Table tennis scoring
Table tennis is scored on every rally to 11 points per game, won by two clear points, over a best-of odd number of games.
Overview
Table tennis uses rally scoring: the winner of each rally scores a point regardless of who served. A player wins a point when the opponent fails to make a legal return, so points are scored quickly throughout a game.
Games are played to 11 points with a two-point winning margin, and service alternates at fixed intervals. A match is played over an odd number of games so it always produces a winner without ties.
How it works
- A point is scored on every rally by the side that wins it.
- A game is won by the first player to 11 points with a lead of at least two.
- If the score reaches 10-all, play continues until one player leads by two points.
- Service switches to the other player every two points, and every point once the score is 10-all.
- A match is decided over an odd number of games so a winner is always produced.
Where it’s used
Sports that use table tennis scoring:
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Rules
- LetA call that stops a point and has it replayed without penalty, used across several racket sports.
- Tennis serving rulesThe rules governing how a tennis point begins, including where the server stands and where the serve must land.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
Learning paths
- Learn Table TennisA structured, educational learning path for table tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn TennisA structured, educational learning path for tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn PadelA structured, educational learning path for padel — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn BadmintonA structured, educational learning path for badminton — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn FootballA structured, educational learning path for football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
Skills
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- Returning serveThe skill of reading and playing back an opponent’s serve to stay in the rally.
Equipment
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Shin guardsProtective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
Techniques
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Tennis ServeThe overhead stroke that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
- Badminton SmashA powerful, steeply downward overhead stroke that drives the shuttlecock sharply into the opponent's court to win the rally.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Scoring system
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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