The Playbook

Tournament Rules & Format

Everything you need to know before you step up to the table

Phase 1 — Pool Play

  • Round-robin format — you play everyone in your league over 5 weeks
  • Best of 3 games — first to 2 games wins the match
  • Each game is played to 11 points (win by 2)
  • Match scores (2-0 or 2-1) are recorded for tiebreakers
  • Pool standings determine seeding for the playoff bracket

Phase 2 — Playoffs

  • Top players advance based on pool play standings
  • Single-elimination bracket format
  • Best of 3 games — same format as pool play
  • Seeds are based on win/loss record and tiebreakers

Tiebreakers

When two players have the same win-loss record, ties are broken in this order:

  1. 1. Head-to-Head — The winner of the match between the two tied players gets the higher seed
  2. 2. Set Winning % — Percentage of individual games (sets) won out of total games played. A player who wins more 2-0 matches will have a better set percentage than one who wins 2-1
  3. 3. Strength of Schedule (SOS) — The average win percentage of all opponents faced. A tougher schedule is rewarded if the first two tiebreakers are still equal

Scheduling

  • Match schedules will be shared after pools are drawn
  • Players are responsible for scheduling their pool matches
  • All pool matches must be completed within the deadline
  • No-shows forfeit the match

Sportsmanship

  • Players call their own lines — be honest
  • Have fun, keep it friendly, and respect your opponent
  • Disputes should be resolved between players or escalated to the organizer
  • All standard ITTF rules apply
Official Rules

ITTF Table Tennis Rules

The official Laws of Table Tennis as set by the International Table Tennis Federation

Scoring & Match Format

  • Games to 11: A game is won by the first player (or pair) to reach 11 points
  • Win by Two: If the score is tied at 10-10 (deuce), play continues until one side gains a two-point lead
  • Match Structure: Our tournament uses best-of-three (first to 2 games). Official ITTF events use best-of-five or best-of-seven
  • Point Awards: You score a point if your opponent fails to make a legal return, hits the ball into the net or off the table, or touches the table with their free hand

Service Rules

  • The Toss: The ball must rest on an open, flat palm and be tossed vertically at least 16 cm (6 inches) into the air before being struck
  • Contact: Strike the ball behind the table's end line and above the playing surface. It must bounce once on your side and then once on the opponent's side
  • Visibility: The ball and racket must remain visible to the opponent throughout the entire service
  • Rotation: Servers switch every 2 points. At 10-10, players alternate service after every single point
  • Let Serves: If a legal serve touches the net and lands on the opponent's side, it is a "let" and is replayed. No limit on let serves

Singles vs. Doubles

Feature Singles Doubles
Service Direction Anywhere on the opponent's side Must be diagonal — from server's right half-court to receiver's right half-court
Hitting Order Either player can hit any legal return Partners must alternate hits during a rally
Service Rotation Two points per server After two serves, the receiver becomes the server, and the former server's partner becomes the receiver

Equipment & Playing Surface

  • The Table: Standard dimensions are 2.74 m long, 1.525 m wide, and 76 cm high
  • The Racket: Must be matte black on one side and a brightly colored rubber (red, blue, green, pink, or violet) on the other, distinguishable from the ball
  • The Ball: Must be 40 mm in diameter, weigh 2.7 g, and be white or orange with a matte finish

Got it? Good. Now go sign up.

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