2. Table tennis is a great recreational game that is popular
all over the world. It is commonly referred to as ping-
pong, but it is also a sport played with paddles (officially
called bats) and a small plastic ball. The rules of the game
require play to start with a serve and the receiver must hit
the ball back over the net so that it hits the other side of
the table.

3. The Serve
The table tennis ball is put into play when one player serves the
ball to his opponent. On a successful serve, the player will toss
the ball into the air and hit the ball with either a forehand or
backhand stroke so that it strikes the table before it reaches the
net, goes over the net and then hits the opponent's side of the net.
After this happens, the other player may return the ball and a rally
may develop. The return must go over the net and strike the
opponent's side of the net only. The play goes on in this manner
until one player cannot return a shot successfully.

4. Game Format
Games are played to 11 or 21 points. Most games go to 21 points.
A match is usually determined by the player who can win three
games in a best-of-five match up. In each game, whoever serves
first will serve for the first five points of the game. Then the other
player will serve the next five points. Serves will alternate in this
manner until the game is complete. Whoever served last in the
previous game will receive serve first in the next game. All games
must be decided by a margin of two points.

5. Overtime Rules
If a game is tied 20-20 (or 10-10), players will alternate serves
after each point. The server will serve one point and the
receiver will serve the next point. If the server of the first point
after the score is tied wins that point and the next, he wins the
match. In order to win a tied match, one player will have to win
two consecutive points after the score is tied.

6. Overtime Rules
If a game is tied 20-20 (or 10-10), players will alternate serves
after each point. The server will serve one point and the
receiver will serve the next point. If the server of the first point
after the score is tied wins that point and the next, he wins the
match. In order to win a tied match, one player will have to win
two consecutive points after the score is tied.