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If you are studying table tennis, you probably want to know how many games the participants play. You can find the answer to this and other questions in our article.
Table tennis originated in England in the late 19th century. Back then, it was a pastime for aristocrats who wanted to spend an evening at home. In the 1890s, John Jacques, a British entrepreneur, registered the name Ping Pong as a trade mark for the first time, which fuelled the spread of the game throughout Europe.
Initially, the rules were very vague – up to five games were played, and the exact number of games in a table tennis match depended on the agreement of the participants. Sometimes the sets lasted until the athletes were exhausted, as there was no strict point limit. At the beginning of the 20th century, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) standardised the rules and the number of games was reduced to a clearer format: up to three or five wins, depending on the level of competition.
In 2001, the ITTF took a major step towards speeding up the game by reducing the maximum number of points per set from 21 to 11. This change brought more dynamism to the game and made it more entertaining and intense.
Today, the number of sets depends on the format of the competition. Most official matches are played to three wins, which means that a match can last up to five games. Each player must score 11 points, but if the score is 10-10, the game continues until one of the players is two points ahead of their opponent. This system makes the end of the game incredibly exciting and keeps spectators breathless.
The scoring system in table tennis has as much to do with tactics as it does with numbers. The scoring is based on the principle of changing serves every two points, which makes the game unpredictable and requires the athletes to stay focussed and adapt quickly to changes.
Let’s start with the basics. The number of games in table tennis is a key element of any match. In official matches, it is common to play to three or five wins, which makes the match dynamic and exciting. The match begins with a draw to determine who serves first. The rules provide for a mandatory change of sides after each set to ensure a level playing field for both participants.
During the match, athletes must strictly adhere to the number of games required to win as well as the rules for serving and changing sides. The winner is the one who wins three out of five sets or four out of seven sets, depending on the level of competition. This number of games makes each match intense, and the strategic distribution of effort is an important factor for success. How is the winner of a table tennis match determined? Simple: you have to win three out of five or four out of seven games, depending on the tournament format.
The stages of the match:
The strategies include both physical preparation and the ability to overpower the opponent psychologically. Multiple world champions such as Ma Lun and Dimitrij Ovcharov often say that the ability to read the opponent and anticipate his actions is the key to success.
In professional tournaments, it is customary to play for three wins, which means that the maximum number of games is five. In some cases, e.g. in the finals of major international tournaments, the game is played to four wins, which means up to seven sets.
The duration of a table tennis match can vary depending on the level and style of play of the players. On average, a game lasts between 5 and 10 minutes, but if the opponents are equally strong, the duration can be longer. The longest official match was recorded in 1936 between Alex Earley and Victor Barna – it lasted over two hours!
Matches generally last between 20 minutes and an hour, but can be longer in particularly stubborn confrontations. Amateur matches are often quicker as they do not require such intensive preparation and concentration.
How do professional players win their matches? One of the most important strategies is to manage the number of sets correctly. Players often decide which games to play with full commitment and which to save in order not to burn out in the decisive moments. Jan Ovcharov sometimes consciously accepts to lose a game in order to recover and come back with a new tactic in the next game.
The psychological factor also plays a major role. The ability to plan the distribution of forces for several sets in advance and to maintain concentration in the decisive moments enables professionals to win even in the event of temporary setbacks. Experienced athletes know that not all sets have to be won at once – sometimes it’s important to take a time-out, slow down the pace and focus on the important moments to stay fresh for the crucial games.
Another popular tactic is to change your style depending on the number of sets remaining. Ma Lun, for example, often adapts his style to the current state of the match: At the beginning, he may play more cautiously to recognise his opponent’s weaknesses, and in the final set he switches to an aggressive attack.
Now you know how many games of table tennis are played and the basic rules of this exciting game. Play a few games with friends or join a local club to try out all these strategies. Table tennis combines physical activity, mental work and incredible energy.
Understanding the rules of tennis, beginners are often lost in the nuances of the score. Why 15, then 30, and then suddenly 40? Where do these numbers come from and what do they mean? Counting points in tennis does seem confusing, and we will try to reveal the system clearly, tell all the subtleties and history.
The history of counting in tennis goes back to medieval Europe. It is believed that the system originally relied on the quarters of a clock, where 15, 30, 45 (later changed to 40) indicated intervals. The prototype of tennis originated in monasteries, where monks used clocks to count off points. But why 40 and not 45? The answer is simple: it was decided to simplify and speed up the game by replacing 45 with a shorter value.
The evolution of the counting system in tennis continued for centuries, becoming more convenient for spectators and players. In 1884, as the game began to take on its modern form, the rules were finally established in the form we know today. This transition to the current system was accompanied by an interesting combination of simplifications and adaptations aimed at improving the spectacle of matches.
As soon as the ball flies over the net, the count begins, and each successful shot earns a player a point. In tennis, each game starts with a zero score (love) and then moves through 15, 30 and 40. The first step is understanding these numbers. A game is won when 40 is reached and a successful draw is made. If both players reach 40, a ‘deuce’ begins, meaning two consecutive points must be won to complete. A set consists of six won games with a difference of at least two. If there is no difference and the score is 6:6, a tie-break is introduced.
A game is the basic unit of score in tennis. To win a game, you need four points, but only if the difference is two points. Think of each game as a mini-fight, like a round in boxing, where players take turns trying to land the decisive blow. The winner of the game gets one point in the set.
When the set reaches 6:6, it’s time for the tie-break, the deciding part where the tennis players battle to win up to seven points. The tie-break plays an important role as it helps to determine the winner under the most intense conditions. But even here there is a two-point rule, which often leads to protracted and extremely tense moments.
Athletes are forced not only to show skill but also incredible stamina, making the tie-break one of the most dramatic parts of the match. The term was introduced in the late 1960s at the initiative of American James van Alen, who wanted to speed up the duration of matches and make them more entertaining for the audience. Since then, this element has become an integral part of the tennis game, adding emotion and unpredictability.
The winner of a tennis match depends on winning two out of three sets (or three out of five in major tournaments). Scoring in tennis often comes down to tense moments when both players are tied on points and the outcome is decided by a few successful strokes. In such situations, each game becomes a real test not only of skill but also of mental toughness.
Factors influencing the victory in a match:
In such cases, every play and every point is of utmost importance. The tournament can be won by those who master technique, remain resilient, think strategically and stay focused in the decisive moments.
At major tennis championships, the scoring rules can be slightly different. For example, at Wimbledon there is no tie-break in the final set, which can lead to endless rounds of fighting. At the French Open, players also have to fight to the last man until a winner emerges with two consecutive games won.
Wimbledon:
French Open (Roland Garros):
Australian Open:
US Open: unlike other Grand Slam tournaments, a tie-break is used in every set, including the final set, making matches shorter.
Knowing the rules of scoring in tennis opens up new horizons of understanding of the game for the player and spectator. Now that the conditions no longer seem like a mystery, the enjoyment of every moment increases. Understanding concepts such as draw, game, set and tie-break makes the game even more exciting.
