Everything You Need to Know about Choosing a Ping Pong Table

Have you decided to get into the game of table tennis? Or perhaps you are busy planning your new gaming or home entertainment room and have decided you would like to put a good old fashioned ping pong table in there. Alternatively, you might be considering taking up table tennis as a committed hobby or joining a club and getting yourself a table to practise at home could really help you learn and perfect your game. But, as a beginner, there are a few things you need to know and consider when planning to buy a ping pong table.

We have put together a simple guide of how to choose the right table for you and your needs as well as all the different types of ping pong tables out there, just to help you get started and to ensure you don’t go into buying anything without the right information. So let’s start off with the basics:

HOW TO CHOOSE A PING PONG TABLE

A common misconception would be that all ping pong tables are the same and it is safe to assume at this point that that is simply not the case. Tables will differ in all sorts of ways from size to price to aesthetics. So how do you go about choosing the right table for you? Let’s take a look at some of the questions you should be asking, which will ultimately help you figure out which table tennis table to buy.

1. What size room are you planning to host your table tennis table in? A standard table is measured at 2.74m long, 1.52m wide and 76cm high while the net is 1.83m long and 15.25cm high. These dimensions should make it easy for you to see whether a standard table will fit into your space. Alternatively, there are smaller and more compact tables if you are working with a smaller space but of course, this will not be according to the standard specifications of the game. Another option to consider is the conversion tables, which will be discussed further down in this article.
2. What will the table be used for? This is where you need to identify what you want the table for. Will you be buying a table for your home where you can entertain and play some friendly ping pong games with friends or family? Or will you be buying a table for a more serious commitment such as a club, school or community? Usually, tables which are bought with more serious commitments in mind and which might be used by various different people will need to be a bit sturdier to last longer than one would use at home, which you can take care of. Another question related to this would be how often will this be used?
3. Where will it be during games and storage? This will typically involve deciding or knowing whether you will be playing outdoors or indoors. Understanding this will help you select from the various types available as they can vary with being an indoor or outdoor table.

TYPES OF PING PONG TABLES

Once you have been able to answer the questions above, you will start having a pretty good idea of what type of ping pong tables you should be looking for. In case you still need a bit more information, here is a list of the types of tables there are to consider and you can also read up on some reviews and blogs at Gamequarium.

• Indoor Tables: Most table tennis tables are designed for indoor play due to the harsh weather conditions not always being conducive to the preservation of the materials. It could cause your table to warp and damage sooner than it should. Indoor tables are stable and have a great playing surface to learn on.
• Conversion Tables: These are a great choice for those who don’t have a lot of space to have a standard table taking up the room. These tables essentially consist of the top section, for table tennis, which can slide over a pool table or another suitable table; giving you the playing tabletop you need for a game but also giving you a versatile use.
• Mini Tables: Of course, as it suggests, the mini tables are perfect for children. Whether it is to keep them entertained throughout summer or if they are interested in the game itself. These tables will be compact and of course not as high as standard tables, allowing children to reach and still be able to serve and play comfortably.
• Folding Tables: Once again, these are simply great for those who want an easy solution to a lack of storage space or perhaps even a convenient travelling solution. Usually, the measurements match up with standard specifications but you are able to fold the table over in half, allowing one section to rest on the other. This can make it easier to store or slip the table into the garage or stack it away.
• Playback Tables: These are great for those who want to practise the game and compete against themselves as a single player. The one half of the table is able to be tilted into a vertical position which allows you to serve and have your ball returned back to you without a physical player or opponent on the other side. You can practise your serve and skills on your own time and by yourself, whichever you prefer.

Getting to know the game of ping pong is one thing but ensuring that you are equipped with all the knowledge on how to play, what equipment is needed and of course, as we have discussed – how to choose the right ping pong table. A super fun game to play casually with friends and family as well as a great competitive sport and game to get into.

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