PING PONG RULES: THE "KEEP IT FUN, NOT A LAWSUIT" GUIDE

Hey there, paddle warriors and table tennis enthusiasts! Whether you're settling an office tournament dispute or trying to prove to your cousin that serving from behind your back isn't actually legal (sorry, cousin Steve), we've got your back. These aren't just random rules we made up while playing ping pong after too many energy drinks - these are the most commonly disputed points that turn friendly games into family feuds. Sure, we could dive into the complete 89-page official rulebook (yes, it really exists!), but let's be honest - you're probably here because someone just claimed "that's not how we played it in college!" For the full encyclopedic version of rules, check out [insert link]. But for now, here's your essential guide to keeping the peace at the ping pong table. Whether you call it ping pong (because that's easier to say), table tennis (because you're fancy), or whiff whaff (because... British?), these rules will help you avoid turning your friendly match into a courtroom drama.

1. GAME SCORING SYSTEM

A game is played to 11 points. However, a player must win by a margin of at least 2 points. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one player gains a 2-point lead (such as 12-10, 13-11, etc.). A match is typically best of five games.

2. SERVICE ALTERNATION RULES

Singles: Players alternate serving every two points throughout the game. However, when the score reaches 10-10 (deuce), the service alternates after each point until the game ends. A point can be won or lost regardless of which player is serving. Doubles: In doubles, teams alternate serving every two points. The service rotation follows this pattern: • First server (A1) serves to designated receiver (B1) • After 2 points, the receiving team becomes the serving team • The previous receiver (B1) becomes the server, and serves to the previous server's partner (A2) • This rotation continues throughout the game When the score reaches 10-10, service alternates after each point following the same rotation pattern.

3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING

How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table. Toss at least 6" straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table and then the other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server's hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver's point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.

4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES

There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent's side of the table. It can bounce two or more times on your opponent's side (if so, that's your point), bounce over the side, or even hit the edge.

5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT

The serve must bounce in the server's right court, and receiver's right court (NOTE: landing on center line is fair).

6. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY

Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.

7. NET BALL RULES

During Rally: • If the ball touches the net and lands on the opponent's side of the table, the play continues (valid shot) • If the ball touches the net and fails to land on the opponent's side, the point is lost During Service: • If the served ball touches the net and lands on the opponent's side, it is called a "let" serve and must be replayed • There is no limit to the number of "let" serves that can occur consecutively

8. VOLLEYS are NOT ALLOWED

Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may "volley" the ball (hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a point for your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point.

9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT

If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your opponent's side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your point.

10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED

What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches your PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall continue as normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But what if the ball touches a player's body anywhere else during a ping pong rally? You may not touch the ball with your non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent's hit sails over your side of the table without touching it, and hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still your point.

11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND

You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short serve, for example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your touching it during a rally, that is your opponent's point.

12. AN "EDGE" BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD

An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and be counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal playing surface.

13. THE "GENTLEMAN'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION" PROTOCOL

When there's no referee around and players can't agree on a call, it's time for the famous "ping pong peace talks." Remember, this isn't international diplomacy - but it's close! You have three civilized options: • Have a friendly discussion (no paddle-waving allowed) • Replay the point (because life's too short for ping pong arguments) • Rock-paper-scissors (just kidding... but actually, agreeing is more important than winning) Remember: Ping pong was invented as a genteel after-dinner parlor game - let's keep that spirit alive! We're here to play table tennis, not start World War III over whether that serve was 2 millimeters too high. As the ancient ping pong proverb says: "Better to replay a point than lose a friend." (Okay, we just made that up, but it sounds good, right?)