Ping Pong Rules Refresher

Master the Official Table Tennis Rules

Equipment

Table: 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, 30 inches high
Net: 6 inches high, extends 6 inches beyond table on each side
Ball: 40mm diameter, weighs 2.7 grams, white or orange
Paddle: No size restrictions, must be dark on one side and bright on the other

Match Format

A match typically consists of the best of 5 or 7 games. The first player to win 3 games (in best of 5) or 4 games (in best of 7) wins the match. Each game is played to 11 points, and a player must win by at least 2 points.

Did You Know?

Table tennis is one of the fastest racquet sports in the world, with the ball reaching speeds of over 70 mph during professional matches!

Starting the Game

Coin toss or rally determines who serves first
Winner can choose to serve, receive, or pick which end to start
Players switch ends after each game
In the deciding game of a match, players switch ends when one reaches 5 points

Basic Serving Rules

Ball must be thrown at least 6 inches (16cm) straight up from a flat palm
Ball must be struck as it descends, behind the end line
Ball must bounce once on your side, then once on opponent’s side
Service must be visible to opponent and umpire at all times
Ball must be held in open palm and stationary before toss

Service Rotation

Each player serves for 2 consecutive points
Service alternates between players every 2 points
At 10-10 (deuce), service alternates every 1 point
In doubles, service rotates: Server → Diagonal receiver, then switches

Common Service Faults

The serve is a let (replayed) if the ball touches the net but lands correctly. It’s a fault if you: hide the ball during service, don’t toss it high enough, strike it on the way up, or it doesn’t bounce on both sides correctly.

Doubles Serving

Ball must bounce in server’s right court, cross to receiver’s right court
Service order is established at start and maintained throughout game
After 2 points, the receiver becomes the server
The server’s partner becomes the new receiver

Point System

Games are played to 11 points (previously 21)
Must win by at least 2 points
At 10-10, play continues until one player leads by 2
Every serve results in a point (rally point scoring)

How Points Are Scored

You win a point when your opponent:

Fails to make a good service
Fails to make a good return
Hits the ball before it bounces on their side
Hits the ball off the table without it bouncing on your side
Touches the ball twice in succession
Moves the table or touches the net during play
Uses a hand not holding the paddle to touch the table

Match Scoring

Best of 5 matches: First to 3 games wins
Best of 7 matches: First to 4 games wins
Olympic and World Championship finals are typically best of 7.

Legal Shots

Ball must bounce on your side of table once before you hit it
You may hit the ball on the rise or after it peaks
Ball can touch the table edge and is still in play
If ball hits the side of the table, point goes to your opponent

Let Situations (Replay Point)

Ball touches net during service but lands correctly
Receiver is not ready (at umpire’s discretion)
Play is disturbed by factors outside players’ control
Umpire needs to make a decision or correct an error

Prohibited Actions

Touching the table with your free hand during a point
Moving the table during play
Hitting the ball twice in succession
Volleying the ball (hitting before it bounces)
Touching the net or net assembly during a point
Hiding the ball during service

Edge Balls

If the ball hits the top edge of the table (the white line), it’s considered in play and counts as a legal shot. However, if it hits the side of the table, it’s out of bounds.

Expedite System

If a game is unfinished after 10 minutes of play (or requested by both players), the expedite system is introduced:

Service alternates every point
Receiver wins the point if they make 13 successful returns
Remains in effect for rest of match

Points to Win

Win By

Service Rotation

Ball Diameter

40mm

Net Height

6″

Service Toss

6″

Quick Rule Reminders

Service: Toss 6″ up, hit on descent, bounce both sides
Scoring: Every rally scores a point, first to 11 wins
Rotation: Serve 2 points, then opponent serves 2
Deuce: At 10-10, alternate service every point
Edge Ball: Top edge = in, side = out
Let Serve: Ball touches net but lands correctly = replay
Doubles: Ball must bounce diagonally, right to right
Switching Ends: After each game, and at 5 in deciding game

Tournament Format

Best of 5: First to win 3 games (recreational/club level)
Best of 7: First to win 4 games (professional/championship level)