How to score
- The game is won by the first player or team to 11 points
- If you are tied at 10 all, the first player or team to be 2 points clear wins
- You score a point when your opponent is unable to return the ball, or hits the ball before it bounces on their side
- Matches consist of an odd number of games, usually 3, 5 or 7, but however many you like
How to serve
Hold the ball in the palm of your hand above table height. Throw the ball up (at least 16cm) and hit it to your opponent as it comes back down.
- The ball must bounce on the servers side of the table, clear the net and then bounce on the opponents side
- If the ball touches the net on a serve re-take the serve
- If the ball doesn't clear the net, or doesn't bounce on your opponents side they win the point
- There are no second serves in Table tennis
- Change servers every 2 points
- If the game is tied at 10 all, change the server after every point
- In singles you can serve from anywhere behind your side of the table to anywhere on the table
Doubles play
- You should alternate hitting the ball with your partner
- Service must be diagonally across the table from the right side of the court to the opponents right side
More information
Table Tennis England have neat little PDF you can download and they have more detail about doubles rules and instructional video on their how to guide.