Was told this was a poker table

Poker table? by Vince Monta posted Aug 17, 2019 at 11:28 AM

Could anyone help me identify what kind of table this really is and how old it might be? My brother refinished this about 18 years ago and now i have inherited it. I appreciate the help.

 

Welcome, Vince! I think you are right to question the "poker table" idea, but figuring out what it really was will involve some questions and perhaps more pictures.

Are those dark areas on the sides openings or painted on? Can we see pics of construction details - how the legs are attached?

 

If those are openings on the sides, I would not even play draughts on that table let alone poker........................what need a hidey-hole if playing on the up and up?

 

das a poker table.........

 

If you click on the photo they really look like openings. Not good for a fair game of anything.

 

In my house, this is the poker table :

 

in Mom's house that was a bridge table...

or MaJong

 

Yeah, I really doubt poker or any betting game. Odd seeing those holes like that, never seen anything similar.
Setting aside those openings, the table base is Sheraton style and could be period, the top is oak and does not look original to table base, replaced top i suspect.
Where are you & table located in the world?

 

Jivvy, y'all use your Children's Dinner Table for cards?

 

It is a nice table, I guess I can't see four old burly cigar chumping guys sitting around it, there no room for the whiskey glasses!

 

ahem. Assumption of children not in evidence.

 

more like a study table with a place to hold books...

 

Is there any evidence that it might have had drawers?

 

it reminds me of those small "pool" or snooker tables designed for the basement rumpus rooms of the 1960s. Of course I refer to the access areas on the sides - it would obviously be a replaced top.

 

Yeah i thought about that but, wouldn't the drawers bump into one another?
Another thought was, table base was modified for some reason, school or office use perhaps?

 

Agrees, Need more pics for sure, location might help as well.

 

Have always heard these called game tables. Never really knew for what game exactly. The cubbies are to store your belongings, cigarettes, a drink, etc. ….. To keep the top free from clutter and spills.

 

Weird, hopefully they don't put ashtrays down there and catch the house on fire!
I am guessing this is a furniture oddity that never caught on, i have never seen one before.

 

Have seen many of these over the years. Just recently had one very similar to this one in the store.

 

Hmmm, double weird. New one on me, that's for sure.

Yeah, what game is the question? I could see maybe a 2 player game like chess/checkers but this table is not square & has unequal sides, ditto cubby holes.
If i was playing a game at this table, first thing we must sort out is, who is getting the short end of table & smaller cubby hole? cuz it ain't gonna be me!