Poker Table Building Guides, Tips & Tricks (2 Viewers)

[Irish]

Below are links to some of the more popular guides, tips & tricks for building a poker table, as well as several start-to-finish table builds with photos that members have posted over the years. If you have other resources you'd like to see added to the list, let me know!

Poker Table Guides, Tips & Tricks:

Start to Finish Video Tutorial on How to Build a Poker Table:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/table-pron-pics.17451/post-1018214

Guide for Covering Rails:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/re-upholstering-poker-table-rail.41438/post-769619

Seamless Vinyl Trick for Large Round Tables:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/54-inch-round-table-build-question.35874/post-659591

Video on how to install the playing surface cloth:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/need-help-with-putting-on-new-felt.10686/post-156242

Re-upholstering Poker Table Rail:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/re-upholstering-poker-table-rail.41438/

Playing Surface Foam Comparison:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-table-question.30485/post-561441

Betting Line Help:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/betting-line-oval-on-poker-table-dimensions.59648/

Barrington Poker Table Thread:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/barrington-poker-table-thread.30910/

Finished table pron thread:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/table-pron-pics.17451/

Member Table Full Build Threads:

@bsdunbar1 Round Table Top Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/round-table-top-build.27703/#post-1262229

@stonker Boat Shaped Table Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/new-table-build-from-boat-shaped-conference-table.46721/

@MarshMan114 Kidney Shape Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/marshs-build.57364/

@atomiktoaster Folding Topper with Rail:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/folding-topper-with-rail.14256/

@shahnuli Raised Rail Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/shahnuli’s-raised-rail-table-build.52163/

@Irish Raised Rail & Custom Pedestal Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/irishs-main-table-build.58753/

@smashr 56” Round Lighted Rail Racetrack Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...ound-5-raised-lighted-rail-5-racetrack.44131/

@bivey Chateau de Noix Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/chateau-de-noix-table-build-thread.9271/

@Trihonda Fat Tire Lighted Rail Build Thread:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/fat-tire-lighted-rail-build-thread.6169/

@Av8tion Av8tion's Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/av8tion-poker-custom-table-build.60984/

@Samoth311 Elliptical Table Build:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/elliptical-led-table-build-2020.65323/

@Bredog 60” Round Poker Table:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/60”-round-poker-table-–-first-build.67262/

@PlayerADK's Builds:
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/table-build-thread-first-table.89967/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/build-2-incoming.91112/

@LeRoi 's The Ocean Club build https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/the-ocean-club-poker-table-diy.111369/

 

[Av8tion]

Throwing a dislike on the thread for not including my build to the initial lineup of member builds...

 

[Irish]

Throwing a dislike on the thread for not including my build to the initial lineup of member builds...

If you have something to add, shoot me a link. I grabbed a bunch of builds I had bookmarked, didn't have time to scour the whole table forum.

 

[Av8tion]

probably the most-followed build thread this year...
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/av8tion-poker-custom-table-build.60984/

 

[stonker]

What a great idea. I am honored to be included along with these incredibly gifted builders. Thank you very much.

 

[Silverback]

Fantastic collection of tips
Thanks

 

[PlayerADK]

This should be a pinned thread! Amazing resource (especially for a first time table builder like myself!)

Thanks again!

 

[SiouxperStack]

Does anyone following this thread happen to know the name of the guy that created all the sought after poker table guides/blueprints? I know I’ve seen it discussed in other threads just can’t recall where.

 

[Irish]

Does anyone following this thread happen to know the name of the guy that created all the sought after poker table guides/blueprints? I know I’ve seen it discussed in other threads just can’t recall where.

Depends on the time frame you're looking for - the originals were Scott Keen, @Quads/PC Potato and the Junell Racetrack build. There was a more recent "how-to" site but I forget what it was called, something like "buildyourownpokertables.com" or similar.

 

[SiouxperStack]

Depends on the time frame you're looking for - the originals were Scott Keen, @Quads/PC Potato and the Junell Racetrack build. There was a more recent "how-to" site but I forget what it was called, something like "buildyourownpokertables.com" or similar.

I think Keen is the one I remember hearing about- thank you.

 

[Venturalvn]

Maybe this fits into a tips and tricks comment appropriate for this thread, and if not...sorry.

Is there any structural issues with building the rail out of scrap or offcuts ply? For instance if you have enough for two long rail sides, and 2 separate arcs, can you successfully join these, cover with foam and vinyl in one piece, and have them bolted to the playing surface without problems?

 

[Irish]

If you know how to biscuit joint plywood, I don't see that being an issue, especially since once the rail is done, it's resting on the table and not really a structural member.

 

[Marhault]

Hey @Irish do you remember which build it was (might have been yours can't remember) that someone built a custom rig to cut all their rounded sections at the ends of the table with a router instead of a jigsaw. I think they even cut their straight edges with a router.

 

[Irish]

Hey @Irish do you remember which build it was (might have been yours can't remember) that someone built a custom rig to cut all their rounded sections at the ends of the table with a router instead of a jigsaw. I think they even cut their straight edges with a router.

Probably not exactly what you're looking for, but hopefully this helps:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/60”-round-table-build.61376/

There are several folks who have built their own custom large diameter circle jigs, but the Lewin Compass (or Rockler equivalent) is what you're looking for.

I do all my cuts (including straightaways) with a router. This thread doesn't show the arcs but shows what I do on the straightaways:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/irishs-main-table-build.58753/

 

[Marhault]

Probably not exactly what you're looking for, but hopefully this helps:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/60”-round-table-build.61376/

There are several folks who have built their own custom large diameter circle jigs, but the Lewin Compass (or Rockler equivalent) is what you're looking for.

I do all my cuts (including straightaways) with a router. This thread doesn't show the arcs but shows what I do on the straightaways:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/irishs-main-table-build.58753/

Thanks man. I know I'm delayed from my original time frame but I'm finally digging into my build in earnest. Ordered everything, buying my wood Thursday. Gonna take my time and do it right. I really wanna build some custom legs like you did so I've gotta research how to do that and make it a little different hopefully.