How to Play Ping Pong

Ping pong, also known as table tennis, is one of the most accessible and fast-paced indoor and outdoor sports around. Whether you're looking for a fun game to play with friends or want to build competitive skills, ping pong offers an excellent mix of strategy, coordination, and physical activity.

Below, you’ll learn the basics of how to play table tennis, from what equipment you need to how to master the rules and essential techniques.

How Do You Play Ping Pong?

To play ping pong, two or four players stand on opposite sides of a table and use paddles to hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a net. A rally begins with a serve—the server tosses the ball upward and strikes it so it bounces once on their side of the table and then lands on the opponent’s side.

Once the ball is in play, players take turns hitting it after it bounces once on their side, aiming to land it back on the opponent’s side of the table. A point is won if the opponent fails to return the ball, hits it into the net, or sends it off the table without a bounce.

Games are typically played to 11 points, and players must win by at least two points. The key to playing well involves a combination of consistent serving, controlled returns, and smart footwork to stay in position for each shot.

What Equipment Is Used for Ping Pong?

To get started, you only need a few basic items:

• Ping pong table: Regulation size ping pong tables are 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 30 inches high, with a net stretched across the center.
• Paddles: Also called rackets or bats, they have a wooden blade with rubber surfaces that control spin and speed.
• Ping pong balls: Standard balls are 40mm in diameter, made of plastic, and rated with 1 to 3 stars based on quality.
• Optional ping pong accessories: Scoreboards, barriers, robot ball launchers for solo practice, and paddle cases can enhance your experience.

What Are the Ping Pong Rules?

Here’s a quick overview of the basic ping pong rules to get you started:

• Scoring: A game is played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Matches are often best of 5 or 7 games.
• Serving: The ball must be tossed at least 6 inches in the air and struck behind the table, hitting your side first before clearing the net and landing on the opponent’s side.
• Gameplay: Players alternate hitting the ball after one bounce on their side. A point ends when a player misses, hits out, or violates the rules.
• Serve rotation: Players switch serves every two points until one wins the game. In doubles, players rotate who serves and who receives.

These core rules are consistent with ping pong official rules used in competitive play.

How Do You Hold a Ping Pong Paddle?

There are two different ways you can hold a ping pong paddle. It is best to choose the most comfortable one when you first learn how to play. Then, once you are more comfortable, you can try variations like the reverse penhold grip.

• Penhold Grip: Place your thumb and forefinger around the paddle handle while placing the other three fingers on the back of the blade, similar to holding a pen.
• Shakehand Grip: You grasp the paddle handle while keeping your index finger on the back of the blade. Alternatively, you can place your thumb on the backside of the blade so your thumb and forefinger form a “V.”

How Do You Serve in Ping Pong?

The official way to serve in ping pong requires you to hold the ball in the open palm of your hand. Next, you toss it up into the air, and it must go up at least six inches to be considered a legal serve.

As the ball comes back down, hit it with your paddle, so it bounces on your side of the table before it goes over the net and onto your opponent’s side.

When playing singles, you can hit the ball anywhere on the table. However, when playing doubles, the ball must bounce on your side of the table, over the net, and bounce on the opposite diagonal on the opponent’s side of the table.

You will need to serve again if the ball hits the net during a serve. If the ball hits the net during regular play and lands on the opponent’s side of the table, it is considered a legal move, and play continues.

What Are the Ping Pong Basic Strokes?

Mastering the basic strokes helps you return the ball with control:

• Forehand Drive: A controlled, offensive stroke that generates speed and topspin.
• Backhand Drive: A mirror of the forehand, performed on the opposite side of the body.
• Block: A defensive stroke used to return fast shots without adding much power.
• Push: A soft, controlled stroke with backspin used to keep the ball low.
• Smash: A fast, aggressive stroke to finish the point when the ball is high.

Learning these strokes improves your overall game and helps you respond to a variety of shots with confidence.

How Is Doubles Play Different From Singles in Ping Pong?

Doubles ping pong follows many of the same rules as singles play but with a few key differences. In doubles, the serve must go diagonally across the table—from the server’s right-hand side to the receiver’s right-hand side—which adds an extra layer of precision.

Teammates are also required to alternate hits, meaning each player must take turns striking the ball, even if it comes back to their side. This rule makes communication and coordination between partners essential, as good teamwork is needed to maintain positioning, anticipate shots, and execute an effective strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the star ratings on ping pong balls mean?

Ping pong balls are rated from 1 to 3 stars based on quality—3-star balls are the most durable and are used in official tournaments.

How do you start a ping pong match?

A match begins with a serve, and players often decide who serves first with a coin toss or by rallying to determine possession.

What is the difference between table tennis and ping pong?

The terms are used interchangeably, but "table tennis" is the official name for the sport, while "ping pong" is more casual and often used in recreational settings.

Quality Ping Pong Tables for Your Home

If you're ready to bring the fun and challenge of ping pong into your home, Blatt Billiards offers a curated selection of high-quality tables to suit every level of ping pong play and design preference.

Whether you're looking for the refined craftsmanship of our Blatt custom and semi-custom ping pong tables, the accessible performance of our Blatt Economy line, or our durable outdoor ping pong tables designed to withstand the elements without sacrificing performance. Each table is built with precision and durability in mind, ensuring smooth, consistent gameplay for years to come.

Explore our collection online to find the perfect addition to your game room, or contact us for personalized assistance from our expert team.