The transition could be for several reasons. Perhaps the upper class Victorians wanted to enjoy this fine sport indoors when the weather got too bad to play outside. Perhaps they loved it so much that they wanted a less athletic, more social version to play inside at parties. Maybe they were just bored and feeling creative.

Whatever the reason, tennis came to the table top not in the way that we know it now. Today, table top tennis has official tables with certain dimensions and markings, specific nets made just for the sport, and paddles and balls that are regulation size and design (plus many that are not regulation but are just plain fun).

But in fact, the game was first played with very makeshift equipment. People would clear off a table large enough to have room to play, and this would be the playing surface. A dining room or parlor room table was probably lacquered with a slippery, shiny finish, adding extra challenge to the game. For the net, they would line up books from the shelf across the middle of the table. For paddles, they would remove the lid from a cigar box and hold it in their hand. And the ball? The ball would be, most commonly, the round end of a champagne cork (or sometimes a ball of string).

By 1901 the name “ping pong” had become trademarked by a sport and toy manufacturer, and high end (and also more affordable) equipment began being available for purchase.

Now in modern times, table top tennis is played on many at-home tables made specifically for the game. They are generally painted green with a white stripe down the vertical center. Handheld paddles are lined with a thin layer of rubber on both sides, and a lightweight, hollow plastic ball is used for the game. From its origin to today, the game has changed a lot, but it has certainly always been fun.

First of all, the basics. Table tennis is played on a table with a net down the middle, crossed by a single white line that divides each side of the table in half. Equipment is a lightweight, hollow plastic ball and for each player, one hand-held paddle with a thin layer of rubber on each side. Table tennis can be played one person on each side, or two people on each side.

To serve, you stand on what is your right side and aim into the opposite quarter of the table (which is the far left corner as you see it, which will be your opponent’s right half as they say it). Hold the ball still in your left hand (assuming you’re right handed) and toss it just slightly. Hit it with the paddle so it bounces first in your right half, then crosses the net and hits the table in the opposite quarter. After this, which side of the line it hits does not matter at all.

For each hit in table top tennis, the ball can bounce only one time. You can hit it before it bounces, but don’t let it bounce twice or you’ll lose the point. After it hits your paddle, it must then return to your opponent’s side of the table. It can’t bounce on your side and then go over.

Players go back and forth, and whoever messes up (by hitting it off the table, into the net, missing it, or having it bounce more than once on their side) loses the point. Scoring for table top tennis goes until 15 or 21 (whichever you choose), and a player serves 5 five points (regardless of who gets them) and then the other player serves the next five.
It’s an easy to learn and fun to play game that appeals to all ages. So jump in and have fun!