Table tennis scoring, explained for beginners
Games go to 11, win by two. Players alternate serve every two points. Matches are best of an odd number of games — three, five, or seven.
How do you score points in table tennis?
A rally ends when someone fails to return the ball legally — whoever wins the rally scores the point, no matter who served.
Who serves, and how often does it change?
The server alternates every two points. From 10–10 onwards the serve changes after every point, and you must still win by two.
How do you win a game and a match?
First to 11 points wins the game, by two clear points. A match is the best of an odd number of games — usually three or five, seven in some tournaments.
What is a let in table tennis?
A let is a rally that gets replayed — most often when the serve touches the net but still lands legally. There is no limit on lets in table tennis.
Ready to play?
Sign up free and start finding players at courts near you.
iPhone + Apple Watch
Score live from your wrist. Every match lands in your account.
Download on the App StoreAndroid
Get on the list and we'll send your Play invite. Wear OS scoring included.