Folding gaming tabletop

Abstract

A gaming tabletop facilitates home play of casino-type games. The tabletop is divided into two sections. In a first position, when located on an elevated support surface such as a table, the first and second sections cooperate to define first and second generally planar playing surfaces. The playing surfaces are covered with material, such as felt. One or more of the playing surfaces includes game play symbols, such as betting lines. The tabletop includes chip and drink trays. The trays are removable can be mounted for use with either surface of the tabletop. In a second position, the first and second sections can be stacked upon one another so that the tabletop can be stowed or stored in a configuration of minimal dimension.

1 . A gaming tabletop comprising: 
 a tabletop defining a generally planar top playing surface and a generally planar bottom playing surface, said surfaces of said tabletop covered with a playing surface material, said material covering at least one of said surface including game play markings, said tabletop including a plurality of openings therein from said first surface to said second surface; and    a tray for location in each of said openings, each tray including at least one depression for accepting a plurality of chips therein and at least one generally circular depression for accepting the base of a drink container therein, each tray configured to be located in an opening of said tabletop so that said depression face upwardly towards said first surface and to be removed and located in an opening of said tabletop so that said depressions face upwardly towards said second surface.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said gaming tabletop is generally rectangular in shape, having two sides, two ends and four corners, and wherein said gaming tabletop includes eight player stations, each station having at least one opening and a tray associated therewith.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 2  wherein four of said player stations are located along said sides and four of said player stations are located at said corners of said tabletop.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said trays at said player stations along said sides are generally rectangular in shape and said trays at said player station at said corners are non-linear in shape.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said trays are selectively connectable to said tabletop.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 5  wherein each tray includes at least one pin which is movable between an extended position for engaging the tabletop and a retracted position in which said tray may be removed from said tabletop.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said material comprises felt.  
   
   
       8 . A gaming tabletop comprising: 
 a tabletop configured to be positioned on an elevated support surface, said tabletop comprising a first section and a second section, said sections in a first position forming a first generally planar playing surface and a second generally planar playing surface, said first and second sections having generally the same shape and dimensions, said first and second sections connected to one another and movable to a second position in which said sections are stacked upon one another, reducing the size of said tabletop when stowed or stored, said first generally planar playing surface and said second generally planar playing surface covered by a playing surface material, at least the material of one of said surfaces including game markings thereon, and including a plurality of trays located in said tabletop.    
   
   
       9 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said tabletop is generally rectangular in shape when said first and second sections are in said first position, said tabletop having a first end and a second end, said first and second sections comprising half of said tabletop between said first and second ends.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said first and second sections are joined by at least one hinge.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said material comprises felt.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said trays are removable from said tabletop.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming tabletop in accordance with  claim 12  wherein one or more of said trays are removable from said tabletop.