How to Build a Good Looking Octagon Poker Table on the Cheap

I play a lot of Poker and wanted to build a poker table for when I host games. After perusing a few forums on designs and seeing the costs of the nicer looking ones, which can be a $500 plus, I went my own route.

While doing my research I noticed that the hardest part to make it look good was the table top/railing. So I decided to buy a pre-built poker table top online and go from there. That 1 step would save me time and what I can only imagine to be a massive amount of frustration.

Before starting you will need to have some basic wood working skills. Nothing complicated but enough to know the difference between a hammer and a saw.

That said let's start!

Step 1: Materials, Cost and Tools

The first thing I bought was a Harley-Davidson 675 Folding Poker Table Top off Amazon for $106 with free shipping using my Prime account. From there I designed the rest of the table around it.

Materials:

$106 - Harley-Davidson 675 Folding Poker Table Top
$10 - 50"x50"x3/4" MDF Board for Table Top
$16 - A set of 2 1/2" x 28" Legs adjustable to 31"
$13 - A Can of Matte Black Spray Paint
$8 - 2 - 8'x3/4" Black Corner Stripping
$7 - 3 - 6'x1"x2 1/4" Boards
$6 - A box of 2" Wood Screws
$5 - Velcro

$171 Total (Not bad)

Tools:

Miter Saw or a Saw with a Miter Jig
Circular Saw or Jig Saw
Drill
Staple Gun
Clamps
Straight Edge or Long Level
Tin Snips or Really Powerful Scissors
Tape Measure
Pencil

Comments

[duggerpato]

What would have worked good too, is to put the legs further toward the center of the table. This way no one has to straddle a table leg. Obviously not too close to the center or it would be easy to tip over. It's a good job. This is one of those "not cheaper but I made it" projects. Happens to me all the time :)

[moconnellus]

I also thought of bringing the legs in closer but as you pointed out stability could become an issue. So a settled on placing them at the edge. It looks cramped but actually I have played a full time multiple times and never had an issue with "Your knee is touching mine!".

Thanks for the comment.

[Chumlee]

lovee the look of it... but wouldnt it be cheaper just to by a poker table???
nice instructable anyway :)

[moconnellus]

Thanks! It could be cheaper but not as fun! Plus I think this is alot more sturdier and better looking than poker tables you could buy for $171.