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Read about the World's Best Poker Table in the news: Search for ideal poker table leads him home Hockessin man builds his own and writes book about how to By GERALDINE ELTER, Special to The News Journal HOCKESSIN -- He used to use the dining room table, a card table or a table from a grocery store. Now, poker fan Tom Madden owns a proper poker table that he designed and built himself. "I'm pretty handy and always wanted to build one but didn't. With the poker craze, I thought it was time," he said. It wasn't easy getting help to build a table. Madden said one of his buddies gave up because plans he found were too vague or too complicated. Madden found the same thing when he looked on the Internet. The handrail on the top of the table was the big issue. "They made it so complicated -- you had to cut like 20 pieces. They couldn't explain properly, and the pictures weren't clear." "I know there's a way I can do this easier," Madden told himself, and he did. The end result is "How to Build the World's Best Poker Table," a 47-page manual that runs from purchasing supplies to finishing the table and even having a poker party. Why is it the "world's best poker table?" Here's what he says on his Web site: "A lot of time was spent finding the best materials for this poker table. I have found the best felt, best vinyl and best foams to be used for our poker table. I have also come up with, in my opinion, the world's best plans to construct this table. They are easy to follow and easy to perform." How did a budding author line up top suppliers? It's who you know. The Bellagio in Las Vegas is one of Madden's clients in his lubrication business. Folks at the hotel gave him ideas, Madden said, and he followed up with Internet research and requests for samples. Doug Gelbert, a Valley Forge, Pa., resident, who owns Cruden Bay Books in Montchanin, agreed to publish the how-to book. "There are no similar books among the more than two million titles on Amazon or in Books in Print," he said, adding that it's on an on-demand basis. "Instead of printing large quantities of a title and carrying inventory, the books are printed one at a time only when orders are in hand." He added, "He's not a polished writer, but his enthusiasm for the project and his topic comes through in his words. For this type of book, it is always preferable to have a passionate amateur author than a professional, yet detached, wordsmith." Marq Harrison incorporates Madden's book into his business. The Tennessee resident owns poker-wear.com and sells the book on his Web site. "This is the first physical book that I have seen. ... There are electronic versions available. I thought it was very informative." Plus Madden's take on the poker party experience "is great info for someone just starting out with a poker table and poker night," he concluded. Madden, 45, has been playing poker since his high school days. He used to play games like Five-Card Stud and Five-Card Draw but now exclusively plays Texas Hold'em. "It involves skill and luck at the same time. It's a different type of adrenaline rush." His parties are a mix of high school buddies, parents from his kids' schools and neighbors. Most players are male. Madden has made two tables: one that is now in his basement and another for his frustrated friend. The entire Madden family helps Tom get ready for his poker nights, and the family sometimes plays poker together on its table. PROFILE Tom Madden AGE: 45 RESIDENCE: Hockessin EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in business, Widener University IN THE NEWS: Author of "How to Build the World's Best Poker Table," (Cruden Bay Books, 2006) available from www.worldsbestpokertable.com (it's $12.45, including shipping), www.amazon.com or poker-wear.com OCCUPATION: Owner of TAI Lubricants, the North American distributor for Nye Lubricants FAMILY: Wife Jennifer; daughter Kim, 15; and son Nick, 12 HOBBIES: Golf, poker and family travel |
