Table tennis
A ready-made paddle, a few three-star balls and a drop-in session at a club. The first sessions are about rallying, a legal serve and games to 11.
What it is like
Table tennis is played on a table 2.74 metres long with a net 15.25 centimetres high, using small paddles and a light 40 mm ball. Rallies are short and fast, and the game rewards quick hands and good control more than strength.
It is one of the easiest sports to start: recreation centres and clubs run drop-in sessions for a few dollars, some provide paddles, and a ready-made paddle and a few balls are all you need to buy.
The serve has rules that casual players often skip (the ball has to go straight up from an open palm, at least 16 centimetres), and spin is what separates a beginner from a club player. Games go to 11 points, and the serve changes every two points.
From there, people play doubles, join leagues and tournaments, or keep a weekly game with the same friends for years. It is low-impact, but a warm-up and a floor clear of stray balls still matter.
- A session
- An hour or two at a club.
- A week
- One to three sessions once you are hooked.
- Season
- All year, indoors.
Indoors · For two, A club, With kids
Kinds and styles
One against one; the usual club game.
Partners hit the ball in turn, and the serve goes diagonally from the right half to the right half.
Drop-in sessions, practice partners and coaching.
Matches of best of five or seven games against players of your level.
Weatherproof park tables and folding home tables for casual play.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You want quick reactions and short, intense rallies
- There is a club or recreation centre with tables near you
- You like a sport that works all year, whatever the weather
Maybe not, if
- You want a big outdoor workout
- You have nobody to play with and no club nearby
- A small, fast ball frustrates you
What to buy first
- 01Pre-assembled recreational paddleRubbers already glued on; some clubs provide paddles for the first sessionFind it on Amazon$31
- 02Six three-star 40+ ballsThe 40 mm plastic ball used in competitionFind it on Amazon$10
- 03Club drop-in sessionTables, nets and other players$6
- Everything you need to beginAbout $40 a month after that$47
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01Paddle caseKeeps the rubbers clean and flatFind it on Amazon First month
- 02Rubber cleanerDust kills grip on the ballFind it on Amazon First month
- 03Indoor court shoesGrip on sports-hall floorsFind it on Amazon Once you play weekly
- 04A dozen ballsCheaper per ballFind it on Amazon For practice
- 05Custom blade and rubbersChosen to suit the style you have developed After a season or two
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
From your first rally to a game to 11, step by step
Table tennis began as a Victorian after-dinner game in England (Wikipedia) and is still easy to start at a club table. This guide goes from finding a drop-in and choosing a ready-made paddle to the rally, the legal serve, spin and scoring, and on to doubles and league play.
Warning: Before you start Table tennis is a low-impact sport, but the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that cold muscles are more prone to injury, so warm up for a few minutes and stretch before playing. Keep the floor around the table clear of stray balls, which are easy to step on, and leave room between tables. We do not give medical advice; see a doctor about pain that does not go away.
Recreation centres and clubs run them; Los Alamitos, California, charges $6 a person, and Ankeny, Iowa, $5 for a day pass.
Short, controlled strokes, letting the ball bounce once on your side.
Toss the ball straight up from an open palm at least 16 cm, from behind the end line, and hit it so it bounces on your side first, then on your opponent's (Wikipedia, Table tennis).
Service changes every two points, and every point once both players reach 10.
A game goes to 11 points with a two-point lead.
The table and a legal serve
From above: a table 2.74 m by 1.525 m with the net across the middle and a centre line along its length; a serve tossed from behind the server's end line bounces first on the server's side, then on the receiver's side.
- A Centre line Doubles serves Right half to right half. Step 8 →
- B Net 15.25 cm high Across the middle. Step 5 →
- C First bounce Server's side Then the other side. Step 5 →
- D End line Serve from behind Ball above the table. Step 5 →
Steps 1-2Before you play
- Step 1 of 8 · Before you play
Find a table
Look for drop-in play at a recreation centre or club; Los Alamitos, California, charges $6 a person, and Ankeny, Iowa, a $5 day pass for non-members.
Most people: a club or recreation centre drop-in (first time).
Start here A club or recreation centre drop-inBest forFirst time
Good tables, other players and sometimes loaner paddles.
A park or home tableBest forCasual play
Fine for fun, but nobody to learn from.
- Step 2 of 8 · Before you play
Choose a paddle and balls
A pre-assembled paddle has the rubbers already glued on; Paddle Palace sells the Donic Waldner 600 and 700 for $27.95 and $34.95. Buy 40 mm plastic balls marked 40+.
Most people: pre-assembled recreational paddle (beginners).
Start here Pre-assembled recreational paddleBest forBeginners
Ready to play and forgiving.
Custom blade and rubbersBest forLater
Worth it once you know your style.
Not for a first try
Steps 3-7At the table
- Step 3 of 8 · At the table
Warm up
A few minutes of light movement and gentle stretches; cold muscles are more prone to injury (AAOS).
- Step 4 of 8 · At the table
Rally
Forehand to forehand, then backhand to backhand, with short strokes; the ball bounces once on your side before you hit it.
- Step 5 of 8 · At the table
Serve legally
Hold the ball on a flat, open palm behind the end line and above the table, toss it straight up at least 16 cm, and strike it on the way down so it bounces on your side first and then on your opponent's, without touching the net (Wikipedia, Table tennis).
Goes wrong: Throwing the ball up from your fingers or hiding it with your body. Both are faults.
- Step 6 of 8 · At the table
Keep score
A game is won by the first to 11 points with a two-point lead. The serve changes every two points, and every point once both players reach 10.
- Step 7 of 8 · At the table
Learn about spin
Topspin dips the ball, backspin makes it float and drop; watch the opponent's paddle and adjust the angle of yours.
Step 8Keep going
- Step 8 of 8 · Keep going
Keep going
Play every week, try doubles and join a league or club ladder.
Most people: club practice and coaching (steady progress).
Start here Club practice and coachingBest forSteady progress
Drills and partners at your level.
Leagues and tournamentsBest forA goal
Best of five or seven games.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Throwing the ball up from your fingers or hiding it with your body.
- Step 5 · Serve legally
How you get better
- Day 1A drop-in session
Rallies, a legal serve and a few games to 11.
- First monthYour own paddle
Forehand and backhand drives and the push.
- First seasonSpin
Topspin, serve spin and reading your opponent's.
- After thatYour own direction
League matches, tournaments or the same friendly game every week.
- Forehand drive
- Backhand drive
- Push
- A legal serve
- Serve return
- Topspin
- Footwork
- Reading spin
- Doubles order
Small things that help
- Toss the serve straight up from a flat, open palm.
- Keep the ball behind the end line and above the table when serving.
- Watch the opponent's paddle to read the spin.
- Use short strokes; table tennis rewards control.
- Return to a ready position between shots.
- Count the serve changes out loud: two each.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Serving from the hand without a tossCommon in casual games, but technically illegal; the ball must go up at least 16 cm.
- 02Hiding the serveThe opponent must see the ball throughout the serve.
- 03Swinging too bigLong strokes send the ball long. Keep them compact.
- 04Ignoring spinA ball that keeps going into the net is usually backspin. Open the paddle face.
- 05Skipping the warm-upCold muscles are more prone to injury (AAOS).
The table, the ball and the score
From the international rules as Wikipedia's table tennis article summarises them.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Table | 2.74 m long, 1.525 m wide, 76 cm high |
| Net | 15.25 cm high |
| Ball | 40 mm, 2.7 g |
| Serve | Tossed at least 16 cm from an open palm, from behind the end line; bounces on your side, then theirs |
| Game | 11 points, win by 2; serve changes every 2 points, every point from 10-10 |
Why people quit
- 01Spin makes no senseServes with heavy spin fly off the paddle at first. Club coaching and practice partners explain them quickly.
- 02Nobody to play withClub drop-ins pair you with players of your level.
- 03Ball everywhereRallies end with balls under tables. A few spare balls keep the session moving.
Words you will meet
- Rally
- The exchange of shots after the serve.
- Let
- A rally that is replayed without a point being scored.
- Push
- A short backspin stroke against a low, backspin ball.
- Topspin
- Forward spin that makes the ball dip and kick on the bounce.
- Backspin
- Reverse spin that makes the ball float and drop.
- End line
- The short edge of the table; you serve from behind it.
- Centre line
- The line down the middle of the table, used only for doubles serves.
- Pre-assembled paddle
- A paddle sold with the rubbers already glued to the blade.
Questions people ask
Do I need my own paddle?
Not at first; some clubs provide them. A pre-assembled paddle costs about $28 to $35 at Paddle Palace.
What balls should I buy?
40 mm plastic balls marked 40+, three-star for match quality; six cost about $6 to $13.
How does scoring work?
Games go to 11 with a two-point lead; the serve changes every two points, and every point after 10-10.
Is it ping-pong or table tennis?
The same game; Ping-Pong began as a trademark in 1901, so other makers used the name table tennis.
Can children play?
Yes; it is played by people of all levels and ages.
Where to go next
How it compares
| Table tennis | Tennis | Badminton | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $47 | $214 | $105 | $88 |
| Each month | $40 | $50 | $30 | $50 |
| Space | A club or a room with a table | A tennis court | A gym court | A pickleball court |
| Noise | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| First result | 1 drop-in session | A few lessons before real rallies | 1 drop-in session | 1 drop-in session |
| Mess | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean |
Where to learn more
- 01Wikipedia: Table tennisThe equipment, the service rules and scoring in detail.
- 02City of Los Alamitos: Table Tennis ClubAn example of a city drop-in programme.
- 03AAOS OrthoInfo: Tennis injury preventionWarm-up advice that applies to any racket sport.
Sources: Wikipedia, Table tennis · City of Los Alamitos, Table Tennis Club · City of Ankeny, Drop-in table tennis · Paddle Palace, Recreational paddles and balls · American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo: Tennis injury prevention
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.