FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many tables do you have?
A: We own seven high quality tables. And four serviceable tables.
Q: Are you open tonight?
A: Maybe. What night is it? See the first page of the website or Facebook page for the current schedule, or check our email list or TeamReach feed (group code TTBUFF) for last minute changes.
Q: Is there anyplace to play on weekends?
A: There is no club that meets on weekends in the Buffalo area, of which we're aware.
Q: If it's not being too commercial, can I sell some of my old equipment on your email list?
A: Why not? Just email us the equipment description with the asking price, and we'll send out a broadcast email with their contact info, so we don't have any unnecessary intermediary communication with the buyer and seller. It's actually a good idea, as some people have this decent equipment that just collects dust because they don't play anymore, so it would be a good way to reuse it, instead of dumping it in the landfill.
Q: Where else is there to play in Western New York?
A: Your basement. Other than that, we're the only club in town open to the general public, as far as we know.
Q: Do you have tournaments?
Occasional high stakes tournaments, sometimes with prize money exceeding $10. There are no set dates, however. Subscribe to the email list or check TeamReach.
Q: Do I need to bring my own paddle?
A: Bring a paddle if you have one, but we usually have a couple loaner paddles, or someone could probably lend you a spare. Don't go and buy one at the sporting good stores because they are inferior, unless you really want to have one right away. A decent paddle can be purchased starting around $50 and is much better than anything that can be bought locally. Talk to some of your fellow players at the club for recommendations. The good news, however, is that you don't have to bring your own table.
Q: How many people usually show up?
A: We've had as many as 30 people and as few as 4. Most of the time, about 12-15.
Q: Can I come myself, or do I need to bring a friend to play with? How do I find someone to play with?
A: Either is fine. Usually, we just switch around as people finish playing matches or you could call winners on a table.
Q: What are the skill levels/experience of the members?
A: We have people who are just starting to play at a club for the first time, all the way to people who have been playing for years or their whole lives...so beginners all the way up to those who have gotten pretty darn good. Most of the time, there is a variety of skill levels on display, so there should be someone to have a close match with.
Q: How old are majority of the members?
A: We have a large range of ages as well, from aspiring 12 to 80+ year olds. The large majority of regulars are male. To go a little further along that line, the membership is pretty much just ordinary folks with mortgages, kids who won’t work, and ex-spouses who’d like us dead, just like everyone else. The only oddity is that we like to kill two nights a week smacking a little plastic ball, which isn't all that unusual.
Q: Is there air conditioning?
A: Yes. It's a little noisy, but it works. Sadly, it's placed way too high in the gym to credibly claim that a current from the air conditioner is what caused you to send your serve off the table.
Q: Who is Peng Pang?
A: Peng Pang is not, if it isn’t obvious, a real person, but is rather a pseudonym that was created when the club Gmail account was initiated, because a name was required. Most of the club announcements are composed by either Greg Gennuso or Cliff Falk. The rest are either forwarded tournament announcements or miscellaneous guest contributions. Peng has three email rules, which are loosely followed, to wit: 1. Every email should have something to do with table tennis. 2. Personal pronouns should be kept to a maximum of zero. 3. Emails by Greg or Cliff to lone individuals should be sent from a personal email account, in order to clog up Greg or Cliff’s sent boxes & inboxes, instead of those of the club account. Rule 3a is to try to keep individual communication to a minimum, so as to avoid the impression that Greg or Cliff are switching email accounts for individuals because they are creepy stalkers, which is pretty much never true of ping pong people, as opposed to, say, the average chess club, where a quick glance at the membership will make you think you stumbled into a Norman Bates lookalike contest.
Q: How much to play?
A: No charge. Full refund if not satisfied.
Q: How do I improve my serve return? / What blade & rubber should I use?
A: The reason these questions are combined is that the three regulars who have the best classical form when playing are also the three guys who know the most about equipment, i.e. Rich Roman, Frank Tang, & Greg Gennuso. Each is very friendly & approachable, even following a loss. Usually. Talk to any of those guys about issues of technique &/or equipment.