| The official rules of ping pong, also known | | | | thereafter. At 10 points, the two players |
| as table tennis, are quite easy to learn, and | | | | alternate serving until one wins. Several |
| it is a rewarding game for many people. A | | | | games in a row will make a match, by winning |
| ping pong table has a short net across the | | | | say four out of seven games. |
| center and white markings. The markings are | | | | |
| only used when playing doubles ping pong, and | | | | A ball in play in ping pong is called a |
| can be disregarded for singles games. In a | | | | volley. The ball may be volleyed back and |
| singles game, you may serve from anywhere on | | | | forth many times without a point being lost |
| the table to anywhere on the table. In a | | | | or scored. If the server hits the ball twice |
| doubles game, you must serve from your right | | | | in a row, misses the ball or hits it off the |
| to the opponent's right side. The table must | | | | table, they will lose their point. If the |
| have an even surface, and the ping pong | | | | player opposing misses the ball, the server |
| paddles should have a rubber surface. While | | | | gets the point. Points are accumulated as the |
| sandpaper surfaced paddles are seen | | | | players take turns serving the ball. |
| occasionally, these are prohibited by ping | | | | |
| pong rules. | | | | You may hit the ball with the paddle using |
| | | | either a forehand or backhand stroke. Players |
| The game begins with the flip of a coin to | | | | can use either hand to play or both hands at |
| determine which player serves first. The | | | | once. You may not bump or touch the table. If |
| serve consists of tossing the ball into the | | | | the ball hits a wall, the floor or ceiling, |
| air and hitting it onto the other side of the | | | | it is out of play and a point will be lost. |
| ping pong table with your paddle. It may hit | | | | |
| the net, as long as it bounces onto the | | | | The rules of ping pong are easy to learn, and |
| table; however, this is called a let serve | | | | this fun game is a great activity to do with |
| and is reserved. If the ball leaves the | | | | friends or family. It does not take a lot of |
| table, the server will lose his or her point. | | | | space, can be done year round, and perhaps a |
| The first player serves two points, and then | | | | ping pong table would be a good addition to |
| it is traded off. The game is won with eleven | | | | your rec room or family spaces. |
| points or by a two point differential | | | | |