Rules of Table Tennis
Are you looking for the official rules of table tennis or just the basic rules? Well, I've got them both covered here.  The official table tennis rules (see why they're not called ping pong rules) - like most other sports - are a comprehensive set of rules and regulations designed to cover any eventuality which may arise during a game.
These official rules are reviewed every two years by The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) - but if you're a beginner you only need to know a few of the official rules in order to play a game with your friends. The rules of table tennis are the same for amateurs and professionals alike, and the basic rules are very simple to learn. However, it may help if you know your table tennis terminology, so I've also put together a table tennis glossary for you. OK, let's start with the most basic rule of table tennis. Is a game ...  Up to 11 points or 21 points?
Until 2001 a table tennis game was played up to 21 points. But in order to make the game more exciting, have more "crucial" points, and make it more appealing to television viewers, the rules of table tennis were changed. A game of table tennis is now played up to 11 points. The winner is the player or pair who first scores 11 points, unless both players or pairs score 10 points (called deuce). Then a game will be won by the first player or pair to gain a two point lead.
So how do I ...
Start a game Before you start a game, you'll need to decide who's going to serve first. If you're just playing a game with friends, you can use whatever method you like to decide this, but the official rules of table tennis say that you should toss a coin. However, the most common method is to hide the ball in one hand, put both your hands under the table, and then ask your opponent to guess which hand the ball is in. Although the winner of this usually serves first, he does actually have three choices ... The winner can: If the winner chooses a particular end of the table, his opponent then has the choice of whether to serve first or to make his opponent serve first. If the winner chooses to serve first, his opponent then has the choice of which end of the table he prefers to play at first.
So what do I need to know about the ...
Basic table tennis serve The rules of table tennis have been changed many times in recent years in relation to the service law, but for a casual game of table tennis it remains very simple. The server must stand behind the end of the table to serve. The basic serve involves holding the ball in the palm of your non-playing hand and throwing it upwards. As the ball is falling, you must hit it with your racket (also known as a paddle or bat) in your playing hand so that it bounces on the table once on each side of the net. The ball may bounce anywhere on both sides of the table and unlike tennis, you don't have to serve to one part of the table - unless you're playing doubles. If the ball touches the net and still bounces on your opponent's side of the table, the service must be replayed. However, if the ball touches the net and does not bounce on your opponent's side of the table, the server loses the point. If you need a more in-depth look at the service rules, take a look at my article here.
Returning the serve Your opponent must hit the ball back over the net so that it bounces only on the server's side of the table. When returning the serve, or during a rally, if the ball hits the net but does not hit your opponent's half of the table, then a point is awarded to your opponent. However, if the ball hits the net but still goes over and bounces on your opponent's half of the table, the point continues.
How many serves does each player have? ...
How many serves? When the rules of table tennis were changed to make each game up to 11 points instead of 21 points, the number of serves that each player had was also changed. Now, each player has two serves each, whereas in the old 21 point system, each player had five serves each. Service continues to alternate between opponents until one player scores 11 points, unless both players or pairs score 10 points (called deuce). If both players reach 10 points, then service alternates after each point, until one player gains a two point lead.
But what about ...
Doubles When playing table tennis doubles, service still alternates every two points between sides, but it also alternates between players on the same team. At the end of every two points, the receiving player becomes the server, and the partner of the serving player becomes the receiver. The service itself is exactly the same as in singles except that, rather than the ball bouncing anywhere on the table, it must bounce only on the right half portion of the table for both the server and the receiver. The receiver returns it, then the server's partner must hit it next followed by the receiver's partner and so on. Play must continue in this sequence throughout the rally and if a player hits it out of turn he loses the point. If you need a more in-depth look at table tennis doubles rules, take a look at my article here.
How do I ...
Score a point To score a point, you must keep the ball in play longer than your opponent. A player loses a point if he:
Fails to make a good serve (i.e. throwing the ball in the air and failing to hit the ball or failing to hit it onto his opponent's side of the table) Allows the ball to bounce twice on his side of the table Does not hit the ball after it has bounced on his side of the table Does not hit the ball onto his opponent's side of the table Hits the ball before it has bounced (i.e. volleying the ball) unless it's obviously not going to bounce on his side of the table Hits the ball twice in succession (i.e. a double hit) Puts his non-playing hand on the table or net or moves the table Obstructs the ball with any part of his body or clothing (unless it's obviously not going to bounce on his side of the table) Hits the ball out of turn when playing doubles
How long is a game? ...
A Game As we said earlier, when one player has scored 11 points (or when one player has a two point lead if the score previously reached 10-10), he wins the game. The players then swop ends and the next game begins with the player who served second in the previous game.
How long is a match? ...
A Match The rules of table tennis state that a match is the best of any odd number of games - usually 3, 5 or 7 games.
 by courtesy of the ITTF
Want to know more about the rules of table tennis? ... Take a look at my other pages which explain the rules in more detail.
The official laws of table tennis The official rules of table tennis are known as The Official Laws of Table Tennis ... so if you need to check the official wording, you can read them here ...
What do the rules say about the serve? The table tennis serve is one of the most controversial aspects of the game. Make sure you know the service rules. Read them here ...
Frequently asked questions about the serve The service rules are very complex, so let's answer some frequently asked questions. Read them here ...
When is the ball in or out? What do the table tennis rules say about the ball hitting the white lines, net or edges of the table? Is the ball in or out? Find out here ...
What is a good return? What do the rules say about a good return? Can you use your hand to play a shot? What happens if you touch or move the table? Find out here ...
What do the rules say about your racket? Do you know what the rules say about your racket? What size can it be? Which colours are allowed? When can you change your racket? Find out here ...
What do the rules say about playing doubles? Whether you're playing singles or doubles, the rules of table tennis are essentially the same. However, for doubles play there are a few subtle variations to the rules of table tennis. Read them here ...
What do the rules say about volleying the ball? Do the table tennis rules allow you to volley the ball?
Yes and No ... Let me explain
Are players allowed to take breaks during matches? What time limits are specified in the official table tennis rules?
What happens if a player is time-wasting? Find out here
Expedite system Do you know how long a game of table tennis can last? If both players keep the ball in play, can they continue playing forever? What do the rules of table tennis say about this? Find out here ...
Table tennis table dimensions What size is a table tennis table? Do you know what the official rules say about the size dimensions of a table tennis table?
Table tennis room size What table tennis room size do you need? It's probably more than you think! Find out here ...
Table tennis terminology Do you know your table tennis terminology or are you confused by your chops, pimples and twiddles? Here's my table tennis glossary ...
Go to All About Table Tennis home page from Rules of Table Tennis
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