How does scoring work in table tennis?

B · Beginner · Scoring and winning · 1 of 6

Checked 13 October 2026

A game is won by the first player to reach 11 points. If the score gets to 10-10, play goes on until one player leads by 2. Every rally scores a point for one player or the other, whoever served, so there is no need to be serving to score.

How it works

A point is scored on every rally that is not a let.
First to 11 wins the game.
At 10-10, the game is won by the first player or pair to gain a 2-point lead. There is no cap.
The umpire calls the server's score first.

Tricky cases

Is a game to 11 or to 21?

To 11. The Laws set 11 points. Games to 21 are the older format.

Is it called "deuce" at 10-10?

Not in the Laws. Deuce is common usage for 10-10; the umpire calls the score, "10-10".

Is there a limit on how long a game can go after 10-10?

No. Play continues until someone leads by 2. If a game runs past 10 minutes, the expedite system may come in.

Why the rule exists

Short games to 11 keep every point important and give the trailing player a fresh start often. The 2-point margin means a game is never decided by a single lucky point at the end.

Where it differs

Where	What changes	Source
ITTF Laws	11 points, lead of 2	L2.11.1
Games to 21	Not in the current Laws	C

From the rule book

ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws 2.5.3, 2.5.4 and 2.11; Regulation 3.4.1.1. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITTF Statutes (PDF).