Quick answer: A game of table tennis is played to 11 points, and you must win by two clear points. Each player serves two points in a row, then service switches, until 10-10 when it alternates every point. The serve must be tossed up from an open palm, hit from behind the end of the table, and bounce once on each side.
Plenty of people have played ping pong in a garage or at school without ever learning the actual rules. If you are joining a club, starting a league or just want to settle arguments at home, here is how a proper game works.
Table tennis scoring explained
- A game is played to 11 points.
- You must win by two clear points. At 10-10, play continues until someone leads by two (12-10, 13-11 and so on).
- A point is scored on every rally, whoever served.
- A match is usually the best of three, five or seven games. Club league matches are commonly best of five.
- Players change ends after each game, and in the final deciding game they change ends when the first player reaches 5 points.
Older rules played to 21 with five serves each. You will still see that in casual games, but 11-point games have been the official format for over two decades.
Who serves and when?
Decide who serves first with a coin toss or by guessing which hand the ball is in. Each player then serves two points in a row before service passes to the opponent. Once the score reaches 10-10, service alternates after every point. The player who served first in one game receives first in the next.
Table tennis serve rules
The serve is where casual players most often break the rules. A legal serve must:
- Start with the ball resting on your open, flat palm, held still and visible to your opponent.
- Be tossed almost vertically upwards at least 16cm, without spin from your hand.
- Be struck as it falls, from behind your end line and above the level of the table.
- Bounce once on your side, then once on your opponent's side.
- Not be hidden from the receiver by your body or free arm.
In singles, the serve can land anywhere on the opponent's side. If the ball clips the net on an otherwise good serve, it is a let and is simply replayed, with no limit on how many lets you can serve.
Rules during a rally
- After the serve, you must let the ball bounce once on your side before hitting it back. You cannot volley it.
- Your return must go over or around the net and land on your opponent's side.
- A ball that clips the net or the edge of the table during a rally is still in play. A ball that hits the side of the table below the top edge is out.
- You lose the point if you touch the table with your free hand, or move the table, during a rally.
- Hitting the ball with the hand holding the bat (below the wrist) counts as a legal shot.
Table tennis doubles rules
Doubles uses the same scoring, with a few key differences:
| Rule | Singles | Doubles |
|---|---|---|
| Where the serve lands | Anywhere on the opponent's side | Diagonally, from your right half to their right half |
| Who hits the ball | The same player every shot | Partners must hit alternately |
| Service rotation | Two serves each | Two serves each, rotating through all four players |
| Centre line | Not used | Used to mark the halves for serving |
The order matters: if A serves to X, then X serves to B, then B to Y, then Y to A. Partners take turns hitting the ball in a rally; if the same player hits twice in a row, that pair loses the point.
Equipment you need to play
You need a table with a net, a bat for each player and some 40mm balls. Our table tennis balls range covers everything from practice packs to approved 3-star match balls, and we stock clip-on and retractable table tennis nets for turning any suitable table into a playing surface.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Donic-Schildkroet Alltec Hobby Paddle and Balls Set, £17.50 at time of writing. Two weatherproof bats and three balls in a carry bag.
- Donic-Schildkroet Ping Pong Set, £3.00 at time of writing. A low-cost set for casual games at home.
- Donic-Schildkroet Team Clip-On Table Tennis Net, £17.49 at time of writing. Clips onto a table for quick set-up.
- Fox TT Retractable Table Tennis Net, £8.56 at time of writing. Extends to fit different tables.
- Donic-Schildkroet 3-Star Champion ITTF Balls (3), £3.30 at time of writing. Approved match balls for proper games.
- Donic-Schildkroet Legends 700 FSC Bat, £18.15 at time of writing. A balanced bat for improving players.
FAQs
Do you have to win by 2 in table tennis?
Yes. At 10-10 the game continues until one player is two points ahead.
Can you serve anywhere in table tennis?
In singles, yes, as long as it bounces once on each side. In doubles, the serve must go diagonally from your right-hand half to your opponent's right-hand half.
What happens if the serve hits the net?
If it clips the net and then lands correctly on your opponent's side, it is a let and you serve again. If it hits the net and does not land on their side, you lose the point.
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in table tennis?
No. Unlike tennis, volleying is not allowed. The ball must bounce once on your side first.
Ready to play? Browse our full table tennis collection for bats, balls, nets and sets.
Related guides: How to Choose a Table Tennis Bat: Speed, Spin and Control Explained | Table Tennis Balls Explained: 40+, ABS Plastic and Star Ratings
