TallynightHow to keep score in ping pong
In ping pong, every rally wins a point, and a game goes to 11, won by 2. Each player serves 2 points in a row, and from 10 all the serve changes after every point. A match is best of three, five or seven games.
- Players
- 2 in singles, 4 in doubles
- Who wins
- The first to win most of the games
- A game
- 11 points, 2 clear
- Serve
- 2 points each, then 1 each from 10 all
How a game is scored
Table tennis changed to 11-point games in 2001. Some home tables still play the old way, so here are both.
| Today (ITTF rules) | The old way, before 2001 | |
|---|---|---|
| A game goes to | 11 | 21 |
| Lead needed | 2 | 2 |
| Serves each | 2 points | 5 points |
| At the end of a close game | From 10 all, the serve changes every point | From 20 all, the serve changes every point |
| A match | Best of 3, 5 or 7 games | Best of 3 or 5 games |
Serving and the score
The serve passes to the other player after every 2 points, whoever wins them. At 10 all, it changes after every point until someone leads by 2. A quick check: until 10 all, the serve changes whenever the two scores add up to an even number.
The server's score is called first. A serve that touches the net and then lands in is a let: serve again, with no point to anyone.
Players change ends after each game, and in the last possible game of a match when someone reaches 5. Whoever served first in one game receives first in the next.
Doubles
The scoring is the same as singles. The serve goes diagonally, from your right half of the table to the receiver's right half, and partners take turns to hit the ball.
Points people argue about
- Edge ball: a ball that clips the top edge of the table is good. One that hits the side of the table is out.
- The net in a rally: if the ball clips the net and goes over during a rally, play on. Only a serve is replayed.
- Volleying: hitting the ball before it has bounced on your side loses the point.
- Your free hand: touching the table with it during a rally loses the point.
- Games to 21: fine for the garage table, as long as you agree before you start.
A scoring example
A best-of-five match between Ana and Ben, so the first to win three games wins.
| Game | Ana | Ben |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | 7 |
| 2 | 9 | 11 |
| 3 | 12 | 10 |
| 4 | 11 | 5 |
| Games won | 3 | 1 |
Game 3 reached 10 all, so the serve changed after every point until Ana led by 2 at 12 to 10. Ana won her third game in game 4, so there was no fifth.
Keep score for ping pong in Tallynight
Ping pong is set up for you: games to 11, win by 2, best of three. Tap + for every point a player wins. A new game starts by itself, and the match ends when someone wins two.
Play best of five or one game, or change the points per game to 21 for the old way. Tallynight doesn't track who serves, so use the even-number check above.
- A new game starts by itself, won by 2
- Games won on each player's tile
- One game, best of three or best of five
- Add each pair as a player for doubles
Questions
How many points is a game of ping pong?
11, with a lead of 2. Before 2001 games went to 21, and some home tables still play that way.
How many serves do you get in ping pong?
2 each, then the other player serves 2. From 10 all, the serve changes after every point. In 21-point games it's 5 each.
Do you have to win by 2 in ping pong?
Yes. At 10 all, play on until someone leads by 2, like 12 to 10 or 15 to 13.
Can you score on the other player's serve in ping pong?
Yes. Every rally wins a point, whoever served.
What happens if the serve hits the net in ping pong?
If it clips the net and lands on the receiver's side, it's a let: serve again, with no point. If it doesn't land in, the receiver wins the point.
How many games are in a ping pong match?
An odd number: best of three, five or seven. The first to win more than half of them wins the match.