Difference between table tennis and ping pong

Jasper Low Asked 2 years ago

Hi pingskills, I actually used to think that table tennis and ping pong are the same game but recently I found out that ping pong was made into a competitive format in 2011. It kind of works like table tennis but the rules are different and the bats have no friction. What are your thoughts about the difference in rules and equipments between table tennis and ping pong?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago

Hi Jasper,

The World Championships of Ping Pong have branded themselves that way. It is an entertaining game to watch however, the name Ping Pong is still synonymous with Table Tennis.

I like the basics nature of what they have done. It takes away some of the technology and lengthens the rallies.

I still love the real game of Table Tennis or Ping Pong... The speed and spin that is generated is truly incredible and becoming more and more so as players progress their skills.

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kitab helon Posted 2 years ago

I think they have some significant differences in rules and equipment. For example, in ping pong, the ball must bounce on both sides of the table before each hit, and the service must be thrown at least 16 cm high. In table tennis, the ball only needs to bounce on one side of the table before each hit, and the services can be done at any height. Also, in ping pong, the bats have no rubber or sponge on them, so they have no friction or spin. In table tennis, the bats have different types of rubber and sponge on them, so they can create different effects on the ball. These differences make ping pong more unpredictable and fast-paced, while table tennis is more strategic and skillful.