Table Tennis Rules

Aim

The aim of the game is simple; hit the ball over the net onto your opponent’s side. A point is won by you if your opponent is unable to return the ball to your side of the table (e.g. they miss the ball, they hit the ball but it misses your side of the table, or the ball hits the net), or if they hit the ball before it bounces on their side of the table.

Winning

The winner of a game is the first to 11 points! However, a game must be won by at least a two-point margin – for example the other player must be on 9 or less. Therefore, if the score is 10-11, play must go on until there is a correct margin of 2 points between players.  

Playing

Each player serves two points in a row and then switch server. However, if a score of 10-10 is reached in any game, then each player should serve only one point and then the server should be switched. The point always goes to the player who successfully ends a rally, regardless of who has served. The ball must pass cleanly over the net – if it ‘clips’ the net and goes over, it is a ‘let’ and the serve should be retaken. If it hits the net and doesn’t go over, the point goes to the other player/team. There are no second serves.

To serve: the ball should first bounce on the server’s side and then the opponent’s side.

Playing singles: A player takes two serves before the ball switches to the opponent to serve, except during periods of extra play where it changes each time. The first person to serve at the start of the game can be determined in many different ways, we’ll leave that up to you to decide!

Playing Doubles: At the start of a game, the serving team will decide which player will serve first. The first player to serve is A1 and;

A1 serves to B1 (2 serves)

B1 then serves to A2 (2 serves)

A2 then serves to B2 (2 serves)

B2 serves to A1 2 serves)

Repeat

Playing again If, another game is played after, the players switch sides of the table before starting again.