How to Build a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Table

Enjoy poker with your friends by building your own Texas hold 'em table.

Texas hold 'em poker has become big business, and its popularity has increased massively with the advent of online poker sites. As a result, people are now turning their rumpus rooms or unused spaces into poker rooms to enjoy time with friends. Because commercially available poker tables are expensive, make a poker table of your own using medium-density fiberboard, vinyl, felt and other materials.

Things You'll Need

• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) 1 inch thick
• Work bench
• Tape measure
• 90 degree square edge
• Steel ruler
• Circular saw
• Drill
• Wooden ruler
• Thumb tack
• Jigsaw
• Felt
• Glue
• Utility knife
• 2 sheets of plywood
• Foam 1 inch thick
• Vinyl
• 10 cup holders
• Hole saw
• Dowel pegs
• Six 2-inch wood screws

Instructions

1. Place the piece of MDF onto a large work bench. From one short edge, measure an 88-inch length on the MDF and mark the point with a pencil. From one long edge, about 6 inches from the corner, measure a depth of 44 inches toward the middle of the MDF with your tape measure. Place the square edge against the MDF so it intercepts with the 88-inch mark. Draw a fine pencil line to connect with the 88-inch point. Use the steel ruler to finish the line. You now have a rectangle drawn measuring 44 inches by 88 inches; cut it out with the circular saw.

2. Draw a 22-inch straight line inward from one of the rectangle's short edges. From the long edges, measure another 22-inch line as close to the first line as possible. If you are accurate, they should intercept to make center of your circle, from which you will create the circumference.

3. Drill two holes in your wooden ruler, exactly 22 inches apart. Drill the hole so that a pencil tip will fit. Place one hole directly over the center of your circle and press a thumb tack into the board, through the ruler hole, to emulate a pivot. Insert the pencil into the other hole and use it to draw a semicircle faintly onto the MDF. Repeat this step on the other end. Cut around the mark with the jigsaw.

4. Cut four identical pieces of MDF measuring 20 inches by 32 inches. Attach two of the pieces together at right angles with three wood screws, then do the same with the others. In the tops of the MDF edges, drill four pilot holes for the dowel pegs. Drill four matching holes on the underside of the table, with the corner joints facing inward. Glue the dowels, and tap them gently into the holes until they are firmly fixed.

5. Cut the two sheets of plywood to the same shape as the tabletop. Measure 3 inches in at equal distances around the shape, then cut out with a jigsaw. The cut-out shape will form the rim for the foam-padded table edge.

6. Stretch the felt over the MDF and glue it firmly to the top, using the roller to flatten the material. Do not leave any creases on the top side of the table. Trim off excess material with the utility knife so you have just the surface covered. Cut the foam to 3 inches wide. Stick the foam to the plywood rim, then trim the excess. Cover the foam with vinyl, and staple it to the plywood.

7. Mark equidistant spaces for 10 cup holders, then cut them out with a hole saw. Cut through the foam and the vinyl, then secure the holders in place with glue to prevent the vinyl from tearing.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use safety glasses and proper safety measures when handling power tools.

References

• Home Poker Tourney: How to Build a Poker Table