The official rules of Table Tennis are outlined in Chapter 2: The Laws of Table Tennis of the ITTF Statutes. These laws cover everything from how a point is scored, how serves must be made, and the equipment used, to player eligibility and match structure.
Here are the basics:
- A match is usually the best of 5 or 7 games.
- Each game is played to 11 points, and a player must win by at least 2 points.
- Players serve two points each, alternating until one player wins the game. At 10–10, serves alternate every point.
- The serve must start with the ball resting on the open palm, tossed vertically at least 16 cm, and struck behind the end line.
- A point is scored when the opponent fails to make a correct return, lets the ball bounce more than once, or hits the ball off the table.
- In doubles, players must alternate shots and serves must go diagonally.
For the most up-to-date and complete rules, you can always check the current ITTF Handbook (Statutes), which includes the Laws of Table Tennis: https://www.ittf.com/statutes/
