Table tennis scoring and serve rules
A table tennis game is played to 11 points, and every rally scores. The serve changes every two points, and from 10-10 it changes after every point.
Below: how a game is won, the serve rotation, changing ends and a worked example.
Games to 11, won by two
The first player to 11 points wins the game, but they need a two-point lead. From 10-10 play continues until someone leads by two: 12-10, 13-11 and so on.
Serve rotation
Each player serves two points in a row, then the serve passes to the opponent. From 10-10 the serve alternates after every point.
The player who served first in a game receives first in the next game.
Changing ends
Players change ends after each game. In the deciding game of a match they also change ends when the first player reaches 5 points.
Matches
A match is played as the best of an odd number of games. Traicker scores a single game or a best-of-three or best-of-five match.
Worked example: serving at the end of a close game
Your Team served first in this game. This is how the serve moves at the end of it.
| Score | What happens |
|---|---|
| 9-9 | Opponents serve the first of their two points. |
| 10-9 | Your Team wins the point. Opponents serve again, and it is game point to Your Team. |
| 10-10 | Opponents level the score. From now on the serve changes after every point, and a two-point lead is needed. |
| 11-10 | Your Team serves and wins the point. |
| 11-11 | Opponents serve and level again. |
| 12-11 | Your Team serves and wins the point. |
| 13-11 | Opponents serve, and Your Team wins the point and the game 13-11. |
Your Team served first in this game, so Opponents serve first in the next one.
Frequently asked questions
How many serves does each player get in table tennis?
Two in a row, then the serve passes to the opponent. From 10-10 each player serves one point at a time.
What happens at 10-10 in table tennis?
The game continues until one player leads by two points, and the serve changes after every point.
Who serves first in the next game?
The player who received first in the previous game. Players take turns serving first from one game to the next.
When do players change ends in table tennis?
After every game, and in the deciding game of the match when the first player reaches 5 points.
Is table tennis played to 11 or 21 points?
To 11, with a two-point lead. Games to 21 belong to the old rules, though Traicker can still score them if you want to.
Score it on your Apple Watch
Traicker applies these rules for you: one tap per point on your iPhone or Apple Watch, even offline. Scoring is free.