ping pong
Prepare for the ultimate paddle battle at Mexicairns!
Join us for some pong action and let the games begin!
Ping pong, also known as table tennis, is a fast-paced and exciting indoor sport played on a specialised table divided by a net. Players use small, lightweight paddles to hit a lightweight ball back and forth across the table, aiming to out manoeuver and outscore their opponent.
The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net in such a way that the opponent is unable to return it properly within the rules.
The objective is to score points by hitting the ball over the net in such a way that the opponent is unable to return it properly within the rules.
House rules
THE GAME
Team formation
You can play ping pong in singles or doubles
Turns
One player or team starts by serving the ball to the opposing team. After 2 scored serves the serve changes to the opposite team. If playing doubles, one player does both serves.
THE RULES
Serve
Each point begins with a serve, where the ball must be tossed vertically at least 6 inches before being struck. The serve must bounce once on the server’s side of the table, then once on the opponent’s side.
Scoring
A point is scored when the opponent fails to return the ball over the net or commits a fault. First to hit 11 points wins, but if it’s tied at 10-10, keep going until someone’s ahead by 2.
Let
If the ball touches the net during a serve but still lands in the opponent's court, it is called a let, and the serve is retaken without penalty.
If it gets stuck in the net or flies off the table, it’s your opponent’s point.
Alternate shots
Players take turns hitting the ball back and forth, with each player allowed only one consecutive hit.
Doubles play
In doubles matches, players on each team alternate hitting the ball, and the ball must alternate between players on the same team.
Legal hits
The ball must be struck with the paddle so that it touches the server's side of the table first, then passes over or around the net and touches the opponent's side. Shots that hit the net and still land on the opponent's side are considered legal.
Illegal Hits
Players must avoid hitting the ball out of bounds or obstructing their opponent's play. Hitting the ball before it bounces on one's side of the table, failing to let the ball bounce at least once on one's side, or hitting the ball twice in succession are all considered faults.
WINNING
WINNING A SET
The set ends once a player or team are both above 10 points and more than 2 points above the opposing team.
WINNING A GAME
The game is won by the best of 5 sets or the one who wins 3 sets. If you don't have enough time to get to 5 sets, it is the player or team with the highest number of sets won and may end with a draw.