Let the ball bounce once on your side, then hit it onto theirsLaw 2.7.1, 2.10.1.4
A return that touches the net and lands over is goodLaw 2.7.1
Singles players hit alternately. Doubles partners take turnsLaw 2.8.1, 2.8.2
ALLOWEDBall clips the top edgeLaw 2.1.2
FAULTBall hits only the sideLaw 2.1.2
ALLOWEDBall off the racket hand, below the wristLaw 2.5.7
ALLOWEDReturn clips the net and landsLaw 2.7.1
Lets: when a point is replayed
A let is a rally that isn’t scored. Play it again. Law 2.5.3
A serve touches the net and is otherwise goodLaw 2.9.1.1
You serve before the receiver is ready, and they don’t try to hit itLaw 2.9.1.2
Something outside a player’s control spoils the rally, like a ball rolling inLaw 2.9.1.3
The umpire stops play, for example to correct the serving orderLaw 2.9.1.4
How you lose a point
Unless the rally is a let, it ends with a point to someone. You lose it if you: Law 2.10.1
Miss or break a serve ruleLaw 2.10.1.1
Miss the table with your returnLaw 2.10.1.2
Hit it over your side before it bouncesLaw 2.10.1.6
Hit it twice on purposeLaw 2.10.1.7
Put your free hand on the tableLaw 2.10.1.11
Move the tableLaw 2.10.1.9
Touch the netLaw 2.10.1.10
Hit out of turn in doublesLaw 2.10.1.12
Table tennis doubles rules
The first rally of a game: A serves to X.
Partners take turns to hit: server, receiver, server’s partner, receiver’s partnerLaw 2.8.2
When the serve changes, the last receiver serves to the partner of the last serverLaw 2.13.5
Next game: the serving pair picks its server. They serve to whoever served to them last gameLaw 2.13.4
Deciding game: at 5, change ends and the receiving pair swaps its receiverLaw 2.13.6, 2.13.7
A serves to X
X serves to B
B serves to Y
Y serves to A
The expedite rule
Starts after 10 minutes of play in a game, or earlier if both sides askLaw 2.15.1
Not if the game already has 18 or more pointsLaw 2.15.2
The serve changes every point. If the receiver makes 13 good returns, they win the pointLaw 2.15.4
Once on, it stays on for the rest of the matchLaw 2.15.6
Common questions
How many points is a table tennis game?
A game goes to 11 points. At 10-all, play goes on until one side leads by two, so 12–10, 13–11 and so on.
Can the serve hit the net in table tennis?
Yes, but it is a let. If a serve touches the net and is otherwise good, it is replayed and nobody scores. In a rally, a ball that touches the net and lands over is good.
How often does the serve change in table tennis?
Every 2 points. From 10-all, it changes every point until the game ends.
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in table tennis?
Not over the table. If you touch the ball while it is above or heading for your side and it hasn’t bounced, you lose the point. If it is already past your end line without bouncing, it is out and the point is yours.
What are the main table tennis doubles rules?
Serve from your right half to their right half, then partners hit in turn. The serve changes every 2 points and passes around all four players.
What is the expedite rule in table tennis?
If a game lasts 10 minutes, unless 18 points have been played, players serve one point each in turn, and a receiver who makes 13 good returns wins the point. It stays on for the rest of the match.
Can you touch the table with your hand in table tennis?
Not with your free hand, the one without the racket: putting it on the playing surface loses the point. Moving the table loses it too.
Rules are written by 1SCOR in our own words and checked against the official rulebook. They are not the rulebook: for anything official, read the rulebook itself.