How to Reupholster a Poker Table

Poker table fabric can be replaced with care and patience.

After an eventful poker night, there is often a cigarette burn through the poker table fabric or someone spilled a glass of beer, not to mention the stains from an overturned piece of pizza. The fabric needs replacement. Reupholstering the playing surface yourself isn't just economical---it allows you to customize fabric choice and color. But it requires time and attention to detail.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Ruler or tape measure
• Fabric of choice
• Scissors
• Staples
• Hammer

Instructions

Remove Table Top

1. Look at the table to determine how the playing surface is attached to the table frame.

2. Turn the table upside down and remove the hardware holding it to the table frame.

3. Lift the table bed away from the frame and place it upside down on a work surface.

Prepare Table Bed

1. Remove staples holding old fabric in place using flat-edge screwdriver and pliers.

2. Turn table right side up and remove old fabric.

3. Look at the foam padding that was underneath the fabric to see if it needs cleaning or replacing. If there is no padding, clean the table top with soap and water, rinse and let dry.

4. Clean the padding if needed with a cloth and then wash with warm water and dish soap. Rinse with clear water. Wipe dry.

5. Replace the padding if necessary using comparable materials and methods to the original padding.

Put On New Fabric

1. Place the new fabric, right side down, on the work surface. Suggested fabrics are velveteen, speed cloth, and wool poker table felt (see References 1 and 2).

2. Put table top, face down, on top of the wrong side of the fabric. Cut the fabric to the shape of the table top, leaving 6 inches in excess all the way around the edges.

3. Fold fabric to back side of table top along one edge. Temporarily secure with a few partially inserted evenly spaced staples, smoothing fabric and starting from the middle.

4. Stand the table on its stapled edge and work on the opposite edge, pulling fabric tight across the top and smoothing wrinkles. Partially insert a few temporary staples on that side. Repeat with other edges, going from opposite sides in the case of octagons or hexagons, until only one side is left free.

Completing the Fabric Fit

1. Remove temporary staples from the first side worked on and adjust the fit of the fabric, working gradually from the middle to the ends. Check on the table front for wrinkles and tightness. Partially insert staples every 3 inches along adjusted edge.

2. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side. Go around all the edges working opposite side to opposite side.

3. Check for fit on the table front. If wrinkles or sags exist, turn the table over, remove staples in that area, readjust and restaple.

4. When the fit is smooth and tight throughout, hammer the staples all the way into the underside of the table.

5. Trim off excess fabric and replace the top into the table frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat the fabric with a stain and moisture repellent preparation before fitting it to the table.

• If the poker table is long, having a helper is a good idea.

References

• Build Your Own Poker Tables: Step 4 - Upholstering the Poker Table Top
• Poker Supplies Ltd: Speed Cloth, Poker Felt &How to Build a Poker Table Supplies