Check if table exists in SQL Server

Question

I would like this to be the ultimate discussion on how to check if a table exists in SQL Server 2000/2005 using SQL Statements.

When you Google for the answer, you g

Answer 1

I know it is an old question but I have found this possibility if you plan to call it often.

create procedure Table_Exists
@tbl varchar(50)
as
return (select count(*) from sysobjects where type = 'U' and name = @tbl)
go