Q&A for How to Keep Score in Ping Pong or Table Tennis

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How do you get 10 points in table tennis?

Community Answer

You will have to score on your opponent 10 times. In table tennis, you score a point by keeping the ball in play longer than your opponent. If your opponent misses a ball you served or hit last, you get a point. However, make sure the ball bounces off of your side of the table and then bounces again off your opponent's side of the table. If your opponent misses a ball that fails to bounce, you will not get a point.

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Question

Which is the best type of serve in ping pong?

Donagan

Top Answerer

The best players serve fast, low, and with top-spin.

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Question

If I hit the table with my racket as I am hitting the ball, do I automatically lose the point?

Community Answer

As long as you don't move the table, then you won't lose a point.

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Question

Are they any secret serves?

Community Answer

I like doing a sliced serve, it always tricks my opponents the first time around.

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Question

If the score is 20-15, who gets to serve the ball?

Community Answer

In ping pong, you switch up who serves every 2 points regardless of the score. In a 20-15 game, you would still choose who serves based on points.

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Question

Do I have to serve in order to score?

Community Answer

Yes. A point always starts with a serve.

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Question

Is it advisable use the back part of pad to play generally called "back hand"?

The Origami World

Community Answer

Yes. If you're better at using back hand, it is encouraged to use back hand. However, if the ball is served at the corner, near your forehand, it will be better if you use forehand. Hence, it will be advisable to learn both forehand and backhand.

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Question

If the ball is served into the net without going over the net in ping pong, is that a point for the opponent or a reserve?

The Origami World

Community Answer

It is count as a point. However, if the ball touched the net and went to the another opponent, the opponent must reserve. If the opponent kept missing it, after three times, the another opponent will get a point.

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Question

If a player returns a ball that has not bounced on his side of the table, does the ball remain in play?

Community Answer

No, the point ends immediately if a player even touches a ball that hasn't bounced on their side of the table. If they touch the ball behind the plane of the short end of the table, it is their point, but if they touch the ball in front of that plane, it is the other person's point.

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Question

If a ball hits the net and falls directly near the net on the opponent's side without bouncing, is that a point for the server?

Community Answer

If this happens during a serve, then no, you would serve again and no points would be awarded. If it happens any other time during a point, then the point counts as if the ball didn't touch the net.

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Question

Is it fair to stand at the side of the table to serve when playing table tennis?

Community Answer

No; you have to stand behind the end of the table. Intrusion beyond that is not allowed.

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Question

Do I have to serve diagonally?

Community Answer

You only need to serve cross-court (diagonally) if you are playing doubles.

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Question

Can I walk to the side of the table to return a ball, or do I need to stay behind the endline?

Community Answer

Yes you can as long as you don't pass the net line, or put your racket above the net.

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Question

How many reserves are allowed in one point if the ball touches the net continuously?

Community Answer

An infinite amount. If the ball keeps touching the net, you keep re-serving.

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Question

Do I serve both serves to the same court?

Community Answer

Yes, you would need to serve both serves to the same court.

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Question

Should I call the score using my points first or my opponent's points?

Community Answer

Let your opponent know if you want to call your points first or their points first when calling out the score in ping-pong.

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Question

Can I switch hands when playing table tennis?

Community Answer

You cannot switch your "paddle hand". This is in the official rule-book, but if you are playing at home you can do whatever you want. Look up the table tennis official to see the rules for professionals in more depth.

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Question

Can you play mixed doubles in table tennis?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, depending on if you are just playing for fun, or at a tournament or your local ports club.

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Question

If I hit the ball and it bounces inside opponent's side and returns back to my side without my opponent touching who would get the point?

Community Answer

You will get the point. If your opponent touches the ball, it matters whether you hit it or not.

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Question

When serving, do you serve side to side on the table or anywhere on the board?

Gerard Tran

Community Answer

In singles, you can serve anywhere on the table but in doubles, you have to serve from the right-hand side in a diagonal path towards your opponent's right-hand side of the table.

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Question

According to this, points are scored on the serve, who gets the point if the server misses?

Gerard Tran

Community Answer

The server loses the point if they miss the ball, therefore, the opponent is awarded a point.

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Question

How to control smash while playing table tennis?

Gerard Tran

Community Answer

You can control your smash by waiting for the ball to reach a good height and swinging forwards towards the opponent's side of the table. Remember that high balls tend to come towards you at a slower speed, so don't smash the ball immediately.

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Question

If I swing at a ball from my opponent and it hits my thumb before it hits my side of the table and it was past the end of the table, is it my opponent's point?

Gerard Tran

Community Answer

It is considered legal to hit the ball with your fingers, or with your racket hand below the wrist, or even any part of the bat.(Law 2.5.7) This means that you could quite legally return the ball by: Hitting it with the back of your racket hand; hitting it with the edge of the bat, instead of the rubber; and hitting it with the handle of the bat.

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Question

How many serves is each player suppose to take before giving the other opponent to serve? 2 or 5?

Gerard Tran

Community Answer

A player is allowed two serves, not five, before they have to let the opponent serve.

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