Official Table Tennis Rules - Explained

Table tennis can be played with either one player on each side - Singles Match or two players on each side - Doubles match. While the singles matches are more popular, the real fun is in doubles. Broadly the rules for singles and doubles are the same.

In the next section, we'll be discussing the rules for each of them.

Meaning of the various commonly used terms:

• Rally - Simply put, a rally starts the moment server performs the service and ends as soon any of the players wins a point.
• Let - The rally, which does not result in a point, is known as a let.
• Fault - Failure of the server to do a legal serve.
• Re-serve - When an otherwise legal serve touches the net. The server needs to serve the ball again.

How does the game start?

Serving Rules

• For Singles match: A valid serve should be such that it bounces once on the server's court and at least once on the receiver's court without touching the net. There is no restriction on where the ball may bounce on either side.
  
  
• For Doubles match: The serve should be done diagonally from right half court of the server to the right half court of the receiver such that the ball bounces successfully on each court without touching the net.

If the ball hits the net while serving,

• If the ball touches the net and falls on the opposite side, then the server needs to serve again, and it's often referred to as 'RE' or 'Re-serve'. No point is lost or gained.
• Contrary to popular belief that if the ball touches the net in two consecutive serves, then the server loses a point is WRONG. There is no limit on how many re-serves that a player can do.
  
• If the ball hits the net and remains on the side of the server, then the server loses the point.

How to Serve

For a legal serve,

• The server should start by placing the ball on his/her palm, completely visible to the opponent. 
• While serving the server should be behind the end line of the table. 
• The server should throw the ball at least 16 cm above the table level without imparting any sort of spin on the ball.
• The server should hit the ball with his paddle during the fall.

What is a Valid Return?

What is a Let?

When a serve or return results in no point, then it's called a Let. 

• While serving when the ball bounces once on the server's side, touches the net before falling on the receiver's side, then the service needs to be redone, and no point is lost or gained. There is no limit on the number of times the player can do a re-serve.
  
• During play, if there is an external disturbance like a ball falling from another court, then the service needs to be done again.
  
  
• When the receiver is not ready.

When is the point Scored/Lost?

A point is won or lost,

• When the server does an illegal serve, i.e., when the service does not clear the net, the receiver GAINS a point.
• When the receiver or the server is unable to return the ball successfully i.e., either the ball hits the net and remains on his/her, side or ball goes out of the table without bouncing on the opponent's side.
• When either of the players moves the table, touch the table with their free hand (non-playing hand) or touch the net.
• When any player intentionally double-hits the ball. However, if the ball touches the playing hand above the wrist during play, it is legal and does not constitute a point loss.

Scoring System

• A table tennis match is played in a 'best of 3, 5 or 7' format. Most of the international tournaments are of 7 games. The player who wins the majority of matches (4-3, 4-0 etc.) wins.
• Each game is of 11 points, with each player getting two consecutive serves before switching. 
  Let's say player A wins the toss and decides to serve. He wins a point and then loses a point, so the scores are level at 1-1. Then player B will do two consecutive serves. And the match will proceed.
• The winner is the one who is first to reach 11 points. 
• A deuce happens when the score is level at 10-10. At this point, each player gets to serve once before switching. The player who takes a lead of 2 points wins.
  Example: Let's say, Player A is at 9 points, and Player B is at 10 points. Player A is serving, and he wins the point. So the scores are level, and it's called a deuce.
  • Now, Player B will serve once, and he needs to win two consecutive points i.e., 12-10, to win the match. Suppose, player B wins the point, and the score is 11-10.
  • Now Player A will serve once again. Suppose Player A wins the point, and the scores are level at 11-11.
  • The match will continue until either of the players is leading with two points. 
• After the match is complete, the players switch sides. 

Table Tennis Double Rules

The primary rules of the game remain the same, but there is a slight difference in the flow of the match.

Let's see how it differs:

• Like in a singles match, the doubles match is also of 11 points with each server getting two serves at a time.
  
  
• The serve must be done diagonally across the right half court of the server and the receiver such that the ball touches each court successively.
  
  
• After the server does a successful service, the receiver must legally return the ball. Next, the partner of the server must hit the ball, which will be followed by the partner of the receiver returning the ball. One thing to note here is that the return can be anywhere on the opposite court, i.e., it's not required to return the ball diagonally.
  
  
• After each service change (after two serves), the previous server switches sides with his/her partner, and the previous receiver becomes the new server.

The Rules of Table Tennis - Video Explanation

Here is a great video by Judy from PaddlePalace.com, explaining the rules of table tennis in detail.

General Equipment Rules