Ping pong rules: serving, scoring and how to win
How many points, how to serve and when the point is yours: Polarzinho explains the official table tennis rules, no fuss.
By Polarzinho ·
Ping pong looks simple until the first argument: "it hit the edge, does it count?", "net serve, do we replay?", "whose serve is it?". I have lost friends over less. So here are the official table tennis rules, explained as plainly as possible.
At the end I explain how Sunset Rally, Polar Games’ arcade ping pong, works, since it uses a shorter score for quick matches.
How you win a point
Every point starts with a serve. Then each player must return the ball over or around the net so it bounces once on the opponent’s side. Whoever fails to make a good return loses the point. Every point counts, no matter who served.
How many points: games and matches
- A game is played to 11 points.
- You must win by 2. At 10–10 the game goes on until someone leads by two.
- A match is best of 3, 5 or 7 games, as agreed.
- Players switch ends after each game. In the last possible game, they also switch when someone reaches 5 points.
Serving rules
- The ball rests on your open, flat palm, behind the end line of the table.
- Toss it nearly straight up at least 16 cm (about 6 inches) and hit it as it falls.
- The ball must bounce once on your side and then once on your opponent’s side.
- In singles, the serve can land anywhere on the opponent’s side. In doubles, it goes diagonally, from the right half to the right half.
Who serves and when it switches
The first server is decided by lot. After that, the serve switches every 2 points. At 10–10 it switches every point until the game ends. In the next game, whoever received first in the previous game serves first.
When you lose the point
- The ball doesn’t bounce on your opponent’s side (it goes out or stays in the net).
- You hit the ball before it bounces on your side.
- You let the ball bounce twice on your side.
- Your free hand touches the table, or you move the table during the rally.
- You or your clothing touch the net.
Edge balls and side balls
A ball that hits the top edge of the table is good, and the rally continues. A ball that hits the side of the table, below the playing surface, is not good, and the point goes against whoever hit it.
What about Sunset Rally?
PolarzinhoMatches here are short, so every serve counts. Start sleepy and you wake up already behind.
Sunset Rally is arcade ping pong: matches go to 7 points, and the paddle responds to gestures, like a smash when the ball pops up and a drop shot when your rival is far back. There is a campaign, practice and real-time online matches against another person.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a ping pong game?
11 points, winning by 2. A match is best of 3, 5 or 7 games.
Can you volley in ping pong?
No. In table tennis the ball must bounce once on your side before you return it.
What happens if the serve hits the net?
If it touches the net and lands correctly, the serve is replayed. If it doesn’t go over, your opponent gets the point.
Does an edge ball count?
Yes, if it hits the top edge. If it hits the side of the table, below the surface, it doesn’t.
Let’s play
Now that you know the rules, it’s all practice. Open Sunset Rally, warm up in practice mode, then take someone on online. If you like sports, the 8-ball pool rules are on the blog too.