Table tennis is a popular sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a fast-paced game that requires skill, strategy, and quick reflexes. According to the official table tennis laws, a player can win a game by scoring 11 points, with one point awarded for each violation. Each player can serve twice in a row and the first to score 11 points will be declared the winner.
A point is also awarded to a player when the opponent doesn't make a correct serve. A player can only earn one point at a time, regardless of who is serving. The odd scoring system (21 points or 11 points) is used in table tennis to prevent games from lasting forever. If the score reaches 10-10, the game could theoretically last forever, since players need to have a 2-point difference to close the game.
In order to score the maximum number of points in a single game of table tennis, players must understand the rules and regulations of the game. A point is awarded when the ball hits the opponent's side of the table, as long as it does not hit the side of the table or go out of bounds. If a best-of-five game is played and a player reaches 3 games, he will win, because the most his opponent can achieve is two. If you touch the surface of the table with your free hand (the one that doesn't hold a paddle) during a rally, your opponent will automatically receive a point. During a serve, if the ball hits the net but still bounces off the opponent's side of the table, the point is a let (meaning you have to play it again).
During a rally, if the ball hits the net but bounces off the opponent's side of the table, the rally continues, but if the ball hits the net and doesn't reach the other half of the table, the receiver automatically receives a point. It's perfectly legal to hit the ball around the net, as long as it doesn't hit the side of the table. Therefore, it is perfectly legal to serve from outside the side lines of the table, as long as the ball remains behind the final line at the start of the serve. Under International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules, players must reach 11 points and have 2 points difference with their opponent in order to win a game (also known as a set). Some tournaments have additional rules for ending a game once a player reaches 21 points to save time. In addition to understanding and following all official rules and regulations for scoring points in table tennis, players must also learn and abide by “the rule of etiquette” in order to ensure fair play and respect for all players.
