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The Rules of Ping Pong (Table Tennis)
Ping Pong, or Table Tennis, is known in the whole world. It is easy to learn to play it. All you need are two paddles, a smooth netted table, Ping Pong balls, 1 (for single game) or 3 friends (for double game).
The table
The Pin Pong table has a short net across the center. White lines mean nothing in singles games (two players). But in double games (four players) one must serve diagonally from right to left.
The goal of Ping Pong
A game is won when one player, or team, reaches 11 points, however a game must be won by at least a two point margin. Several games in a row can create a match, such that the champion wins the most out of an odd number of games, such as 4 out of 7. Players switch sides between each game of a match.
The Serve
Usually the player who gets the first serve is determined by the flip of a coin. A serve is comprised of throwing the ball in the air and hitting it on its way down such that it bounces once on your side of the net, then bounces over the net to land anywhere on your opponent’s side. The first player serves two points, then the serve is traded off so your opponent serves for two points, and so on. It is all right for the ball to hit the net initially, as long as it continues and lands on the opponent’s side thereafter. This is called a “let” serve and the server is allowed to reserve the ball.
Scoring
A point is scored after each ball is put into play. If the server misses the ball, hits the ball twice in a row, or hits the ball somewhere off the table, the server loses their point. If the opponent has served, and you miss the ball, your opponent get a point. A game must be won by two points, therefore at a score of 10-10, Ping Pong rules dictate you trade off every serve until someone gets ahead by two. The edges of the table are part of the legal table surface, but not the sides.
See the official rules of Table Tennis.