Ping pong table help?

[Conundrum]

I'm going to buy a ping pong table for my buddy for a wedding gift today. I'm thinking $150-200 should get the job done. Anything I should look for? Can I get away with less or should I pop for a nicer one? The local Big 5 has one on sale for $99 but it looked chincy. Most tables I saw online didn't include paddles or balls.

I don't think he knows about Beirut but I'm sure he'll learn.

[schuss]

best tables are slate, and worth the coin.

[mc_roon]

best tables are slate, and worth the coin.

slate? i dont think that ive ever seen a slate ping-pong table.

[skiHOG]

whoa whoa, ping pong table? more like this...

[mc_roon]

whoa whoa, ping pong table? more like this...

http://unclet.arcadecontrols.com/Foo...1-Foosball.jpg

i own a ping-pong table and a foosball table. The ping pong table gets used a lot more, and probably 10x when you factor in beruit. Beruit is key.

EDIT: what an uneventful way to hit 500

[skiHOG]

i own a ping-pong table and a foosball table. The ping pong table gets used a lot more, and probably 10x when you factor in beruit. Beruit is key.

EDIT: what an uneventful way to hit 500

not around my parts. i have a tornado table, and for a while had it over at my friends, who has a ping pong table. the foos table got all the respectable attention. you had no credibility of any kind unless you could prove it on the "the table."

[Steven S. Dallas]

Go clay- sure, the tiny brooms and stuff are expensive, but it's classy as hell and really ties the room together.

[RootSkier]

Plus, headfirst diving shots are a lot more fun when you know that your nipples won't be torn off.

edit: Why does that foosball table have three goalies? That is dumb.