Table tennis
Two serves each. Never lose track of who serves.
Game after game, up to 11. The table handles the play, Matchito the score.
Score a gameOne rally, one tap.
Tap the color of the player who won the rally. The serve switches on its own every two points. Try it!
- Games to 11 points
- 2 serves each
- 3 games to win
- Pick table tennis, and name the two players.
- After each rally, tap the color of the player who won it. Matchito switches the server every two points, then every point at 10 all.
- The referee calls the server’s score first, plus game points and match points.
The rules, in short.
What the International Table Tennis Federation’s Laws say, and nothing more.
- 11
To win a game
The first player to 11 points wins the game. At 10 all, you need a two-point lead, with no cap.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.11.1 - Odd
The match
A match is the best of an odd number of games. The Laws don’t set that number: each competition chooses it.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.12.1 - 2
The serve
The serve changes every 2 points. At 10 all, each player serves just one point in turn.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.13.3 - Ends
Changing ends
Players change ends after each game. In the last possible game, they also change when a player reaches 5 points.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.13.7 - Lot
Who starts
A draw: the winner chooses to serve, to receive, or which end to start at, and the other player gets the other choice. Whoever served first in a game receives first in the next.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Laws 2.13.1, 2.13.2 and 2.13.6 - 10 min
The expedite system
After 10 minutes of play in a game, unless 18 points have already been scored, each player serves one point in turn, and the receiver scores by making 13 returns in the rally.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.15 - Doubles
Doubles
The server, then the receiver, then the server’s partner, then the receiver’s partner: each player hits in turn, in that order. On the serve, the ball touches your right half, then the right half across the net. At each change of service, the receiver becomes the server, and the previous server’s partner receives.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Laws 2.6.3, 2.8.2 and 2.13.5
Or stay at the table.
One press per rally won, on your watch or the three buttons on your earbuds: ⏮ for pink, ⏭ for yellow. ⏯ undoes the last point. The server switches on its own.
The questions people ask.
How many points do you need to win a game of table tennis?
Eleven, with a two-point lead: at 10 all, play goes on until one player leads by two.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.11.1How many serves does each player get?
Two, then the receiver becomes the server. At 10 all, one serve each, in the same order.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.13.3How do you serve legally?
The ball rests on your open, still palm, then you toss it nearly straight up, without spin, at least 16 cm. You hit it as it falls: it touches your side, then your opponent’s.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Laws 2.6.1 to 2.6.3What if the serve touches the net?
If it is otherwise good, it’s a let: the rally doesn’t count, and you serve again.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.9.1.1Do you get a break?
In international competition, up to one minute between games, and one time-out of up to one minute per player or pair per match.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Regulations 3.4.4.1 and 3.4.4.2How do you win a point?
You win the point if your opponent misses a serve or a return, deliberately hits the ball twice in a row, touches the net or moves the table, or puts their free hand on the table. In doubles, hitting out of turn also gives you the point.
ITTF, 2026 Statutes, chapter 2 “Laws of Table Tennis” and chapter 3, Law 2.10.1