• If you do forget who is supposed to be serving in the middle of a game, an easy way to find out is to look at the scoresheet and see who served first in that game. Then count up in twos (two points per server) until you reach the current game score.

• For example, imagine the score is 9-6 and you and your opponent cannot remember who is to serve. Start with either score (in this case, we'll use the 9 first), then count up by twos in this way -
  2 points for the original server at the start of the game
  2 points for the original receiver
  2 points for the server
  2 points for the receiver
  1 point for the server

  That's the full 9 points. Now continue with the other score in the same way:
  1 point for the server (carrying on from the previous score of 9)
  2 points for the receiver
  2 points for the server
  1 point for the receiver.

  Thats the full 6 points. The receiver has only had one serve, so he has one serve left.

• If the score is past 10-all, it's a lot easier to remember whose serve it is. The original server at the beginning of that game serves whenever the overall scores are equal (10-all, 11-all, 12-all etc), and the original receiver serves whenever the scores are different (ie 10-11, 11-10, 12-11, 11-12 etc).

• Remember, the winner is the first player or team to win more than half of the maximum possible games. Once a player or team has done this, the match is over and the remaining games are not played. So the possible game scores are a 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2 win in a best of 5 games match, or a 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 win in a best of 7 games match.

After the Match

• Once the match is over, remember to shake hands with your opponent and any umpires, and thank them. It is also common to shake hands with the other player's coach, if he has one. Give a sincere smile and handshake - don't follow the horrible example of some players by shaking hands with your opponent while looking in another direction - it shows a lack of respect.

• Some tournament organizers will ask you to bring the ball back to the control desk after the match. If not, don't forget to put the ball back on the table, resting against or under the net, so the next players to use the table can find it!

• Finally, check that the scores have been written down correctly, and that the actual winner has been written down. You should do this regardless of whether you have an umpire or not - you'd be surprised how often I've seen the wrong name accidentally written down as the winner!

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