Table Tennis Doubles Rules

The table tennis doubles rules are actually quite easy to absorb if you already understand how the singles game is played. Sometimes matches have special rules like no switching sides on the same team but the official doubles rules in table tennis are exactly the same when it comes to scoring and playing sets. The main challenge is not figuring out the rules, the main challenge is adjusting your game while standing ass to elbow with a team partner who is clumsy or sucks.

1. Primer. Though table tennis doubles rules are the same it is good to go over them for clarity. Game sets are played to eleven. Two points are needed to win. Each game set win equals one point in the overall total of the game. Games consist of either five or seven sets. When you serve the ball has to hit your side first, bounce over the net and then hit the other side of the table. If the ball hits the net during a serve but makes it over to the other side, the player gets to retake the serve again. If the ball hits the net during play and makes it over to the other side, play resumes as usual without penalty.       
2. Doubles serving rules. The only real variations in table tennis doubles rules from the singles game is how you serve. Basically you have to serve to the player that standing diagonally across the table from you. Notice the square in front of you? When serving, you must hit inside that square first, get the ball over the net and then hit inside the square diagonally across the table from you. Also, on the last game it is customary to switch sides after five points are scored.