Forumer CacyC organized a ping pong league this fall at a local bar.  I made this video on Wednesday:

 

LOL  That could so be our family room!

There aren't any pillars in that room, unlike most basements.  We had pretty elaborate house rules since our ping pong table was wedged between a pole and a wall, with at most a 12" clearance on each side.  You were allowed to hit off the wall and balls that hit the table and back onto the table were still live.  The vent that hung over the table was still live too. 

 

The thing about this game when you're a kid is eventually someone steps on each of the ping pong balls, and you have to beg mom to buy new ones.  This could postpone games for months. Less often a paddle handle would break, and then everyone would want to play with the new one. 

 

There aren't any pillars in that room, unlike most basements.  We had pretty elaborate house rules since our ping pong table was wedged between a pole and a wall, with at most a 12" clearance on each side.  You were allowed to hit off the wall and balls that hit the table and back onto the table were still live.  The vent that hung over the table was still live too. 

 

The thing about this game when you're a kid is eventually someone steps on each of the ping pong balls, and you have to beg mom to buy new ones.  This could postpone games for months. Less often a paddle handle would break, and then everyone would want to play with the new one. 

 

12" of clearance!  Well damn.  You can even get a good volley in with that!  This has encouraged me to move the pool table to the basement and let the pingpong table down.

I think ping pong is poised for a big comeback.  That and foam dancing. 

I looove "table tennis".  I've reached the point where I am ready to buy either ping pong or a pool table for my basement.

I looove "table tennis".  I've reached the point where I am ready to buy either ping pong or a pool table for my basement.

 

That sounds so snooty. "table tennis". What else do you say? "Care-uh-mel?"  :-P

Well I said "table tennis" because technically ping pong is a copyrighted term. ;)

 

It's like those old fogies who say "can you hoover the floor" or "make a xerox of that for me"

 

And I say Car-Mel, like the city in California.

What a great thread.  I used to be pretty good, but now I haven't played more than a couple times in the last 8 years.  It's be fun to get back into it, but I don't have room for a table at my house.

 

Ping-pong is way more fun than pool, IMO.  The only problem is that it's much harder (and much less fun) to practice by yourself or with someone not as good as you.

Well I said "table tennis" because technically ping pong is a copyrighted term. ;)

 

It's like those old fogies who say "can you hoover the floor" or "make a xerox of that for me"

 

And I say Car-Mel, like the city in California.

 

I'm just messing with you. I didn't know Ping Pong was a brand.

Originally, it was "gasima" and "wiff waff." Ping Pong is a copyrighted trademark now owned by Escalade Sports and Sears. So as not to infringe on that trademark, it is known as the sport of table tennis.

Ping-pong is way more fun than pool, IMO.  The only problem is that it's much harder (and much less fun) to practice by yourself or with someone not as good as you.

Ping Pong is way more fun than pool!

 

The only problem is that it's much harder (and much less fun) to practice by yourself or with someone not as good as you.

Unless you are a part of a big extended family!  LOL

Ping Pong is way more fun than pool!

 

Hey I learned everything about making money from watching Paul Newman play nine ball in The Color of Money.

 

Ping Pong is fantastic fun, but a little too Forrest Gumpy at times.

Unless you are a part of a big extended family! LOL

 

My brother and I used to play all the time.  Now, though, I have noone to play and no table to play on.

Ping Pong is fantastic fun, but a little too Forrest Gumpy at times.

 

The only thing better about pool is that you can drink and play pool at the same time.

Great video jake.