by Branden Barrett

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

Scoring in ping pong is similar to how one would score in many other racket based games. The key is to either get the ball past your opponent or force them to hit the ball into the net or out of bounds. Umpires have a difficult job though, as it is tough to sometimes catch every single inch of the action. Unlike tennis, which has multiple line judges, ping pong basically just has one umpire. There is also a scorekeeper, which keeps track of how many points each player has. Games are usually played in best of 5 games, with the first to get to 11 in each game being the winner; it is also important to note that you must win by two points (11-9, 12-10, 13-11, etc.) To follow ping pong, whether or on television or at your local table, you must know how a point is scored.

There are ten ways for a point to be scored in ping pong and understanding each of them will help you to enjoy the game more:

A point is awarded if the ball bounces on a player's side more than once. What this means is that you must strike the ball by the first bounce or it will result in a point going to the other player. This rule is the same for both players. Also, if a player places their free hand on the table then a point is awarded to the other player. Your "free" hand is the hand that is not currently holding the racket. Placing your hand on the table has been known to give an advantage to that player because of the extra leverage it gives. Putting your hand on the table can also give you the chance to move the table to your advantage. It is because of these reasons that a "no touch" rule was put in place. If you truly want to make good use of that free hand, then use it to add momentum to your shots.

The third way to score deals with failing to get a serve over the net, which will result in a point to the other player. This is not to be confused with a "let," which is when the ball hits the net and goes to the opponent's side. A player may re-serve an indefinite number of times following a let, provided it goes to the other side. If the ball does not cross your side of the table a point is then awarded to the opponent. Also, touching the net with either your body or the racket will result in a point to the opposing player.

It is important to remember that volleys do not exist in ping pong. Hitting the ball before it bounces on a player's side of the table will result in a point to the opposite player. Unlike in tennis where you are allowed to hit a ball before it bounces on your side, ping

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