I play cards with a bunch of mates every month, the last time being last Saturday night. I'll give you some observations.
We usually play on a dining room table, which in this case was big enough, seating 8. He'd upgraded the crappy plastic cover that we've been using for the last 15 years to something like felt. That was a big plus. But it was just thrown over, like a tablecloth, so bunched up and moved, got wrinkles etc. So, first thought is the felt needs to be fixed and nice and tight.
When the deal went to someone at the ends of the sides it was near impossible to deal the cards to the player. So, round or octagonal would be better. Mounted on a round, single leg would be ideal, hard to get stability, I know.
We don't play for serious money - just 30c bets (that gets big enough if you're playing a game where there's a kitty
or there are a series of raises
) but that means you have change in front of you that constantly needs to be organised. So, next suggestion is somewhere to keep your float - change trays that will hold maybe $20, or something like that so you can keep all similar coins together, not in a series of little stacks that keep getting knocked over. Somewhere to put your reserve funds.
Drinks. Should not be on the table itself, ideally. As with ashtrays (not really much of an issue these days).
Height. I think that a card table should be a little lower than, say, a dining table. Not much, but more like desk height.
Watching with interest.