Ping Pong Rules

The idea of slapping a small ball across a table over a net has been around for a while. The game used to go by the name Ping Pong, but in 1922, it got a new name and started going by Table Tennis. 

Later in 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation was established. Since then, ping pong rules and the game itself have changed. Today, ping pong is one of the most popular games in the world and has been a part of the Summer Olympics for several years. Here is a detailed history of the game if you wish to dig around some more.

But if you want to learn how to play a decent game of Ping Pong, well, today is your lucky day. 

Goal

The goal of the game is to hit the ball over the net to the opponent’s side. The players hit the ball in various moves aimed to make the opponent miss the ball. This is the key method to score a point. 

You also score a point if:

• Your opponent hits the ball before it has bounced on their side of the table.
• Your opponent’s ball hits the net.
• Your opponent hits the ball but it misses your side of the table.
• Your opponent misses the ball.
• Your opponent’s free hand touches the table.

Scoring

A game is played to 11 points and must be won by two points. However, a game could be tied at 10–10. This is called a “deuce” game. In such a situation, a player must win by scoring two points, while each playing a serve (alternately).

However, this system wasn't always standard. In 2001, the International Table Tennis Federation changed the game scoring system to an 11-point game from the 21-point game it used to be. This means that the 11 points system is a fairly recent development (especially in the context of the 90+ years that organized soccer has existed). 

When it comes to service, each player has to serve two (alternate) serves. In competitions, the best of 5 or best of 7 games are played. In these games, the player who wins the majority of rounds wins. 

But in a casual setting, any number of games can be played. This number is agreed upon before the game starts.

Basic Serving Rules

The ball should bounce on your side first and then on the opponent player’s side. The opponent player must return the ball only after it hits their side of the table. If a player hits a ball before it has bounced on their side of the table, it is known as a “volley” and results in the loss of a point.

The ball should go over the net cleanly. It will be a “let” in case the ball clips the net and goes over. This rule is only applicable when serving. If a “let” happens, then the players have to redo the serve. 

However, if the ball hits the net and does not go over, then the opponent player automatically scores a point.

No second serves are allowed.

How to Make a Serve:

• Place the ball in your open palm. 
• Toss the ball vertically, about 6 inches.
• Strike the ball as it comes down.
• The ball should hit your side of the table first.
• Then the ball should hit your opponent’s side of the table.

If you’re still a bit confused and at a loss, it may help to learn from watching a few videos on how to deliver a good serve.

Serving Rules for Singles

A player is allowed two serves before the ball is switched. Then the opponent plays two serves. This rule has an exception when the game goes into extra play. During extra play, both players get a single-serve alternatively until one of them scores and wins the game. 

In singles games, the service can be straight or diagonal. The serving player is also allowed to serve any part of their opponent’s side of the table.

Which player will serve at the beginning can be decided in various ways. But in a competition, a coin toss is used. The winner of the coin toss can decide whether they want to serve the ball or receive it. The winner also gets to decide which side of the table they want to play on. 

If you’re playing with friends, it is entirely up to you to decide how you wish to choose the serving player and the side of the table.

Serving Rules for Doubles

In all doubles games, the service has to be diagonal. The ball is served from the right half court of the serving player to the right half court of the opponent’s side. The right half-court is usually marked by a white line.

The players switch places in a doubles game when they have served twice.

Doubles games also have some specific key rules when serving:

• The serving team players are A1 and A2.
• The player to make the first serve is A1.
• The serving team becomes Team A and the other team becomes Team B.
• In the first serve, player A1 makes the serve (twice) to B1. 
• B1 then makes the serve (twice) to A2.
• A2 then makes the serve (twice) to B2.

Team B gets to make the first serve at the end of the first game as well as at the beginning of the second game. A similar serving routine is followed starting with player B1. So the game goes B1 to A1, A1 to B2, and B2 to A2. This must be followed regardless of whose side of the table the ball hits.

This routine of alternate serving helps avoid confusion between the players.

Equipment

A tennis ball is ideally 40mm+ plastic. The net of a tennis table is 6 inches in height and the tennis table 9 ft in length, 5ft in width, and 2.5ft in height.

Surprisingly, a table tennis paddle can be of any size, shape, and weight. Even for tournaments.

Did you know that the official term for a table tennis paddle is different in different geographies? The object used to hit the ball becomes a “paddle” in the US and a “bat” in Asia and Europe. The official term, however, is “racket” as mentioned by the International Table Tennis Federation.

Find more information on table tennis paddles with our helpful buying guide.

Conclusion

A round of ping pong with friends and family doesn’t have to follow all these rigid rules. After all, you are free to make up whatever rules you want to spice up the game. The International Table Tennis Federation won't be looking, so you can play it however you want. 

What rules do you make up? Tell us in the comments below.

You may also find free training from online courses on TableTennisUniversity.com

Got some more questions? This article can help you find some answers.