Intramural Sports
Ping Pong Tournament Rules
Please follow these guidelines throughout the entire tournament. The games are selfofficiated so please be fair and cooperative. Any problems should be immediately
reported to the Supervisor. The Supervisor has the final authority over the entire
tournament and its participants.
Please show up 15 minutes early for your scheduled heat
1. Matches are the best 2 out of 3 games
2. The serve and side will be decided with a coin toss, choosing heads or tails.
Switch roles for game #2, and flip again for a game #3 if necessary
3. After deciding the serve, each player will serve 5 points, then switch
4. If a player serves a net ball (called a let serve), the point is replayed. (There are
no limits to the number of let serves a player may serve)
5. The server in singles can serve anywhere: short, long, straight, or cross-court
6. A shot off your racquet hand is legal provided it strike below the wrist
7. If your shot hits the wall, the ceiling, or misses the opponent’s side of the table,
you lose the point
8. If you are unable to return a shot due to the constraints of your surroundings, it is
still scored as a point for your opponent (each player must put up with the same
surroundings)
9. Change ends of the table after each game & when a player reaches 11 in game #3
10. If your opponent distracts you by talking or yelling while the ball is in play, you
may chose to take the point for yourself. Good sportsmanship is expected
11. Games are played to 21 points, or win by 2 points thereafter
12. A point is scored on every proper serve
13. At 20-20, the serving will revert back to basic ping pong rules
14. A player cannot lose the game on their serve
15. If a player is more than 5 minutes late for their match they forfeit the first game, if
they are more than 10 minutes late, they forfeit that match
16. Shake hands after each match to show good sportsmanship
Be respectful, show good sportsmanship, and be fair!
Each player must initial their score card after each match indicating agreement upon
all final scores before submitting them to the tournament directors.
The top 2 players from each pool will advance to the next round
The top 2 players will be determined by their overall record. If records result in a tie,
your scores from head-to-head matches will be considered, then point differentials will be
taken into account.