Rules (Doubles – Table Tennis)

- It is played over a pre-agreed number of games, and the first pair to reach 11 points wins each game.

- The toss of a coin or another form of lot-drawing determines which pair shall serve first.

- In doubles, each player serves twice in turn, but the service must be diagonal — from the server’s right-hand court to the receiver’s right-hand court.

- The serve must be made from an open palm, with the ball tossed at least six inches, then struck so it bounces on the server’s side, clears the net, and lands in the diagonally opposite court on the receiver’s side.

- In doubles, players must hit the ball alternately. Each player in a pair must take turns striking the ball; failure to do so results in loss of point.

- The order of serving and receiving is fixed at the start of the game and must be maintained throughout. Any mistake in order leads to loss of point.

- Points are decided as usual, and games must be won by two clear points. At 10-10, each player serves once in turn until one pair gains a two-point lead.

- After each game, pairs rotate ends of the table and also change the order of serving and receiving.

- In the deciding game of a match, when either pair reaches five points, the pairs must swap ends of the table.

Scoring:

Scoring is done by forcing the opposing pair into making an error such as hitting the ball long, wide, into the net, or failing to return it.

- A point is awarded if:
    •    The serve is not diagonal or invalid
    •    Players fail to follow the alternating hitting sequence
    •    The ball is volleyed, obstructed, or hit twice

- The edges (lines) of the table are considered “in,” but the sides are not.

Winning the Game:

The winner of the match is the first pair to win the allotted number of games (usually best of three or five).

- To win a game, a pair must reach 11 points with at least a two-point lead.
- If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one pair leads by two points.