The Official Rules of Ping Pong

We’ve listed the key rules for ping-pong in the USA. USA Ping Pong is right here to help you settle workplace or garage disputes. The list isn’t exhaustive; however, we’ve found that these are the most common disagreements among a lot of players. No matter what you call it, table tennis, ping-pong, or whiff whaff these table tennis rules will help you keep your thoughts in order.

1. Games Are Played Till Someone Hits 11 Points

A game is played with 11 points. A game has to have a winning margin of two points. The match is typically the most successful of the three games.

2. Alternate Serves Each Two Points

Every side is alternated providing two points at a given time. The exception is that after a tie 10-ten (“deuce”) the service is alternated at each point. Are you able to lose the serve in ping-pong? Yes! There’s no specific rule to serve game points.

3. Do Not Over Straightly Loose The Ball Before Serving

What is the best way to serve the ball when playing Ping-Pong? Keep the ball in an open hand, at the side of the table. Toss it at a minimum of 6″ straight up and strike it while going down. The ball must land on your area of the table first, and afterward the opposite side. Note: Once the ball is removed from the hands of the server, it’s in play and can be considered a point for the receiver when the ball is hit or missed.

4. The Server Can Land Anywhere in Singles

There’s no limit to where the ball will land on the other side of your edge of the table. It could bounce more than two times on the side of your opponent (if you want to, then you’re on the right track) bounce off the table, or land on the edge.

5. Doubles Serves Must Be Going the Right Court to the Right One

The serve has to bounce off the court that is in the right of the server and the receiver’s right court (note that landing on the center line is fair). Doubles players swap places when their team serves twice.

6. A Serve That Touches The Net On The Way Over Is A “Let”

Does the ball have the ability to hit the net in ping-pong? Yes during a RALLY when it hits the top of the net, and it lands in another way, it is an actual hit. However, this isn’t the case when serving. If a ball that is served is hit by the net on the way to the other side and legally bounces around in play then it’s a “let” serve and served over. There’s no limit on how many times this could be the case.

7. Alternate Hitting in A Double Rally

Doubles partners have to alternate the hitting of balls during an organized game, regardless of which side of the ball hits the table.

8. Volleys Do Not Permit

Do you have the ability to hit the ball before it bounces in ping-pong? No. In normal tennis, you can “volley” your ball (hitting the ball before when it bounces off the other edge of the net). In table tennis, it will result in a point being awarded to your opponent. Note: If your opponent strikes an object that floats across your side of the table, but does not touch it, and then strikes either you or the paddle it is still a point for you.

9. If Your Hit Bounces Back Over The Net By Itself It Is Your Point

If you strike the ball in an e-court or serve and it bounces to the net after striking your opponent’s table (due to an extreme spin) and without the opponents touching it that’s your point.

10. Touching The Ball With Your Paddle Hand Is Permitted

What is the outcome if a ball strikes your hand or fingers in a ping pong match? If the ball strikes your paddle hand, or results in a legal hit, there’s no violation of the rule and the game will continue as usual. The paddle hand is comprised of the entire hand and fingers beneath the wrist. But what happens if the ball hits a participant’s body in any other way in a ping pong match? It is not allowed to play with your hands that are not paddled for any reason. This could cause a point to your opponent. But if the strike of your opponent can fly over your table, without touching it, and then hits any area that you are in or on your paddle you still have a point.

11. You Are Not Allowed to Touch The Table With The Other Hand

You can contact the ball or table using your paddle (after reaching back to return an untimely serve, for instance) or with other parts or your entire body. Note: If the table moves even a little due to your touch during a game it is your opponent’s point.

12. An “Edge” Ball Bouncing Off The Horizontal Table Top Surface Is Good

A legal hit or serve may hit with the edge on the table’s horizontal top surface and count as valid, however, even when it bounces in a sideways direction. The sides that are vertical of the table are not part of the playing surface.

13. The Honor System is Applicable to Disagreements

If there is no referee in a match, and players do not agree on a particular decision then it is the “honor system”. The players must be able to reach an agreement or even play the point over. Ping pong has a long history of a fair and fierce game. Let us ensure it stays the same way!