Scoring System
In table tennis, a point is awarded to a player for any of the following situations during a rally:
- Service or Return Fault: The opponent fails to make a correct service or return.
- Touching External Objects: After making a service or return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before the opponent strikes it.
- Ball Missing the Table: The opponent strikes the ball, but it passes over the player’s side or beyond the end line without touching the table.
- Obstruction: The opponent obstructs the ball by preventing it from bouncing on their side of the table.
- Double Hit: The opponent strikes the ball twice successively. If the ball accidentally touches the player’s hand or fingers before hitting the racket, it is not considered a fault.
- Incorrect Racket Use: The opponent strikes the ball with the side of the racket blade that is not covered with rubber.
- Disturbing the Playing Surface: The opponent moves the playing surface or touches the net assembly during the rally.
- Free Hand Violation: The opponent’s free hand touches the playing surface.
- Expedite System: Under the expedite system, if the receiver completes 13 returns in a rally, the server loses the point.
- Repeated Offenses: If the opponent commits a second offense after being warned by the umpire. If a third offense occurs, two points will be awarded to the player.
Winning a Game
- A game is won by the player who first scores 11 points, unless both players reach 10 points. In such cases, the game continues until one player gains a 2-point lead.
Winning a Match
A match consists of the best of any odd number of games. In official competition play, matches are typically best of five or seven games.