinges to put the 3 pieces of mdf together. Be really careful when you stretch this over your table. It can tear. I had no trouble, even with 2 of my dogs under my feet most of the time. Put the first sheet down. The fold back one panel of your table. Pull gently to smooth out. I used a high quality staple gun. One with 9/16 staples is best. If you uses a smaller staple gun, you will need to hammer the staples down. I spaced the staples about 8-9 inches apart. Repeat with the 2nd sheet of cotton padding. Cut away excess as you go along. Then place your felt cover over the padding. I used my medal clamps to hold down one end of the table. Fold back the other end of the panel of the table, stretch & Staple in place. I placed the staples about 2 inches apart all the way around. Cut away excess fabric as you go along. In between the trays their we sections of felt & padding. I cut back the padding. I then used a can of spray glue to seal down the Red felt on the under side. This made a tight surface with a excellent bounce with the 2 layers of padding under the felt. I used "old news paper" to protect the areas around where I was using the spray glue. I gave good coat of glue & I barely made a dent in the can that I purchased. So I can't wait until next year to begin work on a bigger more deluxe table!
Materials used: From Home Depot: 1 sheet of 12 MDF board from, 9/16 Arrow Staples (About 300), 1 can of spray glue, 6 - 3" hinges & sand paper for my sander. From Jo-Ann store: 1 - 95" x 60 heavy duty red felt. Their are many colors to choose from & designs. 1 package of padding that made 2 layers. From Ebay: 10 poker chip trays.
Items recommend you have: Jig Saw, Electric Drill with large & small bits. Sander & sand paper. Screw drivers, hammer, a couple razor cutters with extra blades, staple gun (commercial kind 9/16 staples), 36" ruler or longer. A couple pencils. 1 pair good sharp cloth cutting scissors. Old news paper for when you are using the spray glue.
