The different ways to play table tennis
Table tennis is incredibly versatile and can be played in many different ways. Traditional, solo, competitive or a fun version for children: there really is something for everyone. Table tennis can be discovered and reinvented at every level of play. How do you combine fun and physical activity, and what formats of play are available in table tennis?
The traditional game of table tennis
For two or four players, what could be more enjoyable than a game of table tennis? Whether you are a beginner, an amateur or a professional, this format of play suits everyone. For indoor playing, choose an indoor table tennis table that fits your available space. Outdoor table tennis tables, far more robust and resistant, are the best choice for a dynamic playing experience. For professionals, competition table tennis tables guarantee robustness and stability. For those looking for a table tennis table that is as stylish as it is high-performing, Cornilleau's Play-Style ping pong tables convert into a dining table and blend naturally into any outdoor space.
The rules of table tennis
The first step is to hold your table tennis bat correctly. Very popular in Asia, the penhold grip involves holding the handle of the bat in the same way as a pen between your fingers. The classic European grip involves wrapping the three lower fingers around the handle and pinching the blade with the thumb on one side and the index finger on the other. Choose the grip that feels most comfortable. In all cases, make sure your wrist is as flexible as possible. Your hand must be relaxed and loose to give your movements more power and precision. Once you are holding your table tennis bat correctly, decide who will serve first. You can choose between singles and doubles play. In singles, you can send the ball anywhere on the other side of the net.
In doubles, the first server is decided by the team that wins the toss, and the first receiver is then decided by the opposing team. The server must serve diagonally to the right, meaning the ball must first bounce on the server's right half of the table and then on the receiver's right half. Each player must then hit the ball in turn. The change of server follows this order: the receiver becomes the server, and the server's partner becomes the receiver, and so on. Keep the rally going as long as you like and above all enjoy yourself! In a match, the winner of a game is the player or team who first reaches 11 points with at least a 2-point lead over the opponent.
Continue your exchanges as many times as necessary, and above all, have fun! If you play a match, remember that the winner of a set is the person who wins the first three games. A game is won in 11 points. The winner needs to gain at least a 2-point lead over the opposing team.
Round the table tennis
Round the table requires at least three players. The players position themselves on either side of the table tennis table. The side with more players serves first. The principle of the game is to hit the ball while circling around the table tennis table. When a player misses a ball, they place their table tennis bat on the table. If a player still in the game bounces the ball onto the bat, the eliminated player can rejoin the game. Once only two players remain, they play a short match to determine the winner. As a rule, play is first to 3 points to keep things moving.
Beer pong: the rules of the table tennis party game
Beer pong is a skill game enjoyed by players at parties and social gatherings. The aim is to throw a table tennis ball into a cup filled with a drink. Each time the ball lands inside a cup, the opposing team must drink its contents. The cups are arranged in a triangle on both sides of the table tennis table and must be touching. The player designated to throw keeps their elbows behind the edge of the table. It is possible to rearrange the cups at any point during the game, placing them where they would have been had they not moved. The team that manages to hit all of the opposing team's cups wins the game. Choose an outdoor table tennis table, which is more resistant and better suited to this kind of lively recreational activity. Please drink responsibly.
Playing table tennis on your own
Table tennis can be played by a single player, even though it is much more enjoyable to play against real partners. All our table tennis tables are designed to allow solo practice. They allow one half of the playing surface to be folded upright. In the raised position, the table top allows you to practise by bouncing the ball off a flat, elevated surface. The advantage of this form of practice is that you can train whatever your level. You can therefore adapt your speed and movements to suit your preferences. All Cornilleau table tennis tables (with the exception of fixed institutional tables) are designed to allow solo practice.
Table tennis games for children
Long rallies can sometimes be difficult for children. Rather than creating frustration, why not offer some new formats of play? There are a variety of table tennis exercises for children that are genuinely fun while helping to develop dexterity and bat control. For a playing space that combines conviviality and aesthetics, Cornilleau's design table tennis tables are equally at home in compact indoor spaces and on outdoor terraces.
The hoop game in table tennis
The hoop game is entertainment at its finest. Start by placing five hoops at different distances. The first hoop marks the shooting zone. The aim is to hit the table tennis ball from the shooting zone into the second hoop, then the third, and so on until the last. Fun and enjoyable, this game develops concentration and precision.
Discover our Hobby mini table, specially designed for children.
The multi-ball game in table tennis
The multi-ball game is ideal for older or more experienced children. Each player holds a table tennis ball in their hand. One player counts to three, then both players serve at the same time, trying to keep both balls going back and forth for as long as possible. This continuous exchange encourages a sense of cooperation. Once only one ball remains in play, the two players become opponents and compete until one wins. Table tennis knows no limits. Discover, try out and adopt the formats of play that give you the most enjoyment.
[FAQ] Frequently asked questions about ways to play table tennis
Where can you play table tennis for free?
Many councils, parks and public spaces offer free outdoor table tennis tables available to everyone. To find one near you, check with your local council or use leisure and parks apps to locate nearby facilities. Cornilleau is one of the leading suppliers of table tennis tables for public and institutional use across Europe, with numerous installations in parks, campsites and public spaces throughout the country.
What is the bounce rule in beer pong?
In beer pong, some rule variations include a bounce rule. If a player intentionally bounces the table tennis ball off the table tennis table before it lands in a cup, the throwing team is typically allowed to remove two cups instead of one. This rule varies between groups of players but is generally accepted when agreed upon before the game begins.
What is Australian beer pong?
Australian beer pong is a variation of traditional beer pong in which players do not use a table tennis bat and instead throw the table tennis ball directly by hand. The basic rules remain the same: two teams compete to eliminate the opposing team's cups. This version is often considered more accessible as it requires no equipment other than a table tennis table, cups and table tennis balls.
At what age can children start playing table tennis?
Children can start playing table tennis from around 5 to 6 years old with suitable equipment. The games suggested in this guide, such as the hoop game and the multi-ball game, are particularly well suited to introducing younger players in a fun and engaging way. Cornilleau also offers mini table tennis tables specially designed for children, with smaller dimensions that make rallies more accessible from a very young age.
