How to Play Table-Tennis

Don't know how to play table tennis (also known as ping-pong)? Then this is for you.

1. Find someone to play with. Begin by playing someone who is at about your skill level or a tad better so that you can have fun by learning how to play. You can play 1 v 1, or you can play with two teams of two, which is known as doubles. And you want someone who has ping pong balls, paddles, and a table if you don't have the materials!

2. Start playing by serving the ball.
Hit the ball with the paddle so that it hits your side of the table and then goes over the net and hits your opponent's side. The serve switches sides every two points. After two points have been awarded (to you or your opponent), your opponent then gets to serve. After another two more points are awarded, the original server then serves.

(A table tennis match in Rio de Janeiro, 2007)

3. Return the ball. After a serve or return, the ball may be returned over or around the net to the opponent's side of the table. The ball must be returned after it bounces once on your side, but before it bounces twice or hits the floor or any object off the table. If the ball hits the net on a return, but still goes over the net and lands on your opponent's side, the ball is still in play, and your opponent must return it or you get a point.

4. Score points. Points are awarded for each rally, and either person can score a point. 
Here's how your opponent can score:

1. If your serve goes into the net or goes off the table without hitting the opponent's side, the receiving opponent or team scores a point.
2. If you do not make a legal return, a point is awarded to your opponent.
3. If you receive a legal serve or return and hit the ball more than once with your paddle or touch the ball with your body, a point is awarded to your opponent.

Tips to score for yourself:

1. Get your opponent moving. Hit to the left and hit to the right, not just to one side or up the middle.
2. Smack the ball hard and fast so that your opponent has only a split reaction to hit the ball back in time.
3. Work on positioning yourself. There are times where your opponent hits a high and weak shot. Get yourself to hitting the ball to the edge or corner.

5. Win the game. Usually the game to 21 or 15 (alternating server every 5 points). The official rules, however, is to 11 points (alternating server every 2 points). In order to win, one must be ahead by two points. So if the players are tied at 10-10 or 20-20, for example, it is called deuce, and the serve alternates sides after every points instead of after every two points.

Soccerguy77's fact: I played Wii Sports Resort when I was younger, and I remember playing table tennis, but I only played up to 6. Never knew the official rules were up to 11 until I watched real table tennis.

EXTRA VIDEOS: Click play for an epic table tennis rally, and the one below it for a Wii Sports Resort game (PS- The Wii Sports Resort game was not done by me).