How table tennis scoring works

A game goes to 11 points. You also need to be 2 points ahead, so 11–10 isn't over yet, but 12–10 is.

Every rally gives a point to someone. You don't have to be serving to score.

You serve 2 points in a row, then your opponent serves 2. At 10–10 the serve changes after every point.

A match is usually the best of 5 or 7 games.

Sources: ITTF — Laws of Table Tennis

Quick quiz

1. The score is 11–10. What happens?

  1. The game is over
  2. Play on until someone leads by 2
  3. The game restarts
Show the answer

Play on until someone leads by 2. You must win by 2 points, so play continues until one player leads by 2.

2. How many points does a player serve in a row?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 5
Show the answer

2. Since 2001 the serve changes every 2 points. At 10–10 it changes every point.

3. Can the receiver win a point?

  1. Yes, every rally scores
  2. No, only the server scores
Show the answer

Yes, every rally scores. Every rally gives a point to one player, whoever served.

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