Game rules

Different "special" table tennis rules apply at every campsite, company and school. At The Best Ping Pong Player of Haarlem we follow the official rules. If there is any uncertainty during the tournament, the tournament management can help you.
The rules can be found below: 

• The games are played in best-of-five games. This means that if a player has won three games, he has won the game. So a game can be finished after three games, then the result is 3-0, but also 3-1 or 3-2 are possible.

• You must change sides after each game. In the decisive fifth game, the players also switch side as soon as the first player has gained five points. After this, the side is no longer changed.

• A game lasts up to 11 points, with a minimum of two points difference. This means that 11-10 is not possible. That's why you keep playing until there are two points difference. This can therefore be 12-10, but also 26-24.

• Each player serves two times in a row. Then the service goes to the opponent. At 10-10 the service changes after every point.

• You serve from behind the table, but it doesn't matter which half. The ball must first bounce on your own half and then on the opponent's half.

• If the service hits the net through your half and he bounces on half of the opponent, then a net service applies. The service then passes without one of the players getting a point.

• If the ball bounces twice on the table half of the opponent you have a point.

• If the ball bounces on the half of your opponent through the net, this is a valid blow and the game continues as normal.

• The ball is good if it goes on the edge of the table half of your opponent. A ball on the side of the table is not valid and you lose the point.

• Another player (from the pool) keeps track of the score during the match, with the help of a scoreboard.

• You enter the game results on the competition form.

• The competition forms must be handed in afterwards to the competition management.

• With a tie, the mutual result between the players will be the decider.

• If more than one player ends up equal, the mutual results will first be considered. If this does not provide a result then the mutual games are considered. If this is still the same, the total number of points in the mutual matches will be considered. The next step is to watch all matches from the pool, where the games first and then the points apply. In the very unlikely event that this is also the same, draws will be made.

Of course there will be a detailed explanation at the start of the tournament and you can always contact the competition management for questions.