The Rules of Table Tennis

Everything you need to play a proper game — scoring, service, the rules of play and doubles — explained clearly and ready to print.

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How a match is won

Adding up the points

1
The winner of a match is the one who wins the first THREE or FOUR games (according to the competition)
2
A game consists of 11 points
3
There must be a gap of at least two points between opponents
4
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
5
The point goes to the player who successfully ends a rally
6
The score of the server is always announced first

Try it — first to 11, win by 2

Player A

Player B

First to 11, win by 2

Winning a point

Scoring

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)

In, out & volleys

Rules of the game:

InIf the ball touches the table surface, it is declared in

OutIf it touches the side of the table, it is declared out

VolleyA 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.

Diagram showing a table tennis ball landing ‘in’ on the table surface versus clipping the ‘out’ side edge

How to serve correctly

Service

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.

Player tossing the ball from an open palm above the table to perform a legal serve

Playing as a pair

Doubles

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.

Service changeover in Doubles:

A1B1

A1 serves to B1 (2 services),

B1A2

B1 then serves to A2 (2 services),

A2B2

A2 then serves to B2 ,

B2A1

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.