Table Tennis Rules

• The winner of a match is the one who wins the first THREE or FOUR games (according to the competition)
• A game consists of 11 points
• There must be a gap of at least two points between opponents
• If the score is 10-10, the game goes in to extra play until one of the players has gained a lead of 2 points
• The point goes to the player who successfully ends a rally
• The score of the server is always announced first

A player scores a point when his opponent commits one of the following errors:

• He isn't able to return the ball.
• He returns the ball outside the opposite side of the table.
• He lets the ball bounce more than once in his own court before returning it.
• He touches the ball several times successively.
• He strikes the ball in volley (without it bouncing on the table) above his side of the table.
• He moves the table during play.
• He touches the net or a post.
• His free hand touches the table.
• He makes a bad service (see service)

• If the ball touches the table surface, it is declared in
• If it touches the side of the table, it is declared out
• A player is not allowed to strike the ball in volley, unless the opponent's ball leaves the table and I strike the ball in volley behind the table, in which case the point would be given to me.

The initial order of serving is decided by lot. Service changes every 2 points, except during periods of extra play where it changes each time. Service must adhere to the following rules :

• The ball rests freely on the open palm of the hand.
• The hand holding the ball must be above the level of the table.
• The ball should be projected upwards (at least 16 cm)
• The ball should be struck when it is falling and behind the table.
• The ball should first bounce in one's court, then in the opponent's court.
• Service can be diagonal and also in a straight line in singles
• Service can be replayed when :
• The ball touches the net or its supporting posts before touching the opponent's court (''let'' service)
• The ball touches the net then is struck in volley by the opponent without it touching his court.
• The receiver was not ready at the time of service.

Service must be diagonal, from the right half court (marked by a white line) to the opponent's right half court After that, play can cover the whole table, but each partner must take his turn.

• A1 serves to B1 (2 services),
• B1 then serves to A2 (2 services),
• A2 then serves to B2 ,
• B2 serves to A1 and continuing in this way for every 2 services. Following service, each player takes turns to return the ball.
  In addition to the aforementioned cases in singles, a doubles team scores a point when its doubles opponents make one of the following errors :
• At service, the player lets the ball bounce on the left half court, on either side of the court.
• A player strikes the ball when it is not his turn.
• Obstruction is not an acceptable claim for players of the same doubles team.