History of Table Tennis & How to Play

Modern table tennis tables are typically made from chipboard, with prices ranging from $50 to thousands for professional models. The original 'books' used as paddles have been replaced by bats with distinct black and red rubberized sides, allowing players to choose based on their shot. Balls have also become lighter, enhancing ease of hitting and bouncing.

Table tennis rules are straightforward, accommodating two or four players. A singles match is played as the best three out of five games, with the first player to score 11 points winning each game.

Table tennis, originally known as whiff waff and later ping-pong, has a history spanning over a century, thought to have begun in England during the 1880s, quickly spreading globally due to its popularity.