Tag Archives: cloth
Different types of poker table
A poker table is a table specially designed for playing cards- usually poker. It is covered with a soft material or a smooth fabric that allows cards to glide smoothly. It is either an actual table or a portable top that can be fixed and removed as need be. Usually the edge of the table is raised to allow players to keep their hand on it. This is called the rail. A poker table can be made of different materials like wood, plastic, metal etc. Various types of clothing and fabric are used as the covering cloth or felt. Usually the fabric used for table tops are casino print cloth, velveteen, speed cloth or billiards cloth.
The tables come in different shapes as well. Some passionate poker players believe in creating their own tables while some others get customized or ready-made tables from the makers. Poker tables used for tournaments are bigger and sturdier. They sometimes come with foldable and detachable legs. Usually very good quality material is used for the construction of poker tables for casinos since they have to endure the 24×7 environment there.
Casinos generally have accessories like card shuffling machines along with the poker tables. This machine is very useful at casinos since it can get several thousands more hands per month, and this amounts to greater profits and revenue for them, making them very popular at casinos. Drop boxes and clip sets are also commonly found accessories with poker tables at casinos. The felt used for these tables are also of a very high quality at casinos, they are usually high quality nylon, and recently good quality polyester has started being used. The felt is chosen to ensure smooth gliding of cards at the correct speed that is neither too fast nor too slow.
Poker table layouts are also of primary importance when they are to be used at casinos. They need to be printed in the right colors to allow a clear view of chips while playing. Logo graphics need to be chosen carefully so that casino cameras can detect the difference between a printed logo and a chip. In case they are similar in print and color, a lot of confusion may occur.
Company logo, family name initials, photos and other things can be used as logo and can be installed on the layout as a part of the customization process. For all those trying to do it within a budget can follow a simple method of customization. Changing the felt of the poker table and giving it a different color can change the look completely and make it seem new. This would give a long enduring last to the poker table top as well.
How to Build a Poker Table
Building a poker table on your own might sound daunting but is actually a very easy task. Some tools are definitely needed but not too uncommon ones. It can cost as little as 200 dollars. The first thing that one needs to do is to decide on the design and size of the table, one needs to take into consideration the decor of the room in which the table is supposed to be placed.
The basic tools that would be needed are
1. A battery charged jigsaw
2. A power drill
3. Sand paper; file etc
4. A measuring tape and
5. Staples.
The jigsaw is needed for cutting. The drill with a screwdriver attachment would be needed for screwing. Sand paper would be needed to smoothen rough edges. Measuring tape to ensure one has the dimensions right and a staple gun for the few hundreds of staple that would be required.
For the table primarily wood or ply is needed. This wooden sheet or ply would be covered by vinyl and felt so even if it has a coarse finish it is not a problem. There are a number of different materials that can be used as the surface like felt, velveteen, billiard cloth, velvet, casino cloth, suede to name a few. The most popular railing cover is the faux leather vinyl. This vinyl is not too expensive and has a good feel. Foam would be needed for the padding. A couple of cans of strong adhesive would also be required. Some paint and screws would also be required.
The first thing to do is to measure and cut the ply according to the required measurements. Having cut the wood the foam has to be sprayed with adhesive and stuck to the wood. Once the foam is in place the actually playing surface material has to be fixed upon it. For this the wooden piece is to be placed on the cloth, while the good surface of the cloth is placed on the floor. Now the cloth has to be folded from three sides on the table top and stapled. One side should be allowed to be loose, initially which can be pulled and made tight and smooth properly before stapling the fourth side. Next in line is the table leg which is the trickiest part for all those who dont have any prior experience in carpentry usually fix ready made folding legs to their tables. Thus one can have his very own poker table hand-built in just two days.