Ping pong, or table tennis, is one of those games everyone’s played at some point, in a garage, a youth club, or maybe at the pub (btw, I’m not talking about beer pong here!). But when you start looking at the actual rules, you realise there’s more to them than you might think.
Whether you play casually or want to learn the game, this guide breaks down the official rules, common exceptions, and a few surprising details most players never learn.
1. The Basics – How a Game Works
A standard game goes to 11 points, and you must win by at least two.
Matches are usually best of five or best of seven games.
Players serve twice each, then swap. But if the score reaches 10–10 (called deuce), serves alternate every point until someone pulls two points ahead.
Simple, right? Fast, too; most games are over in just a few minutes.
2. How to Serve Properly
Serving is where most people break the rules; often without realising it.
Here’s how to do it right:
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The ball must rest freely on your open palm (no cupping).
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You have to toss it at least 16 cm (around six inches) almost straight up.
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It must bounce once on your side, then once on your opponent’s.
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In singles, you can serve anywhere.
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In doubles, it must go diagonally from right to right.
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If the ball hits the net but still lands correctly, it’s a let and replayed — even if it happens ten times in a row.
3. Scoring a Point
You score a point when your opponent:
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Misses the ball or hits it off the table.
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Let it bounce twice on their side.
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Touches the table or ball illegally (for example, with their free hand).
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Hits it before it bounces — volleying is not allowed in ping pong.
Every rally starts with a serve and ends when one player commits a fault.
4. The “Let” Rule and Changing Ends
Sometimes play is interrupted; maybe a ball rolls in from another table or someone walks past too close. That’s a let, and the point is replayed.
Players switch sides after every game, and in the final deciding game, they switch again once someone reaches five points, to keep conditions fair.
5. Playing Doubles
In doubles, teamwork (and rhythm) matter most:
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Serves must always go diagonally.
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Partners alternate every shot; you can’t hit twice in a row.
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After each serve, the receiver’s partner becomes the next server.
6. Edges, Visibility, and Hidden Serves
If the ball lands on the top edge of the table, it’s in.
If it hits the side of the table, it’s out.
You also can’t hide the ball with your body or arm during service — the opponent must see the ball from toss to contact. This rule keeps serves fair and visible.
7. The Double-Bounce Rule
Once the ball’s in play, you have to hit it after one bounce on your side.
If it bounces twice before you return it, the point automatically goes to your opponent.
8. Lesser-Known Rules and Exceptions
Here are a few rules that surprise most casual players:
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You can serve from anywhere, but the ball must start behind the end line when tossed.
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You can win points on any serve, not just your own.
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The edge counts if the ball lands on top, even if it clips at an angle.
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There’s an “expedite system” for slow games: if a game lasts more than 10 minutes and fewer than 18 points are played, players take turns serving every point, and the receiver wins the rally if they return 13 shots in a row.
In Short
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Game to 11, win by 2
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Serve twice, alternate every point at deuce
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Toss 16 cm, keep it visible and near-vertical
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No volleying, no hiding, edges count
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Unlimited lets, and an expedite rule if rallies drag on
That’s all you really need to know to play like a pro — or at least argue with confidence when someone claims your serve “doesn’t count.”
Display Your Scores Like the Pros
If you’d like to show your game’s score on a TV, monitor, or even a live stream, check out OBScoreboard.
It lets you display live scores for ping pong, football, basketball, and more; all updated in real time and easy to control from your phone or laptop. Perfect for clubs, tournaments, or friendly competitions.