How to make your own table

I've got more info to add:

Materials:  5/8" or 3/4" MDF as my choice for DIY table top.  Void free plywood seems like it would also work. A 3/4" full sheet of A-grade MDF weighs like 80lbs if I remember.

If you can't custom order a 5'Wx9'L sheet then you can use a 5'Wx4'L sheet and add a 5'Wx0.5'L extension to it and use a good solid brace as a backing by butt jointing the two sections.  (Put the 0.5' extension closest to the net)

I'd probably use wood glue + dowels or biscuits for the joints and then sand it perfectly smooth so it looks like the joint never existed.

Then as "economic" stands, you can construct 4 saw horses so that their height is 30" minus the table thickness.  Use two saw horses per side.  (I found a majority of saw horse plans available on the net make 24" high saw horses.)

For paint, use any Chalkboard paint.  I got Krylon indoor Black chalkboard paint which tested out great and has a nice matte finish when applied with a smooth 12" paint roller.

I would use masking tape and PAINT the white lines on the table top.

It would also be cool to add rubber non-slip grips on the saw horses and factor that into the actual height of the table.

For storage, the saw horses are stackable and multi-functional, and the table tops can be layed against a wall stored vertical.

My estimate:

2 sheets of 5/8" or 3/4" MDF = $40-50

Lumber for 4 saw horses = $40

Paint and roller = $20

Treated Wood Screws for saw horses = $10

I'd say the project budget should be about $120 USD and maybe 20 hours of labor...

What's interesting is you'll get a better bounce with the MDF table than most $200-300 tables made with thin particle board...  You can also make the DIY table weatherproof by sealing the wood, or get hardcore by laminating the table top with a sheet of metal.  heh

The ones used in the dormitories back when I was in college 15 years ago had a formica (counter top material) for the top.  The ball skidded a lot!  Then we had a really nice one in our Physics Dept.  (Funny how back then we had a German, Iranian, and a very gifted Chinese guy, and myself (among others).  The Chinese guy said I kept reminding him about the Swedish team from the way I looked and style of play. 

Back to the formica thing:  that was a weird experience.  Have you guys played on a top like that? 

If the budget is 120 USD I would say it's worth it. A table with those specifications run around 400 at cheapest i've seen. but i know nothing of carpentry and i'm so poor i couldn't even afford the 120 right now.