Table tennis / Rule 2.13
Service order and ends
ITTF · 2026In short
Choosing the start, rotating service and changing ends.
Initial choice and service turns
A draw decides who chooses service, reception or an end; the opponent gets the remaining choice. Service changes after every 2 points, but at 10 each or under expedite it changes every 1 point. In doubles the previous receiver serves next, to the previous server’s partner.
Games and the deciding game
The opening server in a game receives first next game. In doubles, after choosing the next opening server, the receiver is whoever served to that player in the previous game. Change ends between games; at 5 in the deciding game change ends, and in doubles reverse the receiving pair’s order.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied ITTF Statutes 2026, effective 01/01/2026: the Laws of Table Tennis and selected international competition regulations. Independent condensed explanations with wheelchair exceptions identified. Administrative, disciplinary and event-specific chapters are not reproduced in full. References use PDF pages.
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