how-does-table-tennis-scoring-work

1. Point Scoring Basics
   • In table tennis, a point is awarded when a player fails to make a valid return of the ball. A valid return means that the ball must be hit so that it passes over or around the net and lands on the opponent's side of the table.
   • Service - related Points:
     • Server's Fault: If the server commits an illegal service, the receiver scores a point. Illegal services include not tossing the ball vertically upwards at least 16 cm, hiding the ball during service, or having incorrect footwork during the service motion. Also, if the served ball bounces twice on the server's side before crossing the net, it's a fault, and the receiver gets the point.
     • Receiver's Response: When the server makes a legal serve, the receiver must return the ball. If the receiver fails to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and onto the server's side of the table, the server scores a point. This could be due to missing the ball completely, hitting it out of bounds (beyond the sidelines or end - lines of the server's side), or hitting it into the net.
   • Rally - related Points:
     • During a rally (the sequence of back - and - forth shots after the serve), if a player fails to make a legal return, the opponent scores a point. For example, if a player hits the ball twice in succession (except in some allowed situations like a let), hits the ball with a part of the body other than the racket, or if the ball hits their body or clothing before being hit with the racket, the opponent gets the point. Also, if a player hits the ball into the net or out of bounds during a rally, the opponent scores.
2. Game Scoring
   • A game is typically won by the first player to reach 11 points. However, there is an important condition: the winning player must have a margin of at least 2 points over the opponent.
   • Deuce Situation: If the score reaches 10 - 10 (referred to as “deuce”), the game continues until one player has a 2 - point lead. For instance, the game ends when the score is 12 - 10, 13 - 11, and so on.
3. Match Scoring
   • A match is composed of an odd number of games, commonly 3, 5, or 7 games. The player who wins the majority of the games in the match is declared the winner.
   • For example, in a best - of - 3 - games match, the first player to win 2 games wins the match. In a best - of - 5 - games match, the player who wins 3 games is the victor, and in a best - of - 7 - games match, the player who wins 4 games takes the match.
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