Table tennis — ping-pong to most of the world — is played singles or doubles across a table divided by a low net. The ball is light and the distances are short, so the game is decided less by power than by spin, placement and reading what your opponent has put on the ball.
The setup
- The table is 2.74 m long, 1.525 m wide and 76 cm high, with a net 15.25 cm high across the middle.
- Two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles).
- Rackets are wooden blades covered in rubber — one side red, one side black, so opponents can tell which surface you used.
Serving
- Rest the ball on an open, flat palm, then toss it at least 16 cm straight up and strike it on the way down.
- The serve must bounce once on your own half, then once on your opponent’s half. In doubles it must travel diagonally, right half to right half.
- The serve must be visible — no hiding the ball with your hand or body. That rule exists to let the receiver read your spin.
- If the serve clips the net but still lands legally, it is a "let": replay the point, with no penalty.
- Service changes every 2 points — and every single point once the score reaches 10–10.
Playing a point
- Let the ball bounce once on your side, then return it over the net onto your opponent’s side. Volleying is not allowed — hitting it before it bounces loses you the point.
- You lose the point if you miss, hit the ball into the net, send it off the table, or move the table.
- The edge of the table counts as in; the vertical side does not.
- In doubles, partners must alternate shots — you cannot play two balls in a row, however tempting.
Scoring
- Games are to 11 points, and you must win by two clear points.
- A match is usually best of 5 games, or best of 7 at higher levels.
- Players swap ends after each game, and at 5 points in the deciding game.