Competitive table tennis follows strict rules. Even if you play the game casually, learning the rules can help make the game more fun and competitive. Make fair rules calls yourself during matches without rules officials or referees.
Table And Equipment
A regulation table tennis table measures 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, according to USA Table Tennis. The table must have a flat surface that lies parallel to the floor and 30 inches above it. A 6-inch high net divides the table into two equal sides. Table tennis requires a light, hollow ball that measures about 1½ inches in diameter and weighs about .1 oz. Players hit the ball with rubber-sided wooden paddles.
Serving
Play begins with a coin toss. The winner of the toss can choose to serve or receive first or to start on one side of the table. The other player gets to make the other choice. The first server begins the game, and the players then alternate the serve after every two points. The server must hit the ball out of the air from behind the table's end line and above the surface of the table. The serve must bounce on the server's side of the court and then on the opponent's side of the court. Players have only one serve attempt.
Points
Players must hit the ball back over the net before it bounces twice. Players win points by hitting shots that the opponent cannot return before the ball bounces twice. Players also win points when their opponent makes an error, whether by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball twice, blocking the ball with his body, touching the table with the non-racket hand or moving the table or net. If an unexpected interference prevents either player from finishing the point, the players or rules officials can call a "let" and replay the point.
Scoring
Players must win 11 points with a two-point margin of victory to win a game. The number of games a player must win to win the match depends on the tournament, but table tennis matches must always be played to the best of a certain number of odd games.
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