How many games are in a table tennis match

The short answer: it depends on the event, but it is always an odd number. The ITTF rules only say that a match is played as the best of any odd number of games. In practice, almost every match is best of 3, 5 or 7.

One terminology note: in table tennis, what many people call a "set" is officially a game. A game goes to 11 points, and a match is made of several games. Below you will see how many games are played in each kind of competition, how long that usually takes and why the number is always odd.

Best of 3, 5 or 7

The match ends as soon as someone reaches the games needed. In a best of 5, a 3-0 ends it and the other two games are never played.

Why the number of games is always odd

With an odd number, a match can never end in a tie. In a best of 5, the final result can only be 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2. There is no tiebreak by total points or by time: whoever wins most of the games wins the match.

How many points is each game?

Each game goes to 11 points, with a 2-point lead needed from 10-10. That is the same in every format. Details on the score and the serving order are in table tennis scoring explained.

The 11-point format dates from 2001. Before that, games went to 21, and matches were usually best of 3 or best of 5.

How long is a table tennis match?

There is no fixed time. A best of 5 between evenly matched players can run past half an hour, while a quick 3-0 can be over much sooner. The length depends on:

• number of games: a best of 7 that goes the distance takes far longer than a best of 3;
• playing styles: attackers end points fast; defenders who chop from far back create long rallies;
• breaks: up to 1 minute between games, one 1-minute time-out per player or pair, and short towel breaks every 6 points.

To stop games from dragging on forever, there is the expedite rule, which changes play when a game passes 10 minutes.

Team competition formats

In team events, each tie between two teams is made up of several individual matches, and each match has its own number of games. A common format is:

• the tie is best of 5 matches (the first team to win 3 wins);
• each match, singles or doubles, is best of 5 games.

Each event's regulations set the order of matches and whether a doubles match is included. Doubles rules, like alternating hits, are in table tennis doubles rules.

Changing ends and breaks

Players change ends after each game. In the last possible game (the 3rd in a best of 3, the 5th in a best of 5, the 7th in a best of 7), they also change ends when the first player reaches 5 points. That evens out any differences in lighting or space between the two ends.

Between games, the break is up to 1 minute. That is the time to listen to a coach, if there is one, and to towel off.

What about casual games?

At home or at the club, agree beforehand. For short sessions, best of 3 works well. When something is on the line, best of 5 is the tournament standard and leaves room for a comeback. The complete table tennis rules guide covers everything else.

Frequently asked questions