How to Make a Combination Poker Table

Are you ready to invite your friends over for a poker game and you don’t own a good poker table? Here’s how you can create your own combination poker table for when you want to play cards, or eat a meal. Following the instructions bellow will result in an Octagon shaped card table that has a felt center and a cover which transforms this table into an everyday breakfast nook necessity.

Things You'll Need

• (1)8’X4’ sheet of ¾” plywood (preferably White Pine)
• (1)8’X4’ sheet of ¾” plywood (preferably Oak)
• (2)Yards Felt cloth (Casino Style)
• (1) Can Clear Polyurethane
• (1) Can Stain (preferably Oak)
• (1) Set folding table legs
• Sandpaper
• Staples
• Screws (1” or Sheetrock)
• Glue (Wood adhesive)
• Fabric glue
• Tools (Various carpentry tools)

Instructions

1. Cutting the wood is an important and critical step in the process of how to build a combination poker table. You will be cutting the initial octagons from each type of plywood (Oak and Pine). Look for an octagon layout calculator to assist you in the measurements. Once you have 2 equal sized octagons, use the remaining Oak plywood to cut another octagon 1” larger at the edges than the original 2 pieces. Next cut another octagon inside the original Oak Plywood shape. You want to have an 8” width remaining after removing the center. Now is the time to cut the holes for the cup holders. Using an appropriate hole saw, cut holes at each point of the inside octagon shape. You’ll also want to cut 2 inch width overhangs for the table cover. Miter cut the ends so that you’ll have an endless connection around the edge of the table top.

2. Lay the innermost octagon of Oak plywood on top of the casino felt. Pull the edges of the felt over the edges of the wood and staple to back. This will become the card surface of your combination poker table.

3. Sand all wood surfaces prior to applying any stains or polyurethanes. Here’s where your combination poker table will find the quality you’re looking for. After complete sanding the wood surfaces, apply Oak stain. Spread the stain with the grain of the wood to achieve a great coverage which shows off the Oak wood grains. Let the stain dry, sand and apply the first coat of urethane or gloss of your choice. Let dry, sand, and repeat. * coats of urethane or gloss will give your Oak finishes a depth that looks like you spent more than you did on your combination poker table. Remember that you have to do this to all the Oak Octagons. You don’t want to forget that you table cover needs to be treated as well, and should be done on both sides. Stain the rails for the table cover too.

4. Now you can attach the Oak plywood pieces to the Pine pieces. Fit the felt center into the center opening of the Oak Plywood and place face down with the pine plywood on top. You can Use wood glue to have some adhesive in between the wood layers. Screw through the Pine and secure it to the Oak pieces securely making sure the edges are aligned. Space the folding table legs evenly and attach to the bottom of the pine plywood. Attach the Oak attained side rails to the cover securely. Use wood glue to add strength to the mitered joints.

5. You’re done! Flip your table over, and you’re ready to play cards, place the table top on, and you now have a functional table that can be used for eating, meeting, or doing home work. We hope you enjoy your new combination poker table.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you sand well. It’s the part of wood working that doesn’t get the attention you need. Sand all wood edges that will be left (cup holders, table top edges) . If you want to be able to be proud of your combination poker table, be sure you take your time on the finish.

• When attaching the felt to the Oak Plywood, be sure to make the covering around the edges as minimal as possible. This piece is a hard fit for those who didn’t take the time attaching the felt.

• You can add to your poker table by adding some rope cord around the edge of the playing surface and the cup holders to add a nice touch.

• Power tools are dangerous. Please use extreme caution when cutting the wood needed for this project.