How to Play Ping Pong

Ping pong, also commonly known as table tennis, is a fun game for people of all ages. The game is played between at least two and up to four people at one time. Ping pong is very similar to the sport of tennis, but it is played on a table with smaller paddles.

1. First: Starting the game

   Find a partner and pick a side on which to play, then toss a coin to decide who serves first. The person that serves first has to toss the ball up and hit it with his paddle so that it bounces once on his side of the net prior to bouncing onto the opponent's side. For a game of singles the ball can bounce anywhere on the opponent's side of the court, but with doubles it must bounce on the side of the court diagonal to the server. Many people play that rule with singles matches as well, but it is not an official rule for a singles match.

2. Second: Scoring points and rallying

   The opponent attempts to hit the ball back across the net before it bounces twice on his side or falls to the ground. The players then continue to volley the ball back and forth across the net until someone either misses the ball or hits it too late. A point is awarded to the player who kept the ball in play the longest without any errors. The serve is alternated every two points and a winner is declared in official matches after 11 points.

3. Third: Extra rules to know

   Players cannot touch the ball with any part of their body during the game, except when tossing for the serve. If they touch the ball at any other time, then the opponent scores a point. A point is also awarded to the opponent if a player puts a hand on the table or moves the table. Also, if the ball goes into the net, bounces off the table or hits the wrong half of the opponent's court in doubles, then the opponent scores a point.